Strings of Triumph: Momo’s Sixth Attempt Ends in Victory
On September 14, 2023, the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship-an event celebrating guitarists who play without a pick-was held in Winfield, Kansas.
For Momo Kimura, this was her sixth attempt at the renowned competition, and it finally brought her a well-deserved victory. The win was made even sweeter by a congratulatory message from jazz legend Herbie Hancock.In a recent interview, Momo revealed she had promised her mentor to become the world’s greatest guitarist and win a Grammy. With this championship now hers, she declared, “My next goal is a Grammy.”
During the preliminaries, Momo wowed the audience with her original pieces, “Greatest Passion” and “Ola.” She continued to impress in the finals with “PRAY” and “FireDance.” Unlike many competitors who perform cover songs, Momo chose to showcase only her own compositions.
“I wanted to lift the spirits of those around me,” she said. “When I returned to Japan, I even played my guitar at the airport with the trophy in hand. This win truly reaffirmed my joy.”
Looking forward, Momo’s ambitions are global, but her heart remains with her hometown of Amagasaki. “Amagasaki is full of potential and vibrant energy,” she shared. “I want to put it on the map through music, so people will say, ‘I’m visiting Amagasaki because of MOMO!’ Come and experience it for yourself!”
ICAP Interview with MOMO
What first inspired you to play guitar?
Momo: I grew up in Kobe, where our home was always filled with music lessons. My father, a jazz pianist, filled our lives with melodies. I started piano at three, but when I was twelve, I heard a friend of my father’s play guitar at a concert. That sound struck me like lightning. I told my dad, “I want to play guitar.”
He challenged me: “Learn the C, F, G, and D chords in an hour, and you can start.” I practiced hard and did it. After that, I was hooked, and soon began writing my own music.
By junior high, I was performing on the streets outside Sannomiya Station. In my second year, I decided I wanted to become a professional guitarist.
Did you focus solely on guitar after that?
Momo: Not exactly. In junior high, I also played softball and dreamed of going to the Olympics. My parents weren’t thrilled, but I was determined. The club’s intense training and talented teammates made me doubt if I could keep up for three years. Club rules also meant I couldn’t play guitar until after my final summer tournament. When I finally retired, my desire to play exploded. I practiced guitar relentlessly, barely sleeping. High school was tough, but softball taught me resilience and perseverance.
Tell us about your name ? and your hairstyle is quite unique?
Momo: My name comes from Michael Ende’s novel Momo, a favorite of my parents. The 1986 film adaptation featured a character with an afro, which inspired my hairstyle two years ago. In the story, Momo listens deeply and brings out people’s inner beauty. My dad sometimes jokes, “Listen more, talk less!” (laughs)
You debuted professionally in 2008, right after university. Was the Great East Japan Earthquake a turning point?
Momo: I’m from Kobe and experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as a child. A large horn fell near my sister and me while we slept, but our parents protected us.
When the Great East Japan Earthquake happened, I was devastated. I couldn’t eat for three days, questioning my purpose as a musician. Then I realized: I was born to create music. I wrote “PRAY” in response.
Before the earthquake, I focused on technical skill. Afterward, I played every note with the intention of reaching people, no matter where they were. That shift changed my career.
Now, my songs “PRAY” and “ALL FOR YOU” are featured at the Tohoku Fukumitsu Miraikan in Sendai, in a video about earthquake recovery. I’m honored my music resonates with people in Tohoku and beyond, and I hope to visit the museum soon.
You trained in New York in 2014. What was that experience like?
Momo: After the earthquake, I promised my mentor I’d become the world’s best guitarist and win a Grammy. To pursue this, I spent three months in New York, immersing myself in its vibrant art scene. I set two goals: write 100 songs and hold a solo concert in Manhattan with my name in lights. I achieved both. Keeping my promises to my mentor pushes me to grow in ways I never imagined.
What’s next for you?
Momo: I’m determined to become the world’s greatest guitarist, win a Grammy, and perform with legends like Herbie Hancock and Esperanza Spalding. Above all, I want to honor my mentor by fulfilling these promises-that’s my greatest joy.
