Takemasa Ishikura
September 10, 1955 – August 8, 2025
Takemasa Ishikura, beloved husband, father, mentor, and community leader, passed away peacefully in the hospital on August 8, 2025, at the age of 69. Born in Tokyo’s historic Koishikawa–Kōrakuen neighborhood, he was proud to call himself a true Edokko, a spirit he carried with him throughout his life.
From an early age, Takemasa was drawn to the beat of the taiko drum. His lifelong passion began when, as a boy, he saw his older brother performing atop a yagura during a Bon dance—surrounded by the crowd, looking impossibly cool to his younger brother’s eyes. By age eight, he was already performing, and taiko would remain at the center of his life for more than six decades.
In 1983, he began performing at the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT, Walt Disney World, where he later founded the renowned taiko troupe Matsuriza. With Matsuriza as its base, his work extended to festivals, celebrations, and cultural events across the United States. Beginning in 1986, he also performed for over two decades at Rangetsu, a distinguished Japanese restaurant in Orlando, whose warm hospitality and enduring support became an important part of his professional life. In addition, for more than 20 years he helped bring taiko to children at a local Montessori school, with students performing annually at the Orlando Japan Festival. In 2003, he established Orlando Taiko Dojo, a non-profit group dedicated to teaching, performing, and volunteering. The group performed at a wide variety of venues, including the Asian Cultural EXPO, nursing homes, U.S. military facilities, NASA, and several Walt Disney World Marathon events such as the Princess Half Marathon.
Beyond the stage, Takemasa served the Japanese community in Central Florida. He was principal of the Orlando Japanese Language School from 2002 to 2005 and founding president of the Japan Association of Orlando (JAO), chairing the Orlando Japan Festival since 2001. Under his leadership, the Festival grew into one of the largest Asian cultural events in the area and has continuously raised funds to support disaster relief in Japan, the Philippines, and the United States.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to cultural exchange and community building, Takemasa received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation of Japan in 2015. His achievements were celebrated again during an award ceremony at the Orlando Japan Festival, honoring his efforts to foster Japan–U.S. friendship. In May 2025, during Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Congressman Darren Soto delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, which were entered into the Congressional Record, acknowledging Takemasa’s contributions to Central Florida.
Though taiko was both his profession and his passion, Takemasa had many other loves. He was playful in spirit, a lifelong admirer of the ocean who surfed in his youth, and also loved golf, both playing and watching. In later years, he enjoyed following baseball. The name “Matsuriza” reflected his belief that life should always carry the energy and joy of a festival—lifting the hearts of those who came to watch.
Takemasa is lovingly remembered by his wife, Yuko, and his daughters, Keiko and Mayuko, as well as countless friends, students, and community members whose lives he touched.
A memorial service with taiko performances in his honor will be held on August 26, 2025.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Ishikura family through this contribution. Your kind thoughts and support during this difficult time mean so much to us. Thank you for being here with us. https://gofund.me/df21623a