Toru Takemitsu (武満 徹 Takemitsu Tōru, October 8, 1930 – February 20, 1996) pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ toːɽɯ] was a Japanese composer and writer on aesthetics and music theory. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu possessed consummate skill in the subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre. He is famed for combining elements of oriental and occident philosophy to create a sound uniquely his own, and for fusing opposites together such as sound with silence and tradition with innovation.