Thanks Eddy.
Like many 'contemporary' composers, Takemitsu started out being quite radical and avant-garde, and later mellowed towards a more personal and traditional style. Being a pacifist, he loathed Japan's militaristic history culminating in WW II, and it took him a very long time to get to grips with the native music of his country. I'm glad he did eventually. I find even his dissonants intensely beautiful.