[1][2] He was known for writing original compositions specifically for concert band, as did Toshio Akiyama and Ichitaro Tsujii,[3] but has also written many works for the flute.
[11] He was there when the city was obliterated by the atomic bomb in 1945,[11] being only 1.5 km from the epicenter of the blast and suffering horrendous injuries which were still being treated 60 years later.
[6] He has written opera, solo and ensemble pieces including many for wind band, and published many works for and about this format.
[10] Despite initially being reluctant to take up the atomic bombing as a theme in his music,[11][12] he eventually felt he had a "mission as an A-bomb victim"[12] and in 1975[12] composed the first in a series of "Prayer music",[12] the "Dirge" which was requested by[11] and dedicated to the city of Hiroshima[12] and has since been played every year on 6 August at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.
[11][12] As of 2012 he was still composing pieces in this series,[8] and has said "I have made it a personal commitment to continue creating compositions in tribute to all the victims of the atomic bomb".