Eitetsu Hayashi
After 11 years of performing in a group, Eitetsu started performing solo in 1982. In 1984, he debuted at Carnegie Hall as the first Japanese taiko drum soloist and gained international acclaim. In 2000, he performed with the Berlin Philharmonic in Waldbühne, Germany, and overwhelmed an audience of over 20,000. Since then, he has performed with many symphony orchestras and artists of different genres worldwide.
Eitetsu has pioneered the field of traditionally unprecedented taiko solos, including the Odaiko solo techniques and the creation of original techniques using a set of multiple taiko drums. He has developed a new genre of "Taiko Music" to be transmitted from Japan to the world, and is active in Japan and overseas. In 2018, he performed 6 concerts in 4 cities in the Japan-Canada Friendship 90th Anniversary Tour in Canada and in October performed in the official performance of the Japan-France Friendship 160th Anniversary Japan Expo “Japonisum 2018”. This year, he worked for production and recording as a concept video production staff for the “Tokyo 2020 NIPPON Festival”.
Eitetsu contributes to a large number of large-scale dispatches for introducing Japanese drum music and culture for each International Friendship and Exchange Year for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Relations Foundation, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
He has authored many publications, including the newly refurbished version of "Ashitano Taiko Uchie" (Hatori Shoten), autobiography "Taiko Hizuki-Dokuso no Kiseki" (Kodansha), and many other articles in journals and magazines. He has received the 1997 Minister of Education Prize for Arts and Culture, the 2001 Japan Traditional Culture Promotion Award, and the 2017 Matsuo Entertainment Awards.
#TaikoCelebration2021
Presents
PROGRAM
Presents
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Stream Available！
The Taiko Celebration 2021 concert will be available to view from kaDON.com!
Streaming Period:
Dec. 17, 2021 ー Jan. 17, 2022 (PST)
Dec. 18, 2021 ー Jan. 18, 2022 (JST)
To view the stream, you will need to subscribe through kaDON.com (Monthly subscriptions available)
More details can be found on their website!
↓↓Below is a tutorial on how to subscribe to kaDON (in JP only at the moment)↓↓
The World Taiko Conference is an event that brings together taiko enthusiasts from around the world for the purpose of promoting and developing taiko. Last year, the first WTC 2020 was held online.
This year, in anticipation of the next World Taiko Conference, we held a performance titled "Taiko Celebration 2021" in Kyushu, where there are many taiko lovers in Japan.
The up-and-coming Japanese instrumentalists of Wagraku Soden performed for the first time as a percussion ensemble in Kyushu.
In addition, the HERbeat project, which consists of female taiko drummers, performed as "HERbeat Japan. And from Oita, which was the host city of the festival, we had Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko, a group with many devoted fans throughout Japan. With the three performing groups, all of whom have been gathering attention in the taiko world, World Taiko Conference Presents "Taiko Celebration 2021" from Japan to the world.
WORLD TAIKO CONFERENCE Committee
PROGRAM
Waraku Soden (Taiko Ensemble)
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叢雲 | Murakumo
Composed by: Taishi Yamabe
地跳 | Ji-hane
Composed by: Taishi Yamabe, Choreography by Tsuyoshi Maeda
空 | Sora
Composed by: Shogo Yoshii
切り声 | Kirigoe
ビーテッセンスⅠ -大太鼓独奏のための- | Beatessence 1
Composed by: Maki Ishii
祭囃子組曲 | Matsuri-bayashi Suite
HERbeat Japan
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奄美の子守唄 | A Lullaby of Amami
Amami folk song
石のうた | Ishi no Uta (The Stone Song)
Composed by: Awa
花八丈 | Hana Hachijo
Composed by: Chieko Kojima
もののけが走る | Spirits on the Run
Composed by: Awa
PELE
Composed by: Mayumi Hashimoto, Anna Sato
ELEVEN～挿入歌 吾島 | ELEVEN～with Wanshima
ELEVEN Composed by: KAOLY Asano /
Wanshima Lyrics by: ANNA, Composed by: Kazumasa Yoshioka
Performance joined by Waraku Soden (taiko ensemble) performing members (Shogo Yoshii, Taishi Yamabe)
Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko
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由布おろし | Yufu Oroshi
Composed by: Tadashi Hasegawa
源響 | Genkyou
Composed by: Tadashi Hasegawa
荒城の月 | Koujou no Tsuki
Composed by: Tadashi Hasegawa
天地源流 | Tenchi-Genryu
Composed by: Tadashi Hasegawa
祝 | Iwai
Composed by: Tadashi Hasegawa
PERFORMERS
Waraku Soden Taiko Ensamble
Waraku Soden is a music project of up-and-coming Japanese instrumentalists led by Shogo Yoshii, Taishi Yamabe, and Tsuyoshi Maeda. Their unique world of music that blends and develops Japanese music has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad. The ensemble uses a variety of Japanese instruments, combining with folk and traditional songs from across Japan, creating a unique world. In a literal sense, “Waraku Soden” means “passing on the Japanese music through performance.” They convey the concepts and notions behind the performing arts as they have been passed on as a part of local life culture. “Waraku” also means “music of harmony.” The artistic director, Shogo Yoshii, aims to present the stage not as a mere collection of different instruments, but as a music ensemble with his original compositions. In this performance, Waraku Soden will perform with a special collection of musicians.
Performing Members:
Shogo Yoshii, Taishi Yamabe, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Masaru Tsuji, Kenshiro Sano, Moe Kenmoku
HERbeat Japan
~HERbeat OURbeat~
When the world was born,
The long years of humankind were woven together.
When the world turn dark of natural disasters,
The drum resounds, the voices are raised, we breathe in life, and we step to dance,
As the warriors of the rainbow give thanks and pray to Mother Earth.
Resounding to our future, ONEbeat
The voices and stories of women have rarely been discussed within our history of taiko. But nowadays, it is said that more than half of the world’s taiko drumming population is said to be female.
To celebrate the achievements of female taiko drummers, an innovative concert and project called HERbeat was put together by Jennifer Weir in Minnesota, and was performed by some of the most acclaimed female taiko artists from Japan, U.S., and Canada in February 2020.
This year, the Japanese cast of HERbeat has reunited as a special ensemble for the WTC concert.
Performing Members:
Chieko Kojima (Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble) / Taiko and Dance
Kaoly Asano (GOCOO) / Taiko
Mayumi Hashimoto (Kirishima Kumen Taiko Hozon Kai) / Taiko
Mizue Yamada (DIA+) / Taiko
Anna Sato / Amami singer
Awa / Shinobue
Performing Members:
Chieko Kojima (Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble) / Taiko and Dance
Chieko Kojima first encountered Japanese folk dancing when she moved to Sado to join Sado no Kuni Ondekoza in 1976. She went on to become one of Kodo’s founding members in 1981. In addition to her work with Kodo, she also has an active solo career that includes projects such as “Yukiai,” where she seeks out new encounters and collaborations with artists and taiko groups within Japan and throughout the world. Kojima is known for her original dancing style during Kodo’s taiko-based performances, which is best exemplified by her vivid portrayal of the goddess Ameno-uzume in the first season of “Amaterasu'' in 2006. She became a Kodo Distinguished Member in 2012, and was the director of the annual concert series “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island '' for four years, starting from its inaugural season that same year. She continues to ambitiously broaden her expressive outlets, as demonstrated by her recent productions based on the “Tales of Dojoji,” which then became the inspiration for her first photo book, ” Kasane no Kiyohime Monogatari: The Myriad Layers of Kiyohime,” a unique work created with photographer Maiko Miyagawa and released in 2015.
In recent years, she has been holding workshops on dances rooted in Japanese culture, which she has cultivated over many years, and on the theme of her signature performance "Hana Hachijo," focusing on the flexible taiko expression that only a woman can give.
In 2019, she performed in "Kodo: Sen no Mai" in commemoration of her 40th anniversary, and has released a DVD of this once-in-a-lifetime performance.
(Photo by: Takashi Okamoto)
KAOLY Asano（GOCOO)／Taiko
Kaoly Asano formed the group, GOCOO, in 1997 and continues to serve as leader, composer, and performer, establishing a new world fusion style of taiko. GOCOO toured the US in 2000, and toured Europe annually since 2003. As of October 2018, they have performed 240 concerts in 38 countries. Her compositions were used in the film soundtracks of “MATRIX Reloaded”, and “MATRIX Revolutions”.
She has also had concerts in EU, Latin America, Australia, and other countries, and performed at cross-genre concerts (such as Rock, Jazz, and Reggae) including WOMAD in UK, SZIGET in Hungary, Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, BOOM Festival in Portugal.
In the meantime, she also established the TAWOO taiko dojo, holding classes and workshops at various events including at schools from kindergartens and universities. She opened sister Dojos in Hokkaido, Yokohama, Chiba, Ise, Nagano, Homburg, Shanghai, and Brazil, and has taught taiko both domestically and internationally. She has participated in the Third European Taiko Conference that took place in Hamburg, UK Taiko Festival in 2019, and the kaDON taiko retreat the same year. In 2020, she was invited as a performing artist to join the HERbeat concert to celebrate female performers, sharing her spirit and style to a global audience.
(Photo by: Apache Daisuke Furusawa)
Mayumi Hashimoto (Kirishima Kumen Taiko Hozon Kai) / Taiko
Born in Kagoshima-city, Kagoshima, Mayumi Hashimoto joined “Kirishima Kumen Taiko Hozonkai” and started practising taiko in 1973. She then formed a women’s taiko group Kirishima Kumen Taiko “Wakana” with several others and was active for about 10 years (young members are now active as “Wakana”). In 2002, she was awarded the Grand Champion of Odaiko at the First Tokyo International Wadaiko contest. In 2008, she joined Asano Taiko Co., Ltd. and learned the traditional craft of Wadaiko making. She is a certified traditional craftsman of Ishikawa Prefecture. In 2014, she opened “Mori no Taiko Shop Teco-Teco” (as an Asano Taiko Distributor) in Kagoshima Prefecture with the activities of: Selling, repairing, performing, teaching taiko in and outside of Kagoshima and Kyushu. Currently she’s been working on forming a new Wadaiko Group “Suzaku” (Taiko Unit) to connect taiko with the next generation.
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Mizue Yamada (DIA+) / Taiko
Born in Tsuwano, Shimane-prefecture, Mizue Yamada joined a professional Wadaiko Team "Hono Daiko" in 2004. Since then she has performed a number of times at various venues, events, and on TV programs in and outside of Japan. In 2014, she founded her own group "DIA+". She's been creating her own world through performing, composing and stage producing. In 2020, she performed in the HERbeat concert presented by Taiko Arts Midwest in Minnesota, and has been spreading her performance scapes worldwide.
Anna Sato / Amami singer
Anna Sato, whose rich voice evokes the spirits of her native Amami Island, has won many shima uta (island song) contests. She has released seven recordings, receiving international acclaim for her powerful voice and distinctive singing techniques. Today, Anna’s home island of Amami is officially part of Japan, but the archipelago still has its own dialects and cultural traditions that are distinctively different to those of the mainland.
Anna began learning shima uta from her grandfather, Sumio Megumi, from age three. She has been singing ever since, and in (year) she moved to Tokyo to pursue a career in music. In 2016, she performed in concerts around the world, from New York City to Corsica, France. She also caught the eye of renowned choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and participated in his dance production ICON as an arranger and live singer. As a result, Anna has earned innumerable fans worldwide and many more international projects were on the horizon for her. Anna’s mastery of shima uta makes her an important cultural asset both in Amami and for all of Japan. With a deep understanding of tradition and flair for innovation, she at once preserves the rich tradition of shima uta while elevating it to a contemporary art form.
Awa / Shinobue
Awa joined the professional taiko troupe, Shidara in 1989 when it was inaugurated.
In addition to being the main performer, she also composed, directed, and led the group.
Her signature piece, "Nie-buchi", won the Grand Prize at the 1st Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest in 2002.
From 2012 to 2015, she was the chief director of the Shidara national tour, “Ao no Daichi”, and performed as "Kaze-oni-gami". After the final performance of "Ao no Daichi," she left the troupe and became a freelance performing artist. She updated her name from Chabo to Awa, and since April 2015, she has been based in the village of Urugi in Nagano Prefecture, where she has been working on her creative work, following her long-time dream: "Handing down to the children in a thousand years is the treasure of nature”. She has released her first album "Tsuki - Silver Moon, Blue Wind”, and her second album "Iwakusa - Memories from Ancient Times”, while expanding her performance sites widely.
She has opened the "Otokusa School" in her base, Urugi Village, and has been teaching and composing music for the stage, based on the concept of "music that springs from the ground of life”.
Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko
The rhythm of the soul.
Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko was established in 1979.
Since its establishment in 1979, Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko has had numerous taiko performances and appearances within Japan and abroad. They have performed in concerts in more than 60 countries overseas, including the opening of the Shanghai World Expo and the French International Music Festival, as well as at major events in Japan, including the National Cultural Festival.
There are currently eight members in the group. Though these members have their own career and studies, they come together to train daily and make the effort in spreading and developing the Japanese taiko culture throughout the country and abroad.
<Leader: Tadashi Hasegawa>
Vice Chairman, Nippon Taiko Foundation
Technical Committee, Nippon Taiko Foundation
Honorary Chairman, All Kyushu Taiko Association
In 1993, Hasegawa established the All Kyushu Taiko Association and became chairman. He became an honorary chairman in 2012 and continues to the present. In 1998, he became a board member of the Nippon Taiko Federation (now the Nippon Taiko Foundation), and in 2008 he became vice-chairman. In 2011, Hasegawa won the prestigious position (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award) at the Japan Taiko Senior Competition.
Performing Members:
Tadashi Hasegawa, Jun Hasegawa, Kiichi Tominaga, Tatsuya Koide, Ryouta Eto, Shogo Koide, Haruto Anami, Sakura Fujita
STAFF
Sound: Yasuyuki Tanaka
Lighting: Satoru Suzuki
Stage Manager: Miho Saito
Taiko Tech: Otonari Tomozo Kikaku
Production Managers: Yui Kamiya, Ami Akimoto
Assistant Production Manager: Reiko Sekine
Producer: Nobuyuki Nishimura
Video Production and Streaming
Video Production and Streaming Sponsored by: kaDON
Filming / Editing by: Michi Pro Co,.Ltd.
Sound Recording by: Yasuyuki Tanaka, Michi Pro Co,.Ltd.
主催：WORLD TAIKO CONFERENCE実行委員会
後援：公益財団法人日本太鼓財団
協力：宮本卯之助商店、全九州太鼓連合
文化庁「ARTS for the future!」補助対象事業
RELATED VIDEOS
Shogo Ishii from Waraku Soden talks about【TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART】Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
Jennifer Weir talks about the groundbreaking HERbeat concert in 【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】The Value of Taiko in Multicultural Societies
Tadashi Hasegawa from Toyonokuni Yufuin Genryu Taiko talks with international taiko artists online in the live talk session:【TAIKO and COMMUNITY】The Value of Taiko in Diverse Societies
HERbeat Japan performers Chieko Kojima and KAOLY Asano, and Waraku Soden performer Taishi Yamabe talks online in the live talk session: 【TAIKO as a PERFORMING ART】Taiko as an Expression on Stage: Its Development and Future
One of the performers from Waraku Soden Taiko Ensemble, Tsuyoshi Maeda composed a piece for the WTC 2020 Taiko Composition Library :“Uteya-Hayaseya”
![WTC Opening Session/オープニングセッション【WTC LIVE TALK SESSIONS/ライブトークセッション】Topic 3:Taiko & Community[GLOBAL]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JgpWUfXiLrI/maxresdefault.jpg)
![[WTC SONGS] 「打てや囃せや」/“Uteya-Hayaseya” (日本・Japan)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UeMKGrR05BM/maxresdefault.jpg)
INFORMATION
World Taiko Conference Presents Taiko Celebration 2021 ~太鼓の祝祭~
Date: November 6, 2021 (Sat)
Doors open: 14:00 Performance time: 14:30
Venue: J:COM Horuto Hall Oita
Tickets: 5,000 yen (all non-reserved)
Ticket outlets:
Ticket PIA (Japanese Site)
http://ticket.pia.jp/pia/event.ds?eventCd=2128675 (P code: 205726)
［J:COM Holt Hall Oita] (Purchase at venue)（Tel：097-576-8877）
https://shiminhall.horutohall-oita.jp/event/world-taiko-conference-presents-taiko-celebration-2021
［Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten Nishi-Asakusa store］
Tel : 03-3844-2141
Available to purchase at the facility.
Reservations are also accepted by phone.
(The tickets will be available to obtain from Oct. 27 (Wed))
Tel：092-717-7388
Notes:
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Children ages 5 and under are not allowed to enter. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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If you are a wheelchair user, please contact us before purchasing your ticket
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Before arriving at the venue, please ensure you check the latest information on the COVID-19 Countermeasure Protocols available on the WTC website (in Japanese only).
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Please note that all audience members will be required to wear a mask upon entry.
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We will be asking for your cooperation on the day as we will be checking body temperature on the day of the performance upon entry. Those with a fever of 37.5 degrees or higher will be asked to refrain from entering the hall.
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Please note that there is a possiblitiy that there may be changes to the performers on the day
【CONTACT】
Email: World Taiko Conference Committee
wtctokyo@gmail.com
Tel: HIBIKUS Tenjin (Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten）
(+81) 092-717-7388
