Grand Prize 2022 laureate, Mr. HAYASHI Eitetsu visited Uchihama Junior High School in the West Ward of Fukuoka City.

The visit to the school began with a row of taiko drums lined up on the school gymnasium stage. More than 300 third-year students gathered in the gymnasium to take part in Mr. Hayashi's lecture and performance. After sharing how he joined a taiko group at the age of 19 and how he became an independent taiko player, he talked about the history of taiko in Japan, and how the use of taiko has changed over time. Then Mr. Hayashi explained in plain language the characteristics of his own taiko music through demonstrations with four members of the EITETSU FU-UN no KAI.

In the second half of his visit, Mr. Hayashi performed "Monochrome," a piece that has been highly acclaimed in overseas performances, filling the hall with the powerful sound of taiko drums. During the Q&A session, students raised their hands one after another and eagerly asked questions. The students listened with great interest to Mr. Hayashi's extensive experience as he spoke about his daily fitness routine, how he deals with nervousness during performances and the differences between the playing methods in Western percussion instruments and taiko drums. Hayashi's life story and the experience he has had with taiko provided an opportunity for the third-year students to consider their own futures as they were about to embark on their chosen paths in life.

At the end of the event, the student representative expressed his feelings and gratitude, saying, "I was very impressed by the way Mr. Hayashi has spread traditional taiko to the world with a new style.”

As Mr. Hayashi was about to leave the school, the students, who were so moved by his performance, handed him handmade thank-you cards in haste. His school visit provided a meaningful time, as students received inspiration from Mr. Hayashi's sincere way of life and the sound of taiko.