Performer / Artist / Drummer
IKKI HINO
IIKKI HINO is a Japan-based wadaiko (Japanese taiko) performer and educator, known for high-impact, wordless performances that audiences can feel as much as hear. He founded Taiko-shu IKKI (Samurai Drum IKKI) in 2002, after first encountering taiko while serving in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
He has performed across 17 countries and 100+ cities, including a nationwide tour in Ukraine as the first Japan-born artist to do so, and received two four-star ratings in Edinburgh, one of the world’s leading festival cities.
His credits include major stage productions such as Endless SHOCK and Sharakukō, and he has supported pop-stage projects through taiko coaching and direction, including Travis Japan. He also leads the taiko school IKKI Taiko-do, delivering workshops for students and international audiences.
For bookings and workshops: info@wataiko-ikki.com
Highlights
- 17 countries / 100+ cities worldwide performances
- Two 4-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (UK)
- First Japan-born artist to tour nationwide in Ukraine
- International appearances incl. three Taiwan tours, five consecutive years at a Korea festival, and an invited performance at Japan Festa (UK)
- Founder of Taiko-shu IKKI (Samurai Drum IKKI) (est. 2002) and director of the taiko school IKKI Taiko-do
Selected Stage & Concert Credits
- Sharakukō (Cis Company production, starring Shinichi Tsutsumi), 2007
- Endless SHOCK (starring Koichi Domoto), 2013–2024
- BULLET TRAIN (Chōtokkyū) — THE END FOR BEGINNING (Osaka), 2018 (taiko direction/instruction; also appeared on stage)
TV / Media
- Hiden (martial arts magazine), June issue (published May 14, 2016) — feature on wadaiko techniques and their relationship to martial arts
- Appeared on FNS Kayōsai 2019 as a member of the Endless SHOCK company (Dec 4, 2019)
International Performance & Touring
- Nationwide tour in Ukraine (first Japan-born artist to do so)
- Taiwan tour(s) and continued festival appearances in Korea
- Invited performance at Japan Festa 2012 (London)
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival participation (2013–2017)
- Wataiko-Unit IKKI — first overseas tour/performance: Nice / Cannes / Marseille (France), 2024
Countries performed/visited (alphabetical): Argentina, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine
Career Timeline (Selected)
2002 Founded Taiko-shu IKKI
2008 Solo street-performance journey across Eastern Europe (5 countries / 10 cities)
2009 Represented Japan in the Delphic Games (solo division); opened IKKI Taiko-do in Saitama
2010 Appeared at Red Bull BC One (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
2014 Opened IKKI Taiko-do schools in Osaka and Tokyo
2015 Taiko direction/instruction for Johnny’s World; tours and international workshops (including large-scale school workshops in Argentina)
2019 Founded the multinational instrument band Nuevo color; appeared on FNS Kayōsai 2019
2020 Launched the project “Mori kara no Shōtaijō (Invitation from the Forest)”
2023 Taiko direction/instruction for a Travis Japan concert; taiko direction/instruction/appearance for THE WORLD~2023
2025 Appeared in THE BEST as part of the SHOCK company; continued major recitals for IKKI Taiko-do
Selected Collaborators
The Forsythe Company (contemporary dance), Valentin Bartes (ballet), Michael Spencer (violin), TOMOZUIN H (synthesizer), Masanori Tachi (spinning bike), Naoki Ishikawa (rudimental snare), Hitomi Nakamura (hichiriki), Kou Ishikawa (shō), Yasuma Horio (Tsugaru shamisen), Fuka Suzuka (calligraphy), Saori Kanda (artist), Yoko Ando (contemporary dance), Kaori Tomita (tap dance)