Eitetsu Hayashi
After 11 years of performing in a group, Eitetsu started performing solo in 1982. In 1984, he debuted at Carnegie Hall as the first Japanese taiko drum soloist and gained international acclaim. In 2000, he performed with the Berlin Philharmonic in Waldbühne, Germany, and overwhelmed an audience of over 20,000. Since then, he has performed with many symphony orchestras and artists of different genres worldwide.
Eitetsu has pioneered the field of traditionally unprecedented taiko solos, including the Odaiko solo techniques and the creation of original techniques using a set of multiple taiko drums. He has developed a new genre of "Taiko Music" to be transmitted from Japan to the world, and is active in Japan and overseas. In 2018, he performed 6 concerts in 4 cities in the Japan-Canada Friendship 90th Anniversary Tour in Canada and in October performed in the official performance of the Japan-France Friendship 160th Anniversary Japan Expo “Japonisum 2018”. This year, he worked for production and recording as a concept video production staff for the “Tokyo 2020 NIPPON Festival”.
Eitetsu contributes to a large number of large-scale dispatches for introducing Japanese drum music and culture for each International Friendship and Exchange Year for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Relations Foundation, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
He has authored many publications, including the newly refurbished version of "Ashitano Taiko Uchie" (Hatori Shoten), autobiography "Taiko Hizuki-Dokuso no Kiseki" (Kodansha), and many other articles in journals and magazines. He has received the 1997 Minister of Education Prize for Arts and Culture, the 2001 Japan Traditional Culture Promotion Award, and the 2017 Matsuo Entertainment Awards.
#TaikoCelebration2021
ACTIVITIES
Regarding the events：
Please note that there may be changes to these details. Please check the 'NEWS' page for any updates.
About Activities
There’s a wide variety of taiko drums and playing styles in Japan and around the world. When you hear “taiko conference,” you might expect lectures and workshops where an instructor imparts their knowledge and teaches technique. But WTC would like to take a different approach. At WTC, everyone will take part in “Activities” that are designed so participants can really get to know each other, by fostering exchange on a deeper level.
These activity sessions will be led by facilitators who will support participants on a journey of discovery, learning, and mutual understanding. Taiko is a captivating art form and the facilitators will share their love of taiko, encouraging participants to delve deeper into taiko and the global taiko community.
Over the course of the conference, each participant will take part in the three activities listed below.
Activity Session Types
【Activity A】
Capacity: Approx. 10 people
Content: Time for meaningful exchange in a small group where participants will get to know each other through activities centered on playing taiko and conversation.
【Activity B】
Capacity: Approx. 30 people
Content: A rare opportunity to learn about a selection of traditional Japanese performing arts.
【Activity C】
Capacity: Approx. 30 people
Content: Jam sessions using taiko and percussion instruments based on different themes. A chance for participants from around the world to enjoy an interactive experience with rhythm and sound.a
The Activity System (and how it works!)
Participants will be assigned to a route that determines their schedule. Everyone takes part in all three activities spread across the conference days.
Route 1: Activity A → Activity B → Activity C
Route 2: Activity B →, Activity C → Activity A
Route 3: Activity C → Activity A → Activity B
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When participants register for the conference, they will be assigned to a group of approx. 10 people. Each group will be assigned to a route, which they will follow together from start to finish.
Meet the Facilitators
Unlocked soon... Stay tuned!