Ise Taiko Gathering: About the Instructors

Kaoly Asano

Kaoly Asano, founder of the groundbreaking ensemble GOCOO and its taiko school TAWOO Taiko Dojo, discovered her calling the moment she first encountered taiko—a visceral feeling of returning “home.” A visionary artist, she has redefined the art form through her “tribal taiko” style, a dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation that pulses with communal energy, resonating with audiences from Tokyo’s intimate venues to global stages like Europe’s massive SZIGET Festival.

Kaoly’s creative reach extends beyond live performance: her electrifying rhythms feature in Hollywood blockbusters like “The Matrix Reloaded,” and she was one of the featured artists in the landmark HERbeat concert and award winning documentary “Finding Her Beat” that highlighted her position as one of Japan’s foremost female taiko performers. A sought-after educator, she has led workshops worldwide, including the 2019 kaDON Retreat, inspiring students to embrace taiko as a tool for liberation and self-expression. For Kaoly, the drum is more than an instrument—it’s a heartbeat that unites us all, inviting everyone to move freely, fiercely, and unapologetically.

Check out GOCOO: https://jp.gocoo.tv/?page_id=5793

Masataka Kobayashi

Masataka’s Bonten captivates audiences with its vibrant fusion of taiko, traditional instruments (shinobue, shakuhachi, shamisen, koto), and modern piano, crafting a unique and colorful sound. Under Masataka’s direction, Bonten’s performances have enchanted audiences worldwide cultivating a growing fan base in the US, Europe and Southeast Asia.

A global ambassador for Japanese drumming, Masataka has led Bonten on tours across Japan, the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, earning acclaim for their genre-defying collaborations with J-Pop artists, classical ensembles, and kabuki performers. With six albums and over 50 original compositions, Bonten’s repertoire reflects Masataka’s creativity and passion for taiko. For over two decades, he has redefined taiko’s possibilities, proving the drum’s power to unite past and present, East and West.

Check out Bonten: https://www.bonten-taiko.com/

Taishi Yamabe

Taishi Yamabe, born in Kurashiki, Japan, was steeped in rhythm from childhood—his father’s thunderous taiko and his mother’s piano melodies shaping his artistic DNA. As a prodigy, he began drumming at age three and took the stage by six, foreshadowing a career that would redefine taiko’s boundaries. At just 16, he made history as the youngest winner of the Tokyo International Odaiko Contest, hailed as a “once-in-a-generation talent” for his electrifying technique and inventive rhythms.

A visionary straddling tradition and modernity, Taishi collaborates with icons like enka legends Hiroshi Itsuki and Fuyumi Sakamoto, J-pop phenom KYARY PAMYU PAMYU, and rock band SPYAIR. His global reach soared with WA!, a fusion of taiko and avant-garde theater for Fuerza Bruta, which captivated 5 million audiences across 30 countries through 400 performances. Beyond the stage, he produced groundbreaking works like Pantarei (2023) and Mebaeizuru (Iyasaka Project), while his 2019 album TAISHI and original pop compositions weave taiko into contemporary soundscapes.

Learn more about Taishi Yamabe: https://www.yamabe-taishi.com/en/

Tsuyoshi Maeda

Tsuyoshi Maeda, born in Kobe, Japan, discovered taiko as a child amid the cultural resurgence following the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake—a catalyst for his lifelong devotion to the art. A former member of KODO (2008–2018), he performed globally on 100+ stages annually, mastering taiko, dance, sho (mouth organ), shinobue flute, and vocals. During his tenure, Tsuyoshi composed, directed, and helmed major projects like Sado Island’s Earth Celebration festival, Kodo’s national school tours, and the theatrical production Wakai Natsu.

A collaborator across genres, he has shared stages with kabuki legend Tamasaburo Bando (Amaterasu, Yugen), violinist Ikuko Kawai, singer AI, and virtual idol Miku Hatsune. Since leaving KODO, Tsuyoshi’s solo career has spanned flamenco fusion (Cuentos de Azúcar with Eva Yerbabuena), percussive theater (co-starring with STOMP), and royal showcases (The Royal Variety Performance for Queen Elizabeth II).

Learn more about Tsuyoshi Maeda: https://www.tsuyoshimaeda.com/

Shoji Kameda

Shoji Kameda, a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer, has dedicated his life to taiko, beginning his journey at age 8. A global collaborator, he honed his craft through fellowships like the Asian Pacific Performance Exchange and Indonesian Arts Exchange, working with master artists across Asia and performing everywhere from French Guiana to Mongolia. His genre-defying creativity spans film scores (Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story, Slamdance Audience Award winner), TV (NBC’s “Heroes”), and stages worldwide, including a historic 2013 performance with On Ensemble at Japan’s National Theater—the first North American taiko group invited to its prestigious Nihon no Taiko series.

In 2014, Shoji along with Yoshihiko Miyamoto, Aya Yoshida Sugiura, and Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten founded kaDON, driven by a shared vision to unite and empower the global taiko community. Through kaDON, he produces accessible online courses, original repertoire, and provides access to high-quality instruments, while amplifying grassroots projects and events. A tireless advocate for collaboration and community, Shoji’s compositions are performed by groups worldwide, and his workshops foster connections from Southern California to Scotland. Whether composing for jazz fusion legends Hiroshima, puppetry films like Yamasong, or for his own musical projects, his work bridges tradition and innovation, proving that taiko knows no borders.

Learn more about Shoji Kameda: https://kadon.com/instructor/shoji-kameda/