Taiko Dan, Representing the Japanese Culture Taiko is Japanese for “big, fat drum” and it generally means a Japanese drum ensemble. This is considered a form of visual art, music, and performance that have brought great entertainment as well as promoted Japanese cultural values to audience worldwide. I was fortunate to be able to attend one of the Taiko drums performance by the Sacramento Taiko Dan group. This experience enabled me to use my critical thinking skills and left me with nothing but positive
In Taiko drumming there is a doctrine that overlays the performance of this art form that can be explained through the phrase of “getting it right” (Bender, 2012, p.122) by which drummers inherit a particular form of drumming from their predecessors. Performers
2017 Japanese Taiko Drumming The musical culture event I chose to base my research around for this project is the Japanese art of taiko drumming, along with the musical ensembles that create it. I have always had a natural interest in percussion instruments and upon searching up taiko drumming, I very quickly fell in love with the art form. Like the Japanese culture, their instruments are graceful, traditional yet modern, cultural, and of course, beautiful. Taiko is a term used to describe
costumes, and remarkable staging. As Kabuki originated at the time of Banraku, Kabuki adopted numerous movements and multiple plays from this theatre form that have played a big part in the creation of Kabuki Theatre. While The Picture Book of the Taiko was created and performed by the Banraku movement in 1789, its first performance in Kabuki form was achieved in 1799. According to many Kabuki folklores, in 1603, this art form was created by Okuni, a Buddhist priestess who performed ritual dances
all aspect of what we understand to be music. The drum is so broad that to do any research on just the drum as a whole would be very extensive. So my focus will be on the, taiko, a Japanese style of drum deeply associated with Japanese culture and music. We will examine some drum history, Japanese culture, and finally the taiko style of drums itself..
GAGAKU (JAPANESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC) BACKGROUND, HISTORY AND FUNCTION OF GAGAKU Gagaku is the so-called Japanese folk music. It is form by the influences of the Buddhism brought from the country of China through Diplomatic relations between both of the countries. Back in the year 589, the Japanese has sent their diplomatic officer to China to learn about their culture which include the Chinese court music. Gakuso which is a type of zither and gakubiwa a lute are one of the examples of instruments
drums they use sticks to hit with, some use their hands. Another type of drum that has been around for a long time is the Taiko drum. The Taiko drum is the drum that the Japanese used. Taiko in Japanese means “Big/Fat drum” even though the taiko drums come in different sizes. And the Japanese sticks they use are called “Bachi”. A variety of other instruments are also used in taiko to fill out the sound. Hand cymbals (called chappa or tebyoushi), Hand held gongs (call atarigane or chanchiki), flutes
Music has been influential and involved in nearly every aspect of Japanese culture, as many Japanese folk tales were centered around music and had musical aspects. This is especially apparent in the tale Princess Hase. In the story of Princess Hase, she is a extremely skilled koto player. There have many many different musical instruments, art forms, and musical genres that have been pivotal in Japanese culture and influential in other cultures. Not only were these central to Japanese culture, but
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing the fall production of Argonautika at the Westmont High School Theater directed by Jeff Bengford and written by Mary Zimmerman. Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of Argonautika carefully selects which pieces of a Greek story to emphasize, where to begin and end the story, and which characters to feature. Argonautika is very much an ensemble piece, with every actor standing out in multiple roles. Her version focuses on Jason and Medea and begins with an invocation
Biographies - 3rd May Oda Nobunaga Oda Nobunaga was a daimyo who ruled over Honshu, the main island of Japan. He was born in the 1530s, and was given the nickname, in his childhood, of “Owari no Ōutsuke”, or “The Big Fool of Owari.” His father Oda Nobuhide died when Nobunaga was in his 20s, and was reputed, at the funeral, to throw incense at the altar. Nobunaga’s superiors were convinced of his lack of discipline from his behaviour at the funeral, and began to support Nobunaga’s brother, Nobuyuki
bon dances will take place. The bon dances have religious undertones also. In the story above, the dancing signifies the joy and elation the son felt when his mother was offered divinity. Now, in the center of town, a makeshift tower is erected. A Taiko drummer is on top and speakers play special Obon music and dancers below dressed in yukata (summer) kimonos circle below in dance.
When compared to other beliefs, Buddhism is a fairly logical and philosophical religion focused on eliminating desire and attaining inner peace in a world filled with anything but. “A happy feeling or condition in life is not permanent or everlasting. It changed sooner or later.” (Rahula, 20) Because the world is filled with pain, one must learn to disassociate oneself with individual desire. This is one of the many philosophies imparted by Buddha, an ancient teacher, who was inspired to eliminate
Japan is a country full of respect, family importance, and extremely valued education. The official language in Japan is Japanese. This language is almost spoken exclusively within Japan. The standard version of Japanese is called hyōjungo and has very few sounds, compared to other languages such as English. Many experts believe Japanese is an Altaic, an Austronesian, or a Southeast Asian language. There are other theories, but none can be completely proven true. Almost all linguists believe
Japan is a country that has a great impact on the world from many perspectives. Not only because of their strong economy and great technology, their culture also gives people extraordinary impressions. Japanese music as an indispensable part of Japanese culture, it is also being popular in different continents. However, “Japanese Music” is a broad topic and there are far more things we need to study and observe to completely understand beside to listen the music itself. Although Japanese music is
Writings of Nichiren, 78-79. Nichiren’s citation of Shan-tao’s An- raku Shu can be found in T46, 329c, cited by Yamplosky, Ibid., 78 An introduction to the Shingon tradition, with its main doctrines and ritual practices, can be found in Yamasaki Taiko, Shingon: Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Boston: Shambhala, 1988; a good study of K´kaiÕs thought, with the translation of some of his most representative works, is Yoshito Hakeda,K´kai: Major Works. New York: Columbia University Press, 1972; however
Introduction Playwright, director, musician and theatre artist, Rick Shiomi - a Japanese -Canadian born and raised in Toronto was founding member of theatre MU in Minneapolis. He is nationally recognized for his work in Asian American theatre. As a playwright, artistic director, his work includes award winning ‘Yellow Fever’ and ‘Wallaye Kid’. He used his experiences as a Japanese-Canadian living in Vancouver’s Cordova Street to create a play titled. ‘Yellow Fever’ in which Sam-Spade the detective
Summer is the time for renewal and a chance to start over. Summer is the time when Japanese go all out in their festivals. You’ll see fireworks and beautifully colored paper mache floats. When you think of summer in Japan, you might imagine all the young girls wearing a yukata, or a summer kimono. You will see masses of people eating shaved ice-cream in the hot, humid weather. Not only are there winter and spring festivals, but there are summer festivals as well. Some festivals that occur during