"Although I am basically self taught, I consider Debussy my teacher - the most important elements are colour, light and shadow"

Toru Takemitsu was a Japanese author who was mainly self-taught. Despite this, he considered the French author Claude Debussy to be his instructor. Through Debussy's music, Takemitsu learned the significance of colour, light and shadow in structure. He believed that these 3 aspects were the most essential aspects of music. Takemitsu was heavily influenced by Debussy's use of colour and light in his compositions, and he looked for to replicate this in his own work. He was also motivated by Debussy's usage of shadow, which he thought included a sense of secret and depth to the music. Takemitsu's music was heavily influenced by Debussy's, and he often utilized colour, light and shadow to create a distinct sound. Takemitsu's music was applauded for its unique sound and its capability to stimulate emotion. He was a master of creating music that was both beautiful and mystical, and his use of colour, light and shadow was a major part of this.