Yes, I am a baritone. I'm 70 now but last year I gave a recital of Japanese songs. After performing western opera, I realized the importance of bringing the drama to the audience by doing opera in Japanese. My ambition has been to create a national opera using the national language, with drama expressed through Japanese body language. During the past 40 years, the Nihon Opera Kyokai has premiered 28 new operas, including notable successes such as Shunkinsho and Tenshu Monogatari.
Many people now recognize the importance of Japanese opera.
Gradually we have been creating a style for singing Japanese opera. I am proud of this.