Taro Ishida (composer)

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Taro Ishida
Born	Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Education	Tokyo University of the Arts (master’s in music)
Occupation(s)	Musician, Composer, Music Producer

Taro Ishida (born 8 November 1979) is a Japanese composer and music producer who specializes in gagaku, a type of classical Japanese music.^[1][2][3][4] He is best known for arranging the soundtrack for the Hollywood series Shogun, which was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Music Composition and Main Title Theme Music.^[5][6][7]

Taro Ishida was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and spent his early childhood in the United States before moving to Japan. He studied Chinese literature at Sophia University and later pursued music at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he specialized in electronic acoustics, composition, ethnomusicology, and Gagaku, a form of traditional Japanese court music. Ishida graduated with a master's degree and began his career as a professional composer while still a student.^[8][1]

In 2016, Ishida was appointed music director for the projection mapping event “Haruka” in Fukushima, following in the footsteps of renowned artists Ryuichi Sakamoto and Otomo Yoshihide. In 2018, he founded Drifter Inc., with the aim of musical innovation within the realm of Gagaku.^[1]

He has created music for institutions:Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, the Pompidou Centre, and the Mori Art Museum, including corporate clients: NHK, UNIQLO, and HONDA.^[4]

In 2021, Ishida launched the Gagaku project “Donburako” with artists Oorutaichi and members of the Reigakusha Ensemble, focusing on reimagining ancient Japanese music for contemporary audiences.^[9]

In 2024, Taro Ishida participated as an arranger in the soundtrack for the Hollywood series SHOGUN, produced by and starring Hiroyuki Sanada. He worked alongside Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, and Nick Chuba, incorporating elements of Japanese traditional music into the score. While SHOGUN won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, the soundtrack itself was nominated for Outstanding Music Composition and Main Title Theme Music at the Emmy Awards.^[10][11][5]

• Grandfinale (2009)
  • Includes tracks such as "Grand Finale," "Lacrimae Pavan," and "Time For Space For Time."
• NIGHT FLOWER (2021)
  • Features tracks like "Star Song," a collaboration with Manami Kakudo.
• SHOGUN Original Soundtrack (2024)
  • Participated as an arranger, contributing to compositions like "Main Title (Shōgun)" and "Osaka Castle."

• Asobi (2019)
  • Features pieces like "Song of the Bones" and "Universal Song."

• "豊原駅の歌" (2018)
• "Drifters" (2021)
• "Because You Were There" feat. Manami Kakudo (2024)

• Contributed to Oorutaichi's special band project "Hotokeno" (2020), where he arranged the song "Beloved Ones."

• "Is Anyone There?" at the Pompidou Centre (2011)
• "Japan's Most Beautiful Island - Ōmi Island" (2014)
• Soundtrack for "SHOGUN" (2024, Arranger)

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