Eiichi Saito

Born May 7, 1963 · Hiroshima, Japan

Eiichi Saito joined Kodo in 1982. Since then, he has been a featured performer on domestic and international tours, as well as in recordings and collaborations with artists of varying genres. For four decades, he has captivated and invigorated audiences worldwide with his energetic performances. In addition to his stage activities, Saito shares his passion for creative exchange by leading workshops that convey the power of taiko through self-discovery. Along with the ever-popular annual live-in taiko workshop “Kodo Juku” on Sado Island, he also leads workshops on demand throughout Japan and around the world. In 2020, Saito’s alter-ego—That Banana Guy—launched a series of how-to videos to share his original Wave Method for Taiko Drumming online.