Pioneering Japanese free improvisation guitarist. Born December 22, 1932 in Tokyo, turned professional in 1951, and formed the first of many groups with the New Direction moniker in 1954. Was a leading member of every avant-garde movement in Japanese jazz from the fifties onwards. Towards the end of his life Takayanagi moved into complex 'Action Direct' works for tabletop guitar, tapes and electronics that verge on pure noise in their intent. Died June 23, 1991.