Ikuko Kawai

is a classically trained Japanese violinist and composer.

Early life and education Among Kawai's favorite childhood memories are going to the cinema with her father Kiyoshi; she was captivated by film's soundtracks. She also attended the Vienna Conservatory of Music.

Career Kawai has performed both in Japan and internationally, Manami Konishi, Miyu Sakihi, Jun Shibuki, Akinori Nakagawa, Masafumi Akikawa, and Gipsy Kings. She has performed on a number of unique and rare instruments, including on the world's first glass violin (2008), on a 1715 Stradivarius owned by the University of Osaka (2021), and on a violin crafted by Francesco Rugeri. In addition to performing, she teaches at Osaka University.

Kawai composed for the films Torokko (2009), Trolley (2010), A Chorus of Angels (2016), and Midnight Bus (2017); her music is also used as the theme song for Awaiting Kirin. In 2016, she won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Music for Junji Sakamoto's film A Chorus of Angels.

She appeared on TV Tokyo's miniseries 100 Years of Music In 2022, she formed the Japanese-Western mixed orchestra Hibiki.

Kawai's songs are popular performance music among professional ice skaters: Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov performed to "Violin Muse" at the 2013 European Figure Skating Championships; Yuzuru Hanyu skated to her song "White Legend" at the 2014 Sochi Olympics; Nam Nguyen performed to "White Legend" at 2021 Skate America; Naoki Rossi skated to her music at the 2023 World Junior Figure Skating Championships; and Shun Sato performed to "Red Violin" at the 2023 International Challenge Cup.

Personal life Kawai is the single mother of a daughter, Kanon, who appeared with her onstage for the first time in The Day Embraced by the Moon / Prologue as young Gracia Hosokawa. She is also a supporter of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 2006: La Japonaese 2007: The Violin Muse: The Best of Ikuko Kawai 2008: The New World 2009: Ikuko Kawai in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall 2008～The New World～ 2009: Nature 2009: Appassionato 2010: Reborn 2015: Violin on Ice: Ikuko Kawai Best 2017: Luna 2021: Always～名曲物語～ 2023: 響 -Hibiki- (in Orchestra Hibiki) 2025: IK Best