Taiko Festival

Rikuzentakatta Taiko Festival 2005

The Taneichi Taiko Team invited me along on a fun filled day of taiko tunes down in Rikuzentakatta, Iwate. This is a pretty huge festival, I'm not sure how they do it, but they select the top 10 groups from some "pool" of club teams and that group tours the country at festivals like this one. So, 10 groups from various places in Japan (Tokyo, Akita, Gunma and Okinawa-to name a few) each performed for about 30 minutes each... 4 hours of taiko and I would have loved another 4! I am amazed by the skills of the Taneichi Team, and was NOT suprised to learn that they were asked to perform at last year's event! Guess I am learning from the best! Speaking of best...here are a few of the members that made the trip down, via bus, with me.

As you can see, the age range is huge. Keep in mind, the team is like an "extracurricular" activity...the members still have regular full time jobs and families to raise etc...but the dedication they have to this is incredible! On the bus ride down, the team was clapping out rhythms and discussing new techniques to try in future shows. I just wanted to relax and sleep...as we left Taneichi @ 4:50 AM!!! It took 5 hours to from the northernmost to southernmost city...and another 5.5 hrs back up again. I am exhausted but wanted to post these pics quickly so I don't keep some of you superfans in suspense!

Ok, so the "no-flash-rule" was the only major bummer on the day...the pics didn't turn out. Although I did get a few cool "effects" to turn out. So enjoy the pics, for what they are, it was SO much cooler to witness in person. The music is SO intense and is played with such respect and pride. The taiko is obviously THE most traditional/popular instrument in Japan, and rightfully so. It is super difficult and requires intense focus and teamwork. Just a few of the MANY virtues most Japanese live their lives by.

One of the Taneichi Team's "leaders" is a high school student. He must be quite the standout as his face was pictured on the billboards/magazines/brochures and event advertisement! Way to go Ryoske! Your hard work has paid off..you are kinda famous! ;)

All groups performed "original" works that were enjoyed, by even the highest of taiko-connesiurs, for the first time. These debut tunes were excellent...lots of variety--you would think with this many teams there would be some "repeat patterns or songs"...but there wasn't at all! Great for a person with a bit of ADHD tendencies!

This was one of my favorite groups. So skilled...playing 3 drums at once (well, if you do the math on that one, .....) You get the idea--they've got skills. Pure heart and pure talent!

This was a group of 'elders'...they went with a more modern dance approach instead of risking breaking something using the taiko drums. Probably a good idea, but I loved their colors and passion for their music....transcending through the years and years they have been involved with it.

The highlight of the festival, was an actual "professional taiko troupe" that performed last. It was made up of only 4 members, but the sound they produced sounded like that of 20 people! They wore beautiful traditional garb (uh, didn't catch that vocab today!) They also treated us to a fantastic encore to reiterate that they really are the greatest. I have SOOOOOOOOOOOO far to go in learning taiko, but even members on our team said that watching these performers is humbling and makes them want to learn more. What passion the Taneichi Team has! You guys can do anything...keep it up! Your sound is fantastic!

The striking backdrops, set, "costumes" (although not really...) and scenery are so visually entertaining! I couldn't get enough of it! Hope you could somehow use your imagination to picture what hundreds of taiko all-stars look like! Will try to take some better ones next time! My head and heart are still thumping to the tunes from today...