1930 Born in Tokyo on 8 October. 1948 Began to study composition with Yasuji Kiyose, though remained basically self-taught. 1950 Debut with the piano piece "Lento in due movimenti". 1951 Founded, together with other composers and artists, the "Experimental Workshop", a mixed-media group which soon became known for its avant-garde multi-media activities. 1956 Composed film music for "Crazed Fruit/Juvenile Passions" directed by Ko Nakahira. 1957 Gained public recognition as a composer with his "Requiem" for strings, which Igor Stravinsky declare to be a masterpiece. 1967 Compased "November Steps", for biwa, shakuhachi and orchestra. 1970 Musical director of a theatre project ("Space Theater of Street Pavilion") on the occasion of the world exhibition EXPO 1970 in Osaka 1973 Established and directed "Music Today" series. 1985 Awarded the 11th Los Angels Film Critics Association Award with "Ran". 1995 Named Artistic Director of the Tokyo Opera City Cultural Foundation. 1996 Died in Tokyo on 20 February.