Particularly when Tomoko was young, she participated in several piano performance competitions. Besides the regional competitions, Tomoko had the honor Tomoko had the honor to participate in the Long-Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris, which promoted classical music. This biennial contest was
created in 1943, in the midst of World War II.
The following year she entered her most memorable
international competition: the 1968 Queen Elizabeth International Piano
Competition. First
of all, this Queen did not rule in England. She was born in Bavaria, and was
the wife of Belgium’s King Albert I. This Queen Elisabeth as a patron of the
arts and set up the competition in 1937, only to have it interrupted by
World War II. In 1951 it was
re-activated and named in honor of the queen.
A more recent international award is the program of
Excellence Piano Awards, which awards piano solos, duos and trios from around
the world. Categories include classical, jazz, film music, minimalist, pop
covers and original compositions. Unlike Tomoko who had to fly to these
international competitions, current competitors submit their recorded performances
online.
The website Musical Chairs (https://www.musicalchairs.info/piano/competitions)
lists national and international piano competitions for performers of classical
music.
Tomoko’s daughter also completed professionally – in ice
dancing. She won several awards nationally, and even competed in the 2002
Winter OIympics.
When asked why she did such competitions, Tomoko replied, “Humans need competition. Pressure transforms to energy.” She
continued, “Enjoy life with its challenges – then succeed.”
