Japanese shred guitarist
If you’re into rock, metal, or simply love guitarists and guitar tones, chances are you also enjoy lightning-fast soloing.
As a guitarist, almost everyone has probably wanted to master a fast-picking phrase at least once, right? In this article, we’ll introduce captivating fast-playing guitarists, focusing on musicians active in Japan.
While “shredding” might make you think of the metal scene, we’ll be spotlighting not only metal but also highly regarded technicians from jazz and fusion.
Now, let’s dive in and listen to some blazing speed that’s gone in the blink of an eye!
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Japanese shred guitarists (1–10)
Never Ending StoryKitsutaka Fumihiko (Kinniku Shoujo-tai)
A guitarist who joined Kinniku Shōjo Tai in 1988.
He was well-known in amateur circles as a fast-playing guitarist since his high school days, and he excels at the classical metal style that dominated the 1980s.
While vocalist Kenji Ohtsuki tends to be the focal point of Kinniku Shōjo Tai, Tachibana possesses the high-level musical skills to turn melodies that Ohtsuki brings in as simple hummed ideas into fully realized songs.
He is an artist whose musicality is so vital that Kinniku Shōjo Tai could hardly exist without Fumihiko Kitsutaka.
We The Unitedmiyako、midori（LOVEBITES）
LOVEBITES is a heavy metal band that’s active not only in Japan but around the world, and the guitarists supporting their powerful sound are Miyako and Midori.
Having two guitars in the band adds depth to the sound, while also letting listeners enjoy their interplay.
The two of them handle the guitar solos as well, and a key highlight is that they proceed in unison rather than as a showdown.
They even layer the fast-picking phrases precisely, which really conveys how accurate their playing is and how high their technical skill is.
JAGUAR’13Haruahata Michiya
When it comes to summer bands in Japan, TUBE is the name—and their guitarist is Michiya Haruhata.
He developed an interest in music at a young age and started playing guitar in middle school.
In 1984, he won the Best Guitarist Award at the Silk Road Music Festival hosted by the record label Being, showcasing his talent.
If you’re a baseball fan, the song in the video might’ve made you go “Oh!”—it’s the theme used for Nippon Professional Baseball broadcasts on Fuji TV since 1998.
He’s active in many areas: as a guitarist, as a member of TUBE, and as a musician who writes and provides songs for various artists.
Japanese Speed Guitarists (11–20)
Heels of the windYamamoto Kyoji (BOWWOW)
Kyoji Yamamoto, who is also the leader of the hard rock band BOWWOW.
BOWWOW is a band that earned high acclaim not only in Japan but also in the UK.
Yamamoto has been known as a guitar prodigy since his days at the Yamaha music academy, and it’s said that within a year of picking up the guitar he could perfectly copy performances by top international guitarists.
Having spent his youth practicing intensely simply because he loved the guitar, Yamamoto’s playing shines with taste backed by solid technique.
Future DestinationKelly SIMONZ
This is Kelly SIMONZ, a guitarist from Osaka Prefecture who is also known as a vocalist.
At the young age of 17, he opened for the legendary rock band LOUDNESS, and after graduating high school, he moved to the United States.
After honing his skills at a music college, he returned to Japan in 1993 and made his major debut in 1999.
He is also a renowned guitar instructor, and among his students is Takayoshi Ohmura, the guitarist for BABYMETAL’s backing band, the Kamiband.
Guitarists across Japan look to the techniques Kelly SIMONZ has cultivated over many years as a reference.
The Tangerine SongANCHANG（SEX MACHINEGUNS）
He is the leader—and the only original member—of the metal band SEX MACHINEGUNS, which has continued its activities through breakups, reunions, hiatuses, and comebacks.
Influenced by a wide range of Western metal, his blisteringly fast guitar playing is his trademark, while he also handles the band’s high-pitched vocals, showcasing exceptional musical sensibility and technical skill as a guitarist.
Their songs uniquely fuse comical lyrics with classic metal sounds, and their catchy songwriting—enjoyable even for those not into metal—marks him as an artist with a strong sense of entertainment.
Thread of DawnMachiya (Wagakki Band)
A guitarist of Wagakki Band, which fuses traditional Japanese instruments and a rock band at a high level and enjoys immense popularity overseas.
He is also known for his precisely executed fast-playing throughout the entire song in his “Tried playing ‘Night of Knights’” video posted on Niconico, which drew significant attention.
Outside of Wagakki Band, he performs under his real name, Makoto Sakuramura, as the vocalist-guitarist of m:a.ture, and serves as a touring support guitarist for former FANATIC◇CRISIS vocalist Tsutomu Ishizuki.
His wide-ranging activities showcase his skill, making him a guitarist to watch.