Ryuji joined Taikoz in 2015 after successfully auditioning for Taikoz’s Individual Development Program in 2013-14. Ryuji is well known for his joy and passion for taiko, especially when performing yokouchi (side on style) taiko, katsugi okedo, shinobue and the grand odaiko. 

Ryuji grew up in Yokohama, Japan, and began his taiko training with the taiko ensemble Shoryu, an ensemble he subsequently led before moving to Sydney. 

His teachers and mentors include Suguru Kikuchi on Hachijo Island and Miyake-daiko with original masters Akio Tsumura and sons. 

Ryuji co-leads the Sydney Onikenbai Club with Sophia (under the umbrella of ATA) and regularly travels to Japan for study with Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, the original masters of the dance-music form known as Onikenbai. When in Japan, he regularly performs Onikenbai in the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.