Taiko Performer, composer, producer Yamabe Taishi

Born in 1988 in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, grew up surrounded by the sound of Taiko, hereafter, “Japanese drum” performed by his father, and that of piano by his mother.

He has been practicing Taiko from 3 years old, and his first performing on stage was only at the age of 6 years old.

In 2004 he took part in Tokyo International Wa Taiko contest Big Taiko category, and he was awarded Best performance award as the youngest winner as ever.
So, he got attention as the title of "once-in-a-half century talent.

With a unique sense of rhythm and outstanding technical skills, he has garnered great attention.

His activity is not only Japanese Taiko but also he actively jumped into music industry and started collaborating together with many Japanese representative music performers such as Hiroshi Itsuki, Fuyumi Sakamoto, KYARY PAMYU PAMYU, and SPYAIR.
He appeared on stage of Fuerza Bruta performed in Japan under the name of “WA!”, this Fuerza Bruta stage drew audiences totaling 5,000,000 people in 30 countries. This stage “WA!”had a long run of about 400 times, and fascinated a lot of audiences.

He released Album “TAISHI” in March 2019.

He has widened his musical activity by producing the stage of “Pantarei” in 2023, “Mebaeizuru”of Iyasaka Project and other stages in addition to his performances.

He has created Japanese pop music including Taiko sound, and been pursuing Taiko’s new aspects and probability, then remaining wonderful Japanese songs along with creating Japanese performing state. He is the one of the best Japanese Taiko performers and creators that Japanese should be proud of.

Main Activity

2000

Performed with Hiroshi Itsuki on the program “Ikkini Pradise” broadcasted by NHK.

Performance in Paris France (La Cigale / Centre Pompidou)

2002

Performed in Normandie France at “Caen Universal Exposition Japanese Category”

2003

Performed in Paris France at “Festival to Pray for Peace for Children”

2004

Performed in Paris France at “Vincent Willem van Gogh 150’Anniversary”

2007

Performed “KANSAI SUPER SHOWS ship of sun” produced by Kansai Yamamoto

2008

Performed in Ise “Ise Shrine Naiku Kaguraden”

2010

Performed in Istanbul Turky “European Capital of Culture 2010”

2015

Performed in Outside rock festival “MONSTER baSH 2015” in Sanuki Mannou National Park

Instructed to Wrestler Nobuhiko Takada in the beginning of TV“RIZIN FIGHTINGWORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015”

2016

Performed in “Taiwan Taiko Spring Concert”

Performed in Outside rock festival “MONSTER baSH 2016” in Sanuki Mannou National Park

Performed in“Infinity” in Maihama amphitheater

2017

Work as a part time professor of Senzoku gakuen music university

Instructed to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in the beginning of TV “Taiko”at“KPP JAPAN IYAHOI TOUR 2017”

Performed in Tokyo “Fuerzabruta WA! - Wonder Japan experience –”

2018

Performed in “No title music festival” broadcasted Asahi TV network, “Music concert by violinist” guest Ikuko Kwai,

Performed in SPYAIR 10000 people’s outside rock festival “JUST LIKE THIS 2018”

Performed in Meiji Shinto Shrine to celebrate Niiname-sai Festival (in November)

Performed in Singapore “STAR ISLAND SINGAPORE COUNTDOWN EDITION”

Performed in Iyasaka project “traditional Japanese musical instruments Yokohama concert”

2019

First album “TAISHI” was released/started release memorial concert.

Performed in Iyasaka project “WARAKU Souden Tokyo perfoemance”

2020

Performed in streaming serviced concert “Ichitaro Nakamura × Ukon Onoue ART Kabuki”

Performed NHK renowned Drama “Kirin ga Kuru”

2021

Performed in NHK renowned Drama “Seiten o Tuke”

Performed in “ART Kabuki MUSIC LIVE in Saiku - Short night・Heian no Yashiro -

Performed in “22th appreciate for Japan Taiko festival”

2022

Performed “KOBE COLLECTION SPECIAL SHOW”

Performed in Iyasaka project “WarakuSouden Asakusa perfoemance”

Performed in “23th appreciate for Japan Taiko festival”

2023

Performed in “Spring Kabuki concert of succession to Danjuro Ichikawa's name program SANEMORI”

Performed “GMO SONIC 2023”

Performed in “CINEMA KABUKI TOUKENRANBU Tsukino Tsurugi Enishi no Kirinoha”

Performed in “TOMIOKA Silk Fantasia”

Performed in Iyasaka project “Mebae Izuru Asakusa concert”

Performed for the first time of “ Pantaley”

Performed and produced in “24th appreciate for Japan Taiko festival”

2024

Performed in “GMO SONIC 2024”

Performed in Iyasaka project “Mebae Izuru Kurashiki concert”

Performed and produced in “25th appreciate for Japan Taiko festival”

Awarded

2001

Sanyo news agency “MOMOTRO Award”

2004

Tokyo international Wa Taiko contest in big taiko category, Best performance award.

2005

Kurashiki Art culture promotion award, second prize

2010

Fukutake culture promotion award

2011

Okayama Award 2011 special traditional art award

2019

Kurashiki culture organization promotion award