Japanese drum fuses with world beats
Robert Garner
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Lifestyles
The colors, beats and music of the San Jose Taiko have exhilarated audiences for more than two decades now. As part of the Pepperidge Farm series, the Walton Arts Center will bring the sounds of the San Jose Taiko to the stage 7 p.m. today.
The performance tonight will feature percussive beats spanning several continents from Africa to South America, as well as jazz and other influences.
"[The Walton Arts Center] likes to host various programs, which includes international events," said Lauren Perkins, marketing manager for the WAC.
Taiko refers generally to any type of traditional Japanese drum. In the past, the size of many Japanese villages was determined by how far the sound of a Taiko would carry. The drum was also used in many military, spiritual and ceremonial performances throughout the history of Japan, according to the group's Web site.
Reverend Hiroshi Abiko, Roy Hirabayashi and Dean Miyakusu of the San Jose Buddhist Temple formed San Jose Taiko in order to get youth more involved in spiritual activities, according to the Web site. They selected the Japanese drum because it "embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japanese culture" and the Taiko is generally believed to be a spirit of its own. The group's harmony is achieved through total immersion in the Taiko experience, according to the Web site.
The group then began performing and thrilling audiences with their passion, precision and excitement. Today, the group performs traditional Japanese Taiko combined with "the beat of world rhythms," according to the WAC Web site.
San Jose Taiko performs regularly throughout the U.S. and tours internationally. The group's success and the homage they pay to their ancestors' native land have not gone unnoticed.
In 1987, the group was among the first American Taiko groups to be invited to tour Japan, according to the group's Web site.
Members of the group not only practice and perform the music and choreography, but they also design their own costumes and decorate the drums together, according to the Web site.
"The performance will be enthralling," Perkins said. "Drums will be covering the stage; there will be a lot of energy. It's going to be loud and exciting. [The WAC] is really looking forward to the event."
General admission tickets to the event range from $18 to $28 and are on sale now at the Walton Arts Center. UA students can purchase balcony seats for $10.
More information about tonight's performance can be found on the San Jose Taiko Web site at www.taiko.org or the Walton Arts Center Web site at www.waltonartscenter.org.
The performance tonight will feature percussive beats spanning several continents from Africa to South America, as well as jazz and other influences.
"[The Walton Arts Center] likes to host various programs, which includes international events," said Lauren Perkins, marketing manager for the WAC.
Taiko refers generally to any type of traditional Japanese drum. In the past, the size of many Japanese villages was determined by how far the sound of a Taiko would carry. The drum was also used in many military, spiritual and ceremonial performances throughout the history of Japan, according to the group's Web site.
Reverend Hiroshi Abiko, Roy Hirabayashi and Dean Miyakusu of the San Jose Buddhist Temple formed San Jose Taiko in order to get youth more involved in spiritual activities, according to the Web site. They selected the Japanese drum because it "embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japanese culture" and the Taiko is generally believed to be a spirit of its own. The group's harmony is achieved through total immersion in the Taiko experience, according to the Web site.
The group then began performing and thrilling audiences with their passion, precision and excitement. Today, the group performs traditional Japanese Taiko combined with "the beat of world rhythms," according to the WAC Web site.
San Jose Taiko performs regularly throughout the U.S. and tours internationally. The group's success and the homage they pay to their ancestors' native land have not gone unnoticed.
In 1987, the group was among the first American Taiko groups to be invited to tour Japan, according to the group's Web site.
Members of the group not only practice and perform the music and choreography, but they also design their own costumes and decorate the drums together, according to the Web site.
"The performance will be enthralling," Perkins said. "Drums will be covering the stage; there will be a lot of energy. It's going to be loud and exciting. [The WAC] is really looking forward to the event."
General admission tickets to the event range from $18 to $28 and are on sale now at the Walton Arts Center. UA students can purchase balcony seats for $10.
More information about tonight's performance can be found on the San Jose Taiko Web site at www.taiko.org or the Walton Arts Center Web site at www.waltonartscenter.org.
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