SATOU Kensaku

With 40 years of experience in Japanese taiko drumming, he refines his mind and body daily in the spiritual setting of Togakushi. Known for his overwhelming and explosive drumming style, as well as his exceptional technical skills and expressive abilities, he is often referred to as “the man chosen by taiko.”

In 1998, he performed on the o-daiko (large taiko drum) at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in France.In 2008, he became the first taiko drummer to receive the Newcomer’s Award at the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Arts Festival.From 2011 to 2014, he held free performances in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake as part of the “Fuji Project.”In 2015, he delivered a talk at “TEDx Shinshu University.”In 2016, he appeared on the BBC program Global Beats, where he was the only artist selected from Asia among seven global musicians. The program was broadcast worldwide.In 2016 and 2017, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival.In 2018, he performed at the Temppeliaukio Church Concert in Finland and continues to perform both domestically and internationally.

He expands the world of taiko drumming through dedication to sacred performances at shrines and temples, as well as numerous collaborations with artists from various disciplines, including dancers Kaiji Moriyama and Hana Sakai.

Kensaku Sato Official Website     http://tihayable.jp