An almost impossible task to pick just five. I would include Akira Takasaki from Loudness. He introduced me to Japanese rock and metal. Shiren is also tough to leave off the list as well.
I understand and respect that you like the more metal guitar style. I also like it, but It doesn't touch my soul as much anymore. It's sounding more and more "superficial" to me nowadays. I know I'm getting older, but music is viewed differently now. I would have liked to have seen Machiya from Wagakki Band on here, but probably he's not metal enough for your list. His solos are very brief, but it's so melodic and his overall playing is such awesome in a group context. From his rhythm to his soloing all fits like a perfect piece of a puzzle. Also, Does any other fan of Japanese guitar players know of Ichika Nitto? He has absolutely no feel but his technique and speed is incredible. He just doesn't use distortion, so it might not go well with some people here, but the tone and dexterity is awesome which I can like even though I more on feel.
I really do miss Mikio...RIP. Do you know Nozomu Wakai? He plays with many Artist including Fuki. Destinia/ Take me home ua-cam.com/video/2vsrTbstkJQ/v-deo.html
I am glad you referred to Akira Takasaki at the end. ESP would have taken more time to become a major brand if Akira hadn't used their "Random Star" HR/HM scene in Japan may have been totally different now if Loudness had not appeared. Major labels started to sign HR/HM bands after Loudness showed a certain level of success. (actually a huge success for a HR/HM band). Until Loudness, there was only one HR band (Bow Wow) active as a professional.
Wow thats amazing, I knew they were influential but didn't know they influenced the industry so much too. Thanks for that! Yeah it would have been blasphemy not to give him a mention 😂
@@AxeJapan It's my point of view but I don't think I'm exaggerating at all. After his former band Lazy disbanded, expectation for Akira (and Higuchi...RIP)'s new band was enormous.
Thank you so much! I will be checking a lot of those out because some I don't know! I did give Akira Takasaki my honorable mention so you could say we share 2 😂
@@AxeJapan Also great to put Mikio on nr. 1. Sorry to hear you lost a friend under similar circumstances. So tragic when people who have so much to give are taken away too soon. Mikio looked like the kindest guy too. Imagine him and Kanamincho on the same stage. Doing both rock and acoustic instrumentals together. Too soon, too soon.
Thanks for this, so hard to pick the top 5. Whenever I hear Mikio I always think of Jeff Beck and his use of the tremolo bar and his expressiveness in his playing. Should be on every list of great guitarist.
Respect your opinion, but I would certainly have Hizaki and Hide (R.I.P.)from probably the two greatest japanese bands in history; Versailles and X-Japan along with Ryou, Mikio and Syu, but that`s only my opinion. Shiren is also up there among the best, at least before he got his hand injury.
Mikio number 1, I agree. That Others can play whatever he plays (a measure I too use), I disagree. He could play Holdsworth, Beck, Belew, as well as Friedman, Gilbert, Leda, Syu, and of course being Ohmura’s sensei… All with a little kick of joy…
Thanks Axe for another great list. Seems that our tastes are not that different :-) Grow up with Black Sabbath so I'm pleased to find Shinji here. The top three are almost equal, but I agree with Mikio on top - RIP. Sometimes he reminds me of Jeff Beck, very tasteful and you always wondering how he squeezes out all this incredible tones out of his strings - technical and emotional at the same time.
Amazing!. What a great list. You could add more, but in no case remove any. I´ve got pretty emotional about Mikio. I bought this last year both EPs from the Kari Band. It's the only thing I could do for him after his death. The most subtle and emotional on the list without a doubt. Thanks!
👍🖤 AMAZING LIST!!! 1 - Suzuki Juko (Sokoninaru) 2 - Tak Matsumoto (B'z) 3 - Shu (Tribale Scream of Phoenix) 4 - Kaoru Niikura (DIR EN GREY) 5 - Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON). Please take a look at SANO from the band maAyu. P.S.: SAKI, YASHIRO, and YUI (CYNTIA) will record a video for "YOUNG GUITAR" magazine 👍🖤
Suzuki Juko is awesome! Thanks for you're list. i don't know you're #3!) Will be checking him out for sure 👍 and I knew about that video, im looking forward to it!😁
Wajima san is the one of the holy trinity that is Ningen Isu. Mikio was taken too soon but as with all legendary guitarists it wasn't all about how many notes you can cram into 4 beats. A great list dude. This David Gilmour solo rates in my top 5 of all time. ua-cam.com/video/vi7cuAjArRs/v-deo.html
@@cepho8349 well but nowadays female bands like Lovebites are more popular than Galneryus and some people dare to compare Miyako and Midori with Syu... and some even said that they are at the same level. Fuck them, Lovebites need 10 more years to be compared with Galneryus.
Yes, Mikio, Number 1 he had so much feeling to his playing awesome.
Yes! His playing is just mesmerising
@@AxeJapan I do have him at the top
Oh! RIP Mikio....
Too young 😪
An almost impossible task to pick just five. I would include Akira Takasaki from Loudness. He introduced me to Japanese rock and metal. Shiren is also tough to leave off the list as well.
I know it's pretty much an impossible task 😩 I did give Arkira my honorable mention 🤘
I understand and respect that you like the more metal guitar style. I also like it, but It doesn't touch my soul as much anymore. It's sounding more and more "superficial" to me nowadays. I know I'm getting older, but music is viewed differently now. I would have liked to have seen Machiya from Wagakki Band on here, but probably he's not metal enough for your list. His solos are very brief, but it's so melodic and his overall playing is such awesome in a group context. From his rhythm to his soloing all fits like a perfect piece of a puzzle. Also, Does any other fan of Japanese guitar players know of Ichika Nitto? He has absolutely no feel but his technique and speed is incredible. He just doesn't use distortion, so it might not go well with some people here, but the tone and dexterity is awesome which I can like even though I more on feel.
I really do miss Mikio...RIP.
Do you know Nozomu Wakai? He plays with many Artist including Fuki.
Destinia/ Take me home ua-cam.com/video/2vsrTbstkJQ/v-deo.html
I am glad you referred to Akira Takasaki at the end.
ESP would have taken more time to become a major brand if Akira hadn't used their "Random Star"
HR/HM scene in Japan may have been totally different now if Loudness had not appeared. Major labels started to sign HR/HM bands after Loudness showed a certain level of success. (actually a huge success for a HR/HM band). Until Loudness, there was only one HR band (Bow Wow) active as a professional.
Wow thats amazing, I knew they were influential but didn't know they influenced the industry so much too. Thanks for that! Yeah it would have been blasphemy not to give him a mention 😂
@@AxeJapan It's my point of view but I don't think I'm exaggerating at all. After his former band Lazy disbanded, expectation for Akira (and Higuchi...RIP)'s new band was enormous.
Cool list indeed👌👍✌
It's interesting that I only share one of your guitarists in my top ten:
1. Akio Shimizu (Anthem)
2. Shuichi Aoki (Night Hawks)
3. DAITA (Siam Shade / solo)
4. SYU 😜
5. KARUKAN (Onmyouza)
6. Yoshitsugu Imai (Terra Rosa)
7. Tatsuya Nakamura (Blindman)
8. Akira Takasaki (Loudness)
9. Masahiko Kuroki (Wolf)
10. Shinichiro Ishihara (SLY)
Thank you so much! I will be checking a lot of those out because some I don't know! I did give Akira Takasaki my honorable mention so you could say we share 2 😂
@@AxeJapan You are right.✌
Before watching I'm calling Takayoshi being in the top 3. Now let's roll!
Good call!😉👊
@@AxeJapan Also great to put Mikio on nr. 1. Sorry to hear you lost a friend under similar circumstances. So tragic when people who have so much to give are taken away too soon. Mikio looked like the kindest guy too. Imagine him and Kanamincho on the same stage. Doing both rock and acoustic instrumentals together.
Too soon, too soon.
Thanks for this, so hard to pick the top 5. Whenever I hear Mikio I always think of Jeff Beck and his use of the tremolo bar and his expressiveness in his playing. Should be on every list of great guitarist.
Absolutely!
Respect your opinion, but I would certainly have Hizaki and Hide (R.I.P.)from probably the two greatest japanese bands in history; Versailles and X-Japan along with Ryou, Mikio and Syu, but that`s only my opinion. Shiren is also up there among the best, at least before he got his hand injury.
Mikio number 1, I agree. That Others can play whatever he plays (a measure I too use), I disagree. He could play Holdsworth, Beck, Belew, as well as Friedman, Gilbert, Leda, Syu, and of course being Ohmura’s sensei… All with a little kick of joy…
They're all awesome Axeman but i was hoping you could only think of 4 & somehow manage to fit Kanami back in again :)
😂 not sure she'd be too happy
I guess you should have sent more cheques in the post. But Axe’s list would have become a top 5 mail guitarists 😅
@@AxeJapan Hey if you're prepared to wear a maid costume then Kanami will have to make sacrifices too.😆
@@2abug 2abug i don't know why that made me chuckle.🤦♂️
Thanks Axe for another great list. Seems that our tastes are not that different :-) Grow up with Black Sabbath so I'm pleased to find Shinji here. The top three are almost equal, but I agree with Mikio on top - RIP. Sometimes he reminds me of Jeff Beck, very tasteful and you always wondering how he squeezes out all this incredible tones out of his strings - technical and emotional at the same time.
Absolutely man you're right on! Absolutely incredible
Good list. It's fun to stay in the Japanese female band bubble, but there are certainly many male musicians that deserve respect as well.
Amazing!. What a great list. You could add more, but in no case remove any. I´ve got pretty emotional about Mikio. I bought this last year both EPs from the Kari Band. It's the only thing I could do for him after his death. The most subtle and emotional on the list without a doubt. Thanks!
👍🖤 AMAZING LIST!!!
1 - Suzuki Juko (Sokoninaru)
2 - Tak Matsumoto (B'z)
3 - Shu (Tribale Scream of Phoenix)
4 - Kaoru Niikura (DIR EN GREY)
5 - Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON).
Please take a look at SANO from the band maAyu.
P.S.: SAKI, YASHIRO, and YUI (CYNTIA) will record a video for "YOUNG GUITAR" magazine 👍🖤
Suzuki Juko is awesome! Thanks for you're list. i don't know you're #3!) Will be checking him out for sure 👍 and I knew about that video, im looking forward to it!😁
Check out Kazumi Watanabe on To Chi Ka.
Wajima san is the one of the holy trinity that is Ningen Isu.
Mikio was taken too soon but as with all legendary guitarists it wasn't all about how many notes you can cram into 4 beats.
A great list dude.
This David Gilmour solo rates in my top 5 of all time.
ua-cam.com/video/vi7cuAjArRs/v-deo.html
Thanks man! Yeah I've watched "Pulse" about 50 times 😂 amazing performance and that solo 👌 the new ningen album is so good!
ichika nito?
Great list! Honorable mention: Daisuke Kurosawa.
Great list! Could you do a TAB for Soichiro Yagami's theme next?
I won't be doing tabs but I will do a guitar lesson video for it 👍
What about MIYAVI?!?!?!
Interesting…so Japan has also male musicians 🤔
Do they? Wow, wonders never cease :)
😂😂 you're joking but I feel some people do really think that
Yes, but they wear skirts and dresses so............idk.
I think I've seen number 4 on Omegle playing guitar along with Davie504
@@glenkelley6799 Did you just put “guitar” and “Davie504” in the same sentence? 😆
Miyavi?
He’s awesome 🤩
Lol. It seems like Japanese female bands have way more attention than male bands on youtube.
I think any female playing an instrument gets more attention than a male ... its quite sad really 😞
At least One Ok Rock seem pretty popular. And Galneryus are one of the most popular Japanese metal bands.
@@cepho8349 well but nowadays female bands like Lovebites are more popular than Galneryus and some people dare to compare Miyako and Midori with Syu... and some even said that they are at the same level. Fuck them, Lovebites need 10 more years to be compared with Galneryus.