Ken Koshio, Taiko Player. Phoenix, AZ  |  2023

Ken Koshio is a taiko player who also plays the Shamisen (three-stringed instrument) and Shinobue (bamboo flute). Born in Japan, Koshio grew up surrounded by traditional Japanese culture. He began learning music at a young age and was exposed to traditional, ceremonial drumming practiced under Shintoism and started learning ji-daiko (Indigenous drumming) under master drummer Itsuki Munakata in Hiroshima. He plays and teaches taiko in both the U.S and Japan. He is now based in Phoenix, and will mentor his son, Miro Koshio.