Wadaiko artist, Okinawa, Japan
Ryota Kanazashi
金刺凌大Wadaiko (Japanese taiko) artist
Ryota Kanazashi plays, composes for and teaches wadaiko, the Japanese drum. Based in Okinawa, he has performed in 18 countries since turning professional in 2001.
About
Born in Tokyo, Ryota began playing wadaiko at the age of ten. In 2001, while studying theatre at university, he started his professional career with Ha-ya-to, a wadaiko unit of three brothers.
Alongside the drum he has trained in Japanese classical dance, Noh and the music of Kabuki. He performs solo and with the groups Ha-ya-to, Himukashi, FKB (with Tsugaru-shamisen champion Kazuhiro Fukui) and Soranari (wadaiko, shinobue flute and voice), and works across genres with accordion, erhu, guitar and flute players.
In 2016 he moved to Okinawa. In 2018 he led HAYATO DRUM MASTERS through a 12-show tour of Spain as performer and musical director.
He directs Kotonoha, a wadaiko school in Okinawa and Tokyo, and is a guest instructor at the Mugen Dojo in Mülheim, Germany.
- 25yearsProfessional career
since 2001 - 18countriesPerformances in Asia, Africa,
Europe and the Pacific - Tokyo Dome
Nippon BudokanMajor venues in Japan,
including Nagoya Dome
What he can bring
- Concert performanceFestivals, concert halls, ceremonies and cultural programs. Solo, or with an ensemble.
- Workshops and masterclassesFor taiko groups, schools and universities, from first-time players to experienced ensembles.
- Composition and musical directionNew pieces for wadaiko, and musical direction for staged productions.
- CollaborationWork with musicians, dancers and other artists across genres.
FormatsSolo ／ Ha-ya-to ／ Himukashi ／ FKB ／ Soranari
International work
| Year | With | Work | Organizer or support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Ha-ya-to | Pacific tour: Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea | The Japan Foundation |
| 2006 | Ha-ya-to | Africa tour: Senegal, Egypt, Sudan | The Japan Foundation |
| 2009 | Himukashi | India tour: Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai | The Japan Foundation |
| 2010 | Himukashi | Turkey tour | |
| 2014 | Wakon Gakusho | Africa tour: Morocco, Senegal, Gabon | The Japan Foundation |
| 2016 | Ha-ya-to | Sri Lanka | |
| 2016 | Ha-ya-to | Africa tour: Angola, Mozambique, Malawi | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |
| 2018 | Soranari | Germany: workshop and concert | |
| 2018 | Ha-ya-to | Spain tour, 12 performances, marking 150 years of Japan-Spain diplomatic relations. Performer and musical director. | The Japan Foundation grant program |
| 2019 | Soranari | Germany: workshop and concert | |
| 2023 | Solo | Germany: intensive workshop with Mugen Taiko | |
| 2024 | Solo | Germany: intensive workshop with Mugen Taiko | |
| 2024 | Ha-ya-to | Spain and France tour | The Japan Foundation grant program |
| 2025 | Soranari | Dharamsala, India: dedication performance at the birthday ceremony of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama | |
| 2025 | Ha-ya-to | Bulgaria tour | |
| 2026 | Solo | Germany: intensive workshop with Mugen Taiko |
In Japan
Opening ceremony of the Major League Baseball season opener at Tokyo Dome (2008). Appearances at Nippon Budokan and Nagoya Dome. Main shows aboard the cruise ships Pacific Venus, Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji. Television and radio including NHK, TBS, TV Tokyo and TOKYO FM. Lectures at Meiji University, Kyoritsu Women's University and Chiba University.
Has performed with or supportedMomoiro Clover Z ／ Arashi ／ Chiaki Ishikawa ／ Yuzu (recording) ／ Wagakki Band ／ Souun Takeda ／ Hidekatsu
Watch
Inquiry
For performances, workshops, commissions and collaborations outside Japan, please write in English or Japanese. An early idea is enough to start a conversation. We reply by email, usually within 3 days.
We correspond in English by email. For calls, meetings and work on site, our working language is Japanese.
Visiting Okinawa? Try a wadaiko session with Ryota in Nanjo City.