Ninja Training Please

Japan might be known as the nation of techies now, but even before the technology super world started to expand exponentially – tamaguchis anyone? – the Japanese were way cooler than we ever will be. Alright, maybe cool isn’t the right word… but intriguing certainly is. We teach our kids to eat hamburgers while their young ones are training to be ninjas.

All inappropriately stereo-typical comments aside, Japan deserves credit for some of its musical expertise also, manifested in the form of big old Taiko drums. The Taiko-players are easy to spot, as their forearms are normally almost as muscular as their biceps. This muscle mass isn’t for nothing; it allows a musician beat the giant drums and create resounding rhythms that can shake you to the very core. Taiko can be performed by a solo artist or in a duet, creating rainy forest sounds perfect for yoga meditation; then there’s the Taiko we hear at Bon Dances – Fast, unified, and energizing. The MACC has prepared a riveting performance – The 11th Annual Taiko Festival at 7 pm on Saturday, June 12th – which will join together  Hajicho Drummers from Japan, San Jose Taiko from California and Maui’s popular ensemble, Zenshin Daiko.  $20, half-price kids 12 years & under, $9 Kaunoa Seniors plus applicable fees. By: Sierra Brown

Watch the Symmetrical Soundscapes Video soured from the Zenshin Daiko website to get an idea of what Taiko drumming is all about:

And don’t forget about the younger crowd either. Lots of little people can make big noises…

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