Wagakki Band

Based in Tokyo, Wagakki Band merges traditional Japanese elements with contemporary twists, combining J-pop, folk-rock, metal, and historical instruments alongside singing styles drawn from classical Japanese verse and drama. Yuko Suzuhana leads the eight-piece group as its shigin vibrato vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, supported by guitarist and singer Machiya, tsugaru shamisen performer Beni Ninagawa, koto specialist Kiyoshi Ibukuro, bassist Asa, shakuhachi player Daisuke Kaminaga, along with drummers Wasabi and Kurona. Suzuhana assembled Ibukuro and Kaminaga into the trio Hanafugetsu during 2013, which later transformed into Wagakki Band through the addition of the remaining five members. The group put out a collection of covers titled Vocalo Zanmai in 2014, followed by their first proper album, Yasou Emaki, the next year. In 2016, TV Tokyo selected their song "Kishikaisei" as the theme for coverage of the Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, while the band also completed an initial promotional visit to the United States. Shikisai, their second studio release that featured "Kishikaisei," came out in 2017, and the compilation Best Collection appeared later in the same year.