Takeharu Kunimoto was born on November 1, 1960, and died on December 24, 2015.

He was a prominent Japanese shamisen player

Kunimoto took interest in performing and recording traditional music

Kunimoto was also the only prominent shamisen player to perform and who had record bluegrass music.

Takeharu spent some time in the early 2000s (decade) in the bluegrass program of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

His entire performance was rock music-influenced style.

He was influenced in music, when he attended a Bill Monroe concert when he was 14 yrs old boy, by shaking the stars hand.

Takeharu Kunimoto passed away at 55 yrs old due to a acute respiratory failure.