Seizing the possibitlies with their own hands – Yamabe Taishi and Shogo Yoshii, two traditional Japanese instrumentalists
Have you heard of Yamabe Taishi and Shogo Yoshii? They are two young players of Wagakki – traditional Japanese music. They are successors of this traditional Japanese art and have played around the world. Yamabe Taishi is a taiko drummer and Shogo Yoshii plays a variety of traditional instruments.
Both are diligent in their work for the art and for the people of Japan and are important figures in delivering Japanese culture to the world through their music. They are truly valuable in handing down the traditions. And they will be playing an opening performance for MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL 2016 this month! So that you can get to know them a little better, let’s take a look at their story.
Kurashiki gives birth to a prodigy taiko drummer
Born in Kurashiki in Okayama-ken in 1988, Yamabe Taishi has been continuously recognised as part of the taiko drumming world since childhood. He was influenced by his father to begin taiko, who was a teacher of the traditional Japanese instrument. The first time Yamabe stepped onto a stage was at 3-years old. He subsequently went on to make his debut at 6-years old as a member of “Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko”, receiving practice where he could never be outdone by adults, while also gaining experience on stage.
His real talent truly shone through in 2004 where he performed at the Tokyo International Taiko Contest for the very first time. It’s a place where people from all corners of the globe gather. Competing amongst Japan’s most famous taiko drummers, Yamabe took the top prize at just 16-years old. He was called the “young taiko prodigy” (translated from: 若き天才和太鼓奏者) for his complete mastery and ability to be in complete control of his big, strong swings despite having a small stature, establishing a fast and rhythmical beat that no other taiko drummer had ever achieved.
After being presented with an art and culture award for his city of Kurashiki, he formed “Yamabe Taishi to Tenryo Taiko Ittou”, and while expanding to an international level as a pro, making his first appearance in France, he also performed at big name Japanese festivals such as “MOSTER baSH”. He’s also performing together with other instruments, paving the way for opportunity for his taiko.
A multi-instrumentalist whose work shines worldwide
Shogo Yoshii is a player of many traditional Japanese instrument. Born in Yokohama, he is able to play traditional woodwind instruments, the shinobue (Japanese flute), the kokyu (a bowed Japanese string instrument), and more.
He has been part of the internationally famous Sado taiko group “Kodo” for 10 years, and is a in charge of songwriting and performances. He has also been able to perform and compose music for concerts both inside and outside Japan since 2013 by himself, to the extent that he is the talk of the town amongst prominent musicians and performers worldwide. He appeared in the play “Babel (words)” by Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. He was in charge of the Japanese music, using instruments including taiko, fue (flute), kokyu, and even his voice. The same production took home the Laurence Oliver Award. He even performed together with legendary Japanese musician Sakamoto Ryuuichi for a concert in Japan.
Shogo even made an appearance in the ballet “Spirit” in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2013. He also worked on songwriting and performance for Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s dance piece “fractus” at the 40th anniversary of the Pina Bausch Dance Company. Not only that, Shogo was also the director of music for the Japanese event “MATSURI” in Barcelona. Amongst all of that, he even went on to create a new kind of sound together with international violinist Ikuko Kawai, fusing together Western style music with Japanese style music.
Shogo’s unique and original Japanese sound and the work he has produced continues to earn him international fans as he ties together the culture of music with culture itself.
Experience a new kind of traditional Japanese art with their two-man performance
Yamabe and Shogo actually performed together at the music concert “inifinity” back in August, which was themed around the traditional arts. It was a dream performance and was much talked about as lots of up-and-coming inheritors of wagakki all come together, including kyogen performers, traditional Japanese dancers and taiko, shamisen, fue and kokyu players,
As anticipation grows for the both of them to collaborate at “MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL 2016”, I wonder what kind of Japan they will show to us, and I wonder what they will show us the traditional Japanese art is capable of through their music? Junya Yamada who was also involved with the “infinity” music concert will be in charge once more. There is no doubt we’ll be bound to encounter a traditional Japanese art we haven’t seen before! Please be sure to not to miss out on the opportunity to see Yamabe Taishi and Shogo Yoshii collaborating together – in a performance that will most definitely touch your heartstrings!
Original Text: Naoko Sugita (SHUTTER)
Yamabe Taishi Official Website: http://www.yamabetaishi.com/
Shogo Yoshii Official Website: http://www.shogoyoshii.com/
MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL 2016: http://fes16.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/
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