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Otasan, the "God of the Ukulele," was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor for the arts in the U.S.

（ HONOLULU, HI ） Herbert Ota ・ Ichiro （ hereafter Otasan ）, a ukulele player from Hawaii known throughout the world by the stage name "Otasan," was awarded the National Medal of Arts™ by the United States Federal Government on October 21, 2024 （ Monday ）, his 90th birthday. was awarded the National Medal of Arts by the U.S. federal government.

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given by the U.S. federal government to artists and supporters of the arts. It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or organizations that deserve special recognition for their contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and potential of the arts in the United States. Due to health reasons caused by his advanced age, it was not possible for Otasan to travel from Hawaii to Washington, DC this time, and his Medal of Honor will be delivered to Hawaii after the ceremony.
Eddie ・ with Kamae. He was fascinated with the ukulele, which his mother began teaching him when he was 7 years old, and he practiced every day until he won the KGMB Amateur Hour contest at age 9. He won the contest at the age of 9. At the age of 12, he met the late Eddie ・ Kamae, then 18, whom he would look up to as a mentor and who would become a major musical influence on him.

In 1953, Autumn joined the U.S. Marine Corps. While stationed on the mainland, in 1955 he auditioned for the popular TV show "The Ed ・ Sullivan Show" and performed "Malagueña" in front of a national audience. This made the charm and potential of the ukulele widely known throughout the United States. Later, while working at a U.S. base in Japan, Otasan was introduced to Victor's Yukihiko Haida by Eddie ・ Kamae, who came to Japan and recorded a solo ukulele record. This was the beginning of a relationship between Otasan and the Japanese entertainment industry that would last for many years to come.
After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he had served for 11 years,
Otasan returned to Hawaii and enrolled at the University of Hawaii, taking advantage of a Veterans Assistance Act benefit. After graduating in 1964, he pursued a career in music, connecting with Dan ・ McDermid ・ Sr. of Hula ・ Records, who gave him the stage name "Autasan. The singles recorded were "Suzuken no Michi" and "Mori no Michi" composed by Yukihiko Haida. McDermid released these two songs by changing their titles to "Sushi" and "Bonsai," Japanese words that have nothing to do with the songs but are easy for Americans to remember. Sushi" was a big hit in Hawaii, and Otasan's name became known throughout the state.

During the 1969's and 1980's, Otasan devoted himself to ukulele education by participating in a "School Artist" program for elementary school students, teaching ukulele at the University of Hawaii program, and giving private ukulele lessons at his ukulele studio. She also gave private ukulele lessons at her own ukulele studio. In addition to regular performances at various hotels, restaurants and lounges in Waikiki, including the Kaimana Beach Hotel, Ilikai Hotel, Queen Kapiolani Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Waikiki, she has toured the world, including the U.S. mainland, Japan, Brazil, and Canada, and has performed in concerts and workshops, and countless compositions and album recordings, Otasan's musical activities were remarkable.
1979 Ukulele Festival ・ Autasan performing on stage in Hawaii
One of the highlights of Autasan's long career was the French composer Andre ・ Popp's composition for Autasan, Song for ・ Anna," released on A&M Records in 1973, became a worldwide smash hit in 1974, selling over 6 million copies of the record. In addition to winning several Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaiian Grammy Awards, in the instrumental category, he has received the Lifetime ・ Achievement Award, was inducted into the Ukulele ・ Hall ・ of ・ Fame, and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government at the 2011 Spring Decoration Ceremony. In addition, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government at the 2011 Spring Decoration Ceremony.

The President's conferral of the National Order of Arts, which coincidentally came on his 90th birthday, prompted Otasan to say, "I am very honored to receive the Order of the Rising Sun. "It is a great honor to have lived so long. I would like to thank my family for supporting me, my fans all over the world, everyone who nominated me, and God in Heaven and my ancestors for their support."
About the National Order of Arts ：
National Order of Arts （ National ・ Medal ・ Of ・ Arts ） is the highest award given by the U.S. federal government to artists and supporters of the arts. It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or organizations deserving special recognition for their contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and potential of the arts in the United States. Nominations are submitted to the Advisory Committees of the National Council on the Arts （ National Council on the Arts ） and the National Endowment for the Arts （ National Endowment for the Arts ） from which the President of the United States Recommended to the White House for award.
The medal, designed by sculptor Robert ・ Graham, is presented by the President to each recipient at the White House.
https://www.arts.gov/honors/medals
https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/president-biden-award-national- medals-arts

Photo Credit: Tina Mahina