Name:

Masayasu MAEDA

Date of Birth:

Feb. 22, 1996

Birthplace:

Kikuchi, Kumamoto

Profile

Masayasu Maeda entered the Kodo Apprentice Centre in 2014 and became a Kodo member in 2017. On stage, he is mainly featured on taiko drums. Recently, Maeda has appeared in various dance roles, expanding his expressive range through each new challenge. He has a strong focus on practice, constantly building his physical strength and skills to deliver strong performances of Kodo’s signature pieces such as Yatai-bayashi and Miyake. While he may appear stoic in these powerhouse pieces, he is well-known within the ensemble for his bright smile and warm nature. Alongside performing, Maeda also composes, directs performances, and serves as an instructor for amateur and student taiko groups. In 2020, he was the team leader of Kodo’s School Workshop Performance tour, directing and appearing in a dynamic programme shared throughout Japan. In Aug. 2021, Maeda appeared playing taiko in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony. In March 2022, he was featured in AR 3 Bros. Event “VIRTUAL NIPPON COLOSSEUM,” a cutting-edge collaboration showcasing new technology and Japanese culture.

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