Miyavi
A Japanese guitarist who redefined the instrument's sound with a percussive, slapping technique that turned six strings into a full rhythm section.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Japanese musician and actor·Birthday: September 14·Millennials
Biography
Born Takamasa Ishihara in 1981, Miyavi emerged from the visual kei rock scene of the late 90s, but his true breakthrough came when he shed the band format and stepped into the spotlight alone with his guitar. He didn't just play it; he attacked it, developing a kinetic, slapping and tapping style that made the acoustic guitar sound like a drum kit and a bass line all at once. This technical innovation, paired with a sharp, androgynous visual style, propelled him to international fame, leading to sold-out global tours. His career expanded into acting, with notable roles in films like 'Unbroken,' and he became a dedicated UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, using his platform to advocate for refugees. More than a musician, Miyavi became a cultural ambassador, blending rock, pop, and electronic sounds into a unique signature that challenges traditional genre boundaries.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Miyavi was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Miyavi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Miyavi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2017.
- Performed at major global festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza, bringing his unique guitar style to wide international audiences.
- Acted in Angelina Jolie's 2014 war drama 'Unbroken,' playing Imperial Japanese Army corporal Mutsuhiro Watanabe.
- Founded his own record label, EMI Music Japan sub-label 'J-Glam' in 2010, to have greater creative control.
Did You Know?
He is a self-taught guitarist who developed his signature slapping technique because he initially found traditional picking too difficult.
Miyavi holds a black belt in Kendo, a Japanese martial art using bamboo swords.
He married Japanese actress and singer Hiromi in 2009, and they have two daughters.
His stage name 'Miyavi' is derived from a historical Japanese term meaning 'elegant'.
““I’m not a guitarist. I’m a entertainer who uses guitar.””
