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
WTC TALKS
WTC 2020
We have a variety of taiko speakers from across the globe!
Watch, learn, and join us with YOUR story!
WTC Premium Talks
About WTC Premium Talks:
We will be releasing videos of a special lecture and exclusive WTC talks on 3 topics by guest speakers in various fields whose stories you rarely get to hear! They will speak about the possibilities and challenges of taiko from their own perspectives. Please stay tuned!
Scheduled Video Release Date: Early November
Special Lecture
Taiko by Eitetsu Hayashi
Eitetsu Hayashi is a pioneer taiko soloist who has given many historic performances throughout the world. Through his unique stage expression and appearances with numerous leading artists, he has spread the existence of staged taiko worldwide. Furthermore, his performance style has become the standard in the world of taiko; his impact is immeasurable. In this Premium Talk, we take a closer look at these taiko expressions by Eitetsu Hayashi.
Topic 1
【TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART】
Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
Roughly half a century since the creation of the form of taiko known as "kumi-daiko," it has become common for performances to take place in theater halls for an admission fee; however, it is rare for these expressions to be critiqued in the same manner as other performing arts, such as classical music, ballet, kabuki, and Noh, and it would be difficult to say that taiko is regarded in similar esteem as a genre of performing arts. In this Premium Talk, we discuss the development of taiko as a performing art along with the possibilities and challenges of further development.
Topic 2
【TAIKO and INCLUSIVITY】
Taiko and accessibility: How inclusion connects communities
Many taiko players can attest that the physical and emotional effects of playing taiko often improves other areas of our lives. In an effort to share these benefits with people who have limited opportunities for taiko engagement, groups around the world are discovering effective and innovative methods of promoting inclusivity for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and abilities. This panel will feature groups who are overcoming accessibility barriers and connecting communities through shared taiko experiences.
Topic 3
【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】
The Value of Taiko in Multicultural Societies
The presence of taiko at Japanese festivals has stimulated the region and fostered community bonds. Taiko has also played a role in maintaining and strengthening bonds in communities of Japanese immigrants. The non-verbal understanding produced by taiko enhances social consideration and mutual mindfulness within these communities. This Premium Talk considers the social potential of taiko in modern societies where multiple cultures coexist while tolerance is waning.
Taiko Community Video Forum: Share Your Story about Taiko!
Thank you for all of your submissions! The deadline has now passed, and we hope you enjoy all of the wonderful shared contents on the WTC website and Youtube page!
For this forum, we asked everyone to share their thoughts and experiences based on 3 topics below.
We wanted to introduce people around the world to the things that people felt, experienced, and challenged themselves through taiko. Although it has become difficult now to gather and perform taiko together, we hope people around the world can continue to connect through taiko.
We thank everyone who shared their story!
Topic 1
[TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART]
Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
What kind of taiko do you picture when you think of taiko as a performing art? The world of taiko is simple yet deep, involving "uchikomi" and "ma," as well as physicality and spirituality. Please share with us a passion that you could go on about all night long.
For example:
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What is the appeal of taiko that differentiates it from other percussion instruments? Why did you choose taiko? What potential do you see in taiko?
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"Uchikomi" is one of the attractions of taiko, but what exactly is "uchikomi"? Does it refer to making a large noise? Or is it something beyond that?
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Taiko was elevated from a local performing art to an act of creativity, and it spread from Japan to the world. What is the relationship between you and taiko, and what role did Japan's culture, which taiko is deeply rooted in, play in that relationship?
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Share any memorable collaborations or performances, and performance videos as well, of course!
Topic 2
[TAIKO and INCLUSIVITY]
Taiko and accessibility: How inclusion connects communities
The joys and challenges of practicing taiko can lead to personal growth and social connection. As our taiko community develops and shares methods for inclusion, more people are experiencing the positive effects of taiko on our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Please share with us your group’s journey of overcoming barriers and establishing new methods to promote accessibility, how inclusive practices bring a sense of empowerment to you and your group, or how engagement with taiko has improved other areas of your life.
For example:
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Innovative instruction methods, experiences, and future prospects
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Experiences and reactions of sharing taiko with people who have not previously had opportunities for engagement
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Experiences of physical or emotional transformation as a result of playing taiko
Topic 3
【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】
The Value of Taiko in Multicultural Societies
Although "community" may not elicit a sense of familiarity, "taiko friends" probably feel very close. Outside of Japan, individual circles of taiko friends are growing beyond the frame of groups. Please introduce yourselves and your groups to "taiko friends" across the world!
For example:
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Introduce yourself to taiko friends around the world!
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Talk about your love for local taiko and festivals!
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How are taiko activities connected to your region?
The taiko community is spreading to various corners of the world. To celebrate the very first World Taiko Conference, let everyone hear your voice! Please introduce yourself and your group to the global taiko community!
Live Talk Sessions
We will have a lineup of international taiko artists to talk live on their perspectives on the topics, based off of the numerous talks that were shown beforehand. Get excited for the panelist line up because this can only happen at WTC!
Please look forward to it!
Live Streaming Schedule：
(Japan Stadard Time +9GMT)
Nov. 21 (Sat)
14:45~15:00 WTC Opening Session
15:00~16:30 Live TALK Topic 3:
【 TAIKO and COMMUNITY】 <GLOBAL>
The Value of Taiko in Diverse Societiess
19:30~21:00 Live TALK Topic 3:
【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】 <LOCAL>
The Value of Taiko for Community Building
Nov. 22 (Sun)
9:00~10:30 Live TALK Topic 1:
【TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART】
Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
12:30~14:00 Live TALK Topic 2:
【TAIKO and INCLUSIVITY】
Taiko and accessibility: How inclusion connects communities
16:00~17:00 Special Live Talk with Eitetsu Hayashi : WTC Theme Song
17:00~17:15 WTC Closing Session
Free LIVE steam from our WTC YouTube Channel!
We will have a lineup of international taiko artists to talk live on their perspectives on the topics, based off of the numerous talks that were shown beforehand. Get excited for the panelist line up because this can only happen at WTC!
Please look forward to it!
Live Talk Session schedule will be announced soon!
Special Live Talk: WTC Theme Song
Eitetsu Hayashi
Tokyo Prefecture/ Solo Artist
Nobuyuki Nishimura
Tokyo Prefecture/NOBU
Topic 1
【TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART】
Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
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Chieko Kojima
Niigata Prefecture/ Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo
Kenny Endo
U.S.A./Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble
Taishi Yamabe
Tokyo Prefecture/ Solo Artist
Kaoly Asano
Tokyo Prefecture/ Gocoo
Yoshihiko Miyamoto
Tokyo Prefecture / Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten
Topic 2
【TAIKO and INCLUSIVITY】
Taiko and accessibility: How inclusion connects communities
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Yeeman Mui
(ManMan)
U.S.A. / Taiko Together
Atsushi Sugano
Niigata Prefecture/ Kodo Cultural Foundation
Peter Hewitt
United Kingdom / CCS Taiko
Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
Shizuoka Prefecture / Fugaku kai
Sydney Shiroyama
U.S.A. / TaikoIN’
【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】
The Value of Taiko in Diverse Societies
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Topic 3
Roy Hirabayashi
U.S.A. (California)
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The Value of Taiko for Community Building
Yoshitaka Kinoshita
Chiba Prefecture／Narita Taiko Festival
Asumi Nishida
Chiba Prefecture/College Taiko Association
Junpei Yamada
Aichi Prefecture/ Yamada Junpei x Nekkyo Dagaku
Tateito Yokoito LLC.
Miyagi Prefecture/ Tateito Yokoito LLC.
Taizo Kobayashi
Shimane Prefecture/ Kobayashi Kobo
Yui Kamiya
U.S.A., Aichi Prefecture
Tadashi Hasegawa
Oita Prefecture / Toyo no Kuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko
Lucas Muraguchi
Brazil / Isshin Daiko
Miaochum Wang
Taiwan / Taiwan Taiko Foundation
Derek Oye
U.S.A./ Taiko Community Alliance
Jonathan Kirby
United Kingdom / European Taiko Conference, Kagemusha Taiko