Takashi Hagiwara

Takashi “Hagi” Hagiwara has been called the “godfather of Yamaha drums” as the unofficial ambassador of the company’s percussive products around the world.  His father was a silversmith in Tokyo, a profession he was thought to continue, however, he decided to take a part-time job as a teenager in a local music store.  Hagi found his personal passion in the music industry and was honored to be given a chance to work for Yamaha in the drum and percussion department at the Ginza store location.  His role expanded with Yamaha especially after the company decided to manufacture drums, beginning in the 1960s.