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Memorial Presentation at Dr. Kataoka's Funeral
Yumihito Kataoka, Dr. Kataoka's Son
Matsumoto, Japan
15 January 2004
Translated and Delivered by Céline Carol Browning
Ogden, Utah, USA

I sincerely thank all of you for attending Dr. Haruko Kataoka's funeral despite your busy schedules. Moreover, I appreciate the many generous offerings and flowers of grievance.

Although my mother appeared to be her usual composed self until the 10 Piano Concert on the 16th of November of last year, there were many days from the end of September when she would complain of stomach discomfort and not eat at all.

By the end of November she had entered the hospital and was informed that she had stomach cancer. Though the progression of her cancer was rapid, she always had the Suzuki Method in mind, and continued giving guidance to the piano teachers.

By the end of the year her condition had stabilized and she was allowed to return home. Once the New Year came, she said, "I have turned everything over to the piano teachers" and ceased to talk about work thereafter.

On January 8th she told each member of our family, "Thank you" and spent a day of very little pain. The night before she passed away, she responded joyfully to my sister's words, "Good night, see you tomorrow. " She left us on the morning of the 9th. She seemed to be very peaceful.

Similar to your many kindnesses extended to my mother before she passed away, though we do not compare to her, we hope that you will extend your kindness to those of us who survive her.

I sincerely appreciate your attendance today. Following the ceremony, we have prepared a space for you to reminisce about her life and the many memories you have of Dr. K. I hope that many of you will attend.

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY
The funeral for Kataoka Sensei was held in Matsumoto on Wednesday, January 15, in a large funeral hall. According to Buddhist tradition, the viewing and the cremation had taken place beforehand.
Over 400 people were in attendance. Many of the mourners were current and former students and their families and teachers of Suzuki Piano Basics. Among these teachers were seven from the United States (Bruce Anderson, Florida; Elizabeth Armour, Tennessee; Leah Brammer, Georgia; Karen Hagberg, New York; Fumi Kawasaki, California; Linda Nakagawa, California; and Vicki Seil, Arizona) and one from Holland (Huub de Leeuw). Two other Americans, Masako Nishiyama, a parent from Sacramento, California, and Celine Browning, former resident of Japan and a longtime student of Kataoka Sensei, also attended.

The funeral hall was filled with floral arrangements from individuals and Suzuki organizations from all over the world whose names were written on plaques hung at the sides of the room. A large photograph of Sensei and the urn on the funeral altar were surrounded by massive banks of pink and white flowers. On the floor in front of the altar were chairs for seven priests and monks who chanted and played drums, gongs, cymbals and bells.

The service began with a short speech by the concert pianist, Seizo Azuma, who was a student of Kataoka Sensei from the age of five. After he spoke, Mr. Azuma performed three pieces: the first by the 20th century Spanish composer, Frederico Mompou, and the other two by Chopin (the famous Funeral March and the third movement of the Third Piano Sonata). Following this solemn and highly moving performance, the monks and priests chanted and played the instruments for quite a long time. Sensei's name could be heard periodically inserted into their ancient Buddhist text.

Following the chanting, several people gave speeches. The Mayor of Matsumoto, the Director of the Talent Education Institute, a longtime personal friend, a medical student who studied piano with Sensei since early childhood, her 11-year-old granddaughter, and Karen Hagberg all spoke. At the end, Keiko Nozawa, one of the Matsumoto teachers who has worked most closely with Sensei, read around 10-15 messages that had been received from individuals and organizations worldwide.

After the speeches, all in attendance were invited to offer incense and prayers at several stations at the front of the room. When this offering was completed, Sensei's son, Yumihito Kataoka, expressed the gratitude of the entire family for everybody's presence and invited us all to a dinner/reception downstairs. The family ceremoniously carried the photograph, urn, and food offering to the reception hall, where a shrine was set up. Sensei's presence was deeply felt by us all.

During the reception, members of the family spoke individually to all attendees, expressing their thanks. We were given memorial gifts, and many of us left with bunches of flowers and boxes of sweets from the altar.

According to Buddhist custom, Sensei's ashes will remain at her son's residence in Matsumoto for 49 days, after which they will be interred in Tokyo at the site of her father's grave.

Reported by Karen Hagberg