K A ZU O NAK A M U R A

Ta l k W i t h

T ER UM A SA H I N O

Giving People Love and Bringing Them Joy.
That’s Why We Are Here.
Kazuo Nakamura, Ph.D.

Founder & CEO
CMIC HOLDINGS, Co., Ltd.

Terumasa Hino
Jazz TrumpeterGiving People Love and Bringing Them Joy. That’s Why We Are Here.

Mr. Hino's paintings

KAZUO NAKAMURA

The long-term COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the very foundations ofinterpersonal interaction, forcing us to question what the essence ofcommunication is. In the U.S., if people fail, they are often given a second chance
to keep trying until they are able to get back on their feet. Japan, on the other
hand, is said to have a culture that does not tolerate failure and does not easily
let people obtain a second chance. How can Japanese society change to better
tolerate failure? Jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino has embodied the concept of art
and wellness as a truly global individual ever since he moved his base of activity
to New York in 1975 during the peak of his popularity. CEO Nakamura invited
him as a guest to listen to his story.

wanted to play jazz, so when I waswould come to feel that I hate it.

younger, I went to a jazz café inAnyway, I felt that I needed to go out

Shinjuku and stayed there for about 10

into the world with the trumpet.

hours practicing improvising with aNakamura As a matter of fact, you

single cup of coffee.

moved your base of activity to theNakamura I saw you grace the front

U.S., and you saw success in many

pages of Heibon Punch and othercountries around the world. How didmagazines right when jazz cafés wereyou feel when you left Japan?

at their peak. We were all astonished

Hino I won the Shinjuku Jazz Awards inby how cool you looked. The free-jazz

1969, and I received a round-trip ticket

musician Toshinori Kondo* was in theto the U.S. as a prize. It was my first3

Talk WithTERUMASA HINO

Nakamura I often have the chance toorder-made tap shoes from a shoe

picture for the screen door of a nearbysame band as me in the light musictime to go to the U.S. I went throughplay golf with you, and I have asked

store in Ginza and made me practicetemple when she was 15, too.

club at university. I remember often

Honolulu and San Francisco before

you to serve as the director of thetap dancing. When I was about nine

Nakamura You are also extremely

seeing him copying your style as hefinally arriving in New York. This was at

Kobuchizawa Country Club. First,

years old and my lungs started totalented at drawing. I always ask you

played at night in the club room andthe height of hippie culture. Some

could I ask you why you started goingdevelop, he gave me an old trumpetto join the judging committee for theon the cold campus during winter. Hepeople were walking through thedown this path?

and told me to practice with it. Every

Nakamura Keith Haring Collection

passed away last year, but he was theVillage half-naked while holding theirjazz club called the Five Spot Cafe,

Hino Are you talking about golf?

day, I went straight home from school

International Children’s Drawing

only person to go professional amongchildren. I could really sense the hippie

white trumpeters would come over toatmosphere. Sonny Rollins* wasus and start playing during the breakNakamura You must be joking!

and practiced trumpet for two hours. IContest. You have held many solo

our band members. I produced an(laughs) I’m talking about the trumpet.

was tooting by myself while my friends

exhibitions as well, so I can see thatoriginal CD with him called “GOING

playing in the jazz club, and I went totime. They were asking Jackie McLean

Hino Oh, the horn. (laughs) It runs inplayed outside.

you come from an artistic family.

PLACES... FOR KEITH” dedicated tohear many other jazz musicians

to use them in his band. I was amazedmy family. My father was a tap dancer

When I was in junior high school, andHino Yes, I naturally thought that thisthe late Keith Haring. This CD is filled

performing too. My strongest memory

by the U.S. and the people in it.

my father was about to leave the big

was the path for me. When I was inwith Kondo’s passion and energy.

from my first trip to the U.S. was being

band he played in at the time to join ajunior high school, I attended theamazed and moved by thedifferent band, he told me,Nihon Jazz School run by Hiroshi

performances.

“Terumasa, join the big band as the

Kamayatsu’s father, Tib Kamayatsu. My

From then on, I went to the U.S. every

third trumpeter in my place. There’s ajunior high school studies came

year. I did recordings with othergood teacher there, so learn fromsecond to that. (laughs)

people, too, and I felt that I wanted tohim.” This teacher was a man named

Nakamura How did you join the world

work in the U.S. I made up my mind

Nakamura Because you live in the U.S.,

Tsutomu Sato, the lead trumpeter ofof jazz?

and moved on June 10, 1975.

you can only spend less than half of

the Star Dusters. He played like Harry

Hino When I was a child and Satchmo

By the time I arrived, everyone alreadythe year in Japan, but I heard that you

James.* So, I went to the cabaret in(Louis Armstrong)* came to Japan, myknew that I was going to come, so I

didn’t know that and ended up having

Shinjuku every day to perform. On

father took me to the Asakusa

was invited to join Jackie McLean’s*to pay taxes.

holidays, I would go to Tamagawa byInternational Theater to watch him live.

band, and I did so. This was just after

Hino Yes. I sold my apartment in

train and practice until dusk. That was

I was amazed and filled with emotion

Woody Shaw*6 went solo, so all theShirokane to pay the tax, and everwhat I was doing every day.

to see Satchmo in real life. We had atrumpeters in New York weresince, I have been making sure not toNakamura From morning till night?

lot of jazz records at home, and as I

Nakamura Did you ever start hating

wondering who would join Jackie

spend more than 183 days in Japan

Did you ever think of quitting thelistened to them, I naturally came tothe trumpet during your professional

McLean’s band next—it turned out toeach year. (laughs)*7trumpet?

believe that I would become a jazz

career?

be me, a strange Japanese man.

Nakamura Many other topics caused aHino No. I guess I just enjoy artistic

artist.

Hino No. I felt that the world of jazz is(laughs) One thing that sticks in mybuzz, like that incident with cannabis.

things. I hear my grandma painted aI needed to be able to improvise if I

my world whatever I may do, even if I

memory: when I was performing at aHino Yes, that happened. When weand a trumpeter, so he got me some12*1 Harry James (1916–1983): An American jazz musician, trumpet player, and big band leader. He was chiefly active in the U.S. from the 1930s until the 1970s, and hebecame popular in the spheres of jazz and pop music for his elegant, sweet trumpet performances in the swing jazz style.
*2 Louis Armstrong (1901–1971): Nicknamed Satchmo. An American jazz trumpet performer, composer, and singer revered as the “king of jazz.”

45Getting a Shock inthe U.S.

*3 Toshinori Kondo (1948–2020): A Japanese trumpeter and music producer.
*4 Sonny Rollins (1930–): An American jazz saxophone player.
*5 Jackie McLean (1931–2006): A Jazz saxophone player from New York, U.S.

Everyone Should Be Givena Second Chance toChallenge*6 Woody Shaw (1944–1989): An American jazz trumpet player.

Giving People Love and Bringing Them Joy. That’s Why We Are Here.

KAZUONAKAMURA

KAZUO NAKAMURA

Talk WithTERUMASA HINO

punishment was onlypeople there.

warm sound with all my heart. But

Hino I recently composed and wrote

through diet and exercise.

suspended and that I had

Hino Yes, there was. The student’s

Japan doesn’t really return the favor. It

the lyrics for a song called “We Are All

Musicians might live recklessly while

actually been judged to befather apologized, saying that his son

makes me feel really lonely sometimes.

Bad Kids.” It has lots of lines like, “Ithey are young, but I think they growguilty. (laughs) I’ve been

was at fault. That student has grown

Nakamura There’s no vibration going

got scolded by that old man ’roundmore restrained with age. When I havethrough a lot, but fortunately

up to be a really good drummer.

on. The most important thing inthe corner” and “My dad beat me

the chance to work with you, I can see

my efforts have been

Nakamura As I see it, you did it

human relations is that if you receive aup.” The final lyric is “Let’s all bethat you really wake up early in therecognized and I even received

because you have an unparalleledgift, you need to give something back.

people who can say ’Thank you’morning to exercise and do othera medal. *8

sense of love for each student, andLife is full of both happy and sadand ’Sorry.’” Many people cannot sayactivities. You always speak to

Nakamura You never know

you engage with each and every

moments, but everyone has forgotten

these words today.

everyone so kindly as well.

what will happen in life. But, if

student earnestly every day. I could

this fact. You can’t create art simply byNakamura Communication ability hasHino I do my best to return thesomething bad happens tosense this love in you, and so I gained

criticizing others all the time. The same

truly fallen among Japanese people.

kindness that I have received fromsomeone, I’m not convinceda renewed sense of respect for yourgoes for business, too. Do you have

We need to reconsider the basics ofeveryone.

that makes themwarm, wonderful character. I think thisanything to tell the younger

communication.

Nakamura I have a concept I call art

were coming back from a concert tour

irredeemable. For example, the golferlove that flows through you is part ofgeneration, or how you would like

Hino This goes for the people whoand wellness. You obviously havein Indonesia, the drummer had stuffed

Tiger Woods was at rock bottom at

the reason why you continue toJapan to be?

lead the country as well, but adults

artistic qualities in your life, but you

some cannabis into one of the drums. I

one point in his career, but he has

captivate your many fans. I had strong

Hino I don’t think it’s good to have aneed to be role models for children inalso have fulfillment and wellbeing.

asked for a couple of bags, and hecome back and everyone is now

misgivings about how the mass media

society where younger people are notterms of saying “Thank you” andYou have all the important things ingave me some. I don’t even smoke

singing his praises. However, Japan

reported it at the time, and as a result,scolded by anyone. When I was a“Sorry” when they should.

life, and I feel you have mastered theregular cigarettes, though. My father

does not have a culture like this.

I deeply felt that Japan needed tochild, I used to get told off by otherart of living. I am also moved by yourput the bags into an empty jar and left

Failures and setbacks are a part of life,change more.

people’s fathers from thedesire to share what you have withthem there.

but Japan does not give people a

Then one day, these narcotics officers

chance to get back up again after acame stomping in there all of asingle mistake. I feel that Japan cannot

sudden. They exclaimed, “You’rebecome truly strong as a country

Terumasa Hino, right?” and I said

unless this culture changes.

“Yes,” and then the officers said that

Hino Yeah, Japan is the complete

they wanted to talk to me. My father
flushed the cannabis down the toilet

neighborhood. I often learned what I

Adults Who Cannot Say“Thank You” or “Sorry”

shouldn’t do because they scolded

Wanting to Return theKindness I Received

others as well.
I look forward to witnessing your future

me. If nobody says anything, then Iendeavors. Thank you for taking thethink we will see people doing

Nakamura You have stopped drinking,anything they want nonchalantly.

right? What brought you to make that

Hino There are many nasty people in

Nakamura Right now, our biggest

decision?

opposite. There is a culture ofthe U.S., too, but at least they will say

problem in the organization is that weHino I woke up on my 45th

attacking others, and I think there is a“Hello” when you meet them. But incannot engage in arguments.

birthday and I realized that I

right away, so they didn’t find anything,

lot of jealousy, too. In Japan, people

Japan, many people just say nothing

Supervisors are reluctant to speak up

would not be able to keep

but they accused me of illegally

get punished and are made to feel

and walk away. Maybe they arebecause they do not want theirplaying the trumpet until 80

smuggling cannabis because theshame for causing scandals. However,reluctant to open up to others.

actions to be perceived as power

if I kept drinking at this rate.

drummer had told them that he gave itin the U.S., people are praised as aNakamura I am worried that people

harassment, and their subordinates

So, I quit drinking

to me. This was the same year that the“comeback kid” for getting back onhave lost their common sense in how

do not want to displease them. That’s

completely on my 45th

punishment for cannabis possession

their feet after overcoming failure.

to communicate when meeting,the sort of atmosphere we have.

birthday.

had become stricter, so the TV andNakamura You also had a scandal

especially given the trend to stayThings look smooth on the surface,

Nakamura You makenewspapers were all going wild.

about slapping in Setagaya. The

home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

but I can’t shake the feeling thatparticular efforts to maintainIn court, the prosecution requested an

media treated it as corporal

Hino They may lack love. Giving

everyone is suffering.

your physical strength

eight-month sentence with apunishment, which shocked me

people love, bringing them joy, andthree-year suspension. I thought that

initially. However, I later came to think

bringing smiles to their faces—that’s

meant that I was judged to bethat there was a relationship of trust

why we are here, right? With this inPROFILE

innocent, but I later found out that thethat could only be understood by themind, I always aim to produce a reallyBorn in Tokyo on October 25, 1942. Started playing the trumpet at age 9. Ever since releasing his first album as a band leader in 1967, hehas been the center of attention in what was called the “Hinoteru boom.” As a fashionable musician, he engages in many different
activities, including performances in tours and festivals in Japan and abroad as well as appearing on magazine covers. In 1989, he becamethe first Japanese artist to sign with the famous Jazz label Blue Note Records. He received the MEXT Minister’ s Art Encouragement Prizein 2001. In 2004, he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, the ACA National Arts Festival Excellence Award in the recordings
category, and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Music. He has recently focused his efforts on charitable activities and teaching the nextgeneration. He also has distinguished achievements in the field of painting, with solo exhibitions and published collections. He is aninternational artist that represents Japan with unrivaled originality and artistic sense.

*7 The U.S.–Japan Income Tax Convention has a tax-exemption system for short-term residents. People are exempt from tax in the countries where they stay for a shorttime if they fulfill certain conditions, such as not staying more than a total of 183 days a year in the country of short-term residency.
*8 Terumasa Hino was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in the spring of. 2019 (Editor's note)time to talk with me today.

TERUMASA
H I NOTerumasa Hino