Wata

Wata began playing guitar during her high school years. In 1992, she formed the band Boris; by 1996, the group had solidified into the three-piece lineup of Takeshi, Wata, and Atsuo—a configuration that remains to this day.

Her Gibson Les Paul Custom—an instrument she has used since the band’s early days—is consistently equipped with Seymour Duncan ’59 and JB pickups.

She favors high-output amplifiers from brands like Orange and Matamp. Her signature sound—defined by immense volume, an ELK Big Muff, a Roland Space Echo RE-150, and a wah pedal—is a fundamental element that makes Boris who they are.

Beyond mere "heaviness," her psychedelic tones—imbued with an ethereal, floating quality—and her unique playing style, characterized by frequent use of vibrato, command an overwhelming presence on the global rock stage. To describe her sound simply as "deafening" or "explosive" would be far from sufficient.

In 2021, EarthQuaker Devices released "Hizumitas," a signature pedal that replicates her personal fuzz sound. Offering an intense sonic character while remaining simple and intuitive to use, the pedal has become a global bestseller.

Now, more than 30 years into her career, her organic, deeply emotional, and truly one-of-a-kind guitar playing continues to evolve and deepen.