The College Women's Association of Japan is already preparing for its 50th anniversary print show in October. Proceeds from this show each year are allocated to CWAJ's scholarship and education fund. Most beneficiaries are female graduates of different nationalities planning advanced studies in Japan or overseas. Some beneficiaries are men and women with visual impairment.

Takashi Kikuchi falls into this latter category. In 1999 he received a two-year CWAJ scholarship for the visually challenged to study abroad. He is now a research associate at the Royal College of Music in London. He is also a concert violist. He cannot speak too highly of CWAJ. "All the members are well educated and experienced. They come from many different countries, and have a wide range of background, language and occupation. They have humor. They have supported me linguistically, musically and financially for about 20 years," he said.

In turn, members of CWAJ cannot speak too highly of him. They acclaim his superior qualities of thoughtfulness, intelligence and articulation. He has a sharp memory, and admirable aspirations. With his guide dog, he is an international traveler, confident and able.

He began studying the viola, the violin and piano at an early age. When he was a student at the Tsukuba National School for the Blind, he received English lessons. In addition he attended events organized for the students by CWAJ volunteers. "Those events were educational, and also very enjoyable, great fun," he said. "All the time English was the strong motivation. Those events contributed enormously to our lives." CWAJ programs include English-language services for returnee children and foreign students here as well as for people with visual impairment.

Kikuchi went on to study the viola at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He received his master's degree in 1995. For his doctoral work, he became an affiliated student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, researching European and British viola repertoire.

Kikuchi said: "Since then, I have established myself as a performer and researcher in England. Quality of life is important to us all, and I am living happily and comfortably in London." One of his current research projects at the Royal College of Music concerns visually impaired musicians in England. He helps with Braille music classes for both adults and children. He advises on musical examination conditions, and assists with production of Braille music for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. This board is the examining authority assessing musical performances in the U.K. and internationally. He said: "This work gives me great opportunities to put my experiences to good use. I can also pay back my debt to the community by helping visually impaired students learn, and by improving their access to musical achievement."

Kikuchi values good communication between people. He said: "Language is the greatest form of communication, and I believe that language and music share a similar learning process. We listen to each other, we express ourselves, we take time to practice." In continuing his research into the British viola repertoire he said: "It is always interesting for me to investigate the inspirational and communicative relationships between composer and performer, in this grand tradition. It is a great pleasure for me that one British composer has become interested in me and has begun writing a new work for me, which I hope to perform."

Kikuchi says that he tries to maintain a fluid schedule, wanting to keep a balance between his two countries. "I want to contribute to cultural exchange," he said. He also tries constantly to tackle something new. He is working on computer technologies, and says he is surrounded by many helpful friends with innovative ideas.

Kikuchi came to Tokyo recently to give a viola concert as CWAJ's 50th print show kickoff event. In his presentation he delivered a speech as well as performing, an individual style he is developing. "I benefited from CWAJ, and am now enabled to help others," he told his audience.

CWAJ will hold its annual scholarship luncheon on May 18, an occasion for members to meet the scholars. This year 11 scholarships are to be awarded to Japanese women going to study overseas, to non-Japanese women continuing their postgraduate studies in Japan, to language students and to visually impaired students.