Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Chousensha
About Yamato
Sunday, March 18, 2018 3PM • Jackson Hall
Exuberantly loud, boisterously active and frenetically energetic, Yamato is an exciting group of 11 young performers from Japan. Much more than simply a drumming group, Yamato blends theater and musical arts into a performance of tightly synchronized percussion and expressive solos. In Chousensha, or “The Challengers,” Yamato challenges themselves to achieve their potential. They say “people challenge themselves every day. Under the sky, on the ground, they keep moving forward with hope and dreams in their hearts. Sometimes, they are alone. Sometimes, they are hand in hand with someone. In pouring rain, in approaching darkness, we gather all our courage and challenge our unpredictable lives.” Yamato was founded by Masaki Ogawa in 1993 in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan and “the land of the Yamato.” The name Yamato has special significance for this group: In the eighth century, Japan was then known as Yamato and Nara was the city where Japanese culture is believed to have started. Yamato combines traditional Japanese musical formats with modern rhythms and themes. The inclusion of women in the group is a clear break with Japanese tradition.
About Taiko Taiko (Japanese for “big drum”) is a relatively modern revival of ancient Japanese drumming traditions. The word taiko refers not only to the art of Japanese drumming but also to the drums themselves. Taiko incorporates drums up to eight feet in diameter, struck with wooden sticks using full-body enthusiasm and almost ritualistic choreography influenced by Shinto and Buddhist traditions, the martial arts and the delicate, stylized movement of Japanese theater.
LEARN MORE: Yamato offcial website: www.yamatodrummers.com Message from Yamato: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-XYP-aC1x4
The specific types of drums used by taiko were present in ancient India and are thought to have migrated with Buddhism across China to Japan. Archeological findings in Japan indicate that taikostyle drums were present in 500 A.D. The drums used in Buddhist temples were originally intended to represent the voice of Buddha, and to help worshipers become more in touch with a sense of inner awe.
Haniwa, dated to the 6th century A.D. The left and right depict two drum performers. The statue on the left, depicted using a stick on a barrelshaped drum, represents the earliest evidence of taiko usage in Japan.C.
A special thanks to Mondavi Center Arts Education for helping us welcome our youngest audience members.
Mythology of Taiko The Tale of Amaterasu and the Cave tells of the mythological origin of the taiko (drum) and drummer in Japan. The following is one version of the tale. One day long ago, the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, was visited by her brother Susano, the Storm God. He carelessly let loose his horses in her rice fields to feed them. Amaterasu’s crops were destroyed and she became very angry. So great was her anger that she hid away inside a cave vowing never to come out. The people on earth began to worry. If Amaterasu remained in the cave there would be no more sunshine upon the earth. Without sunshine, the earth would be dark and cold and crops would not grow. Surely they would die. So the people prayed to the gods and goddesses to help them. Finally, Uzume, the Goddess of Mirth, came forward. Uzume went to the cave entrance and began a joyous dance upon a hollow log (barrel). She stomped her feet, beating out wild and inviting rhythms. Inside the cave, Amaterasu’s curiousity grew. She had to find out what was making the wonderful sounds. Outside the cave entrance, the gods and goddesses held a great mirror (the first mirror made by the gods). When Amaterasu peeked out of the cave, her great radiance was captured by the mirror. Amaterasu was so delighted by her beautiful reflection that she forgot her anger and sunshine was restored to the earth.
Clothing of Taiko Hand-colored print of a woman playing a Shime-daiko.
Taiko is, at its roots, a folk music. It grew from the need for music at festivals and celebrations in ancient Japanese village life. All of the people in the village were included: farmers, carpenters, fishermen, everyone. When they played, they often wore the clothes they worked in. Over time these work clothes developed into the clothing worn today. The Hachimaki (headband) was originally used by farmers and fishermen as a towel to wipe away sweat. Today it is worn by anyone that intends to work hard. The Japanese also believe that putting pressure on the forehead helps concentration. Japanese children wear the Hachimaki with the rising sun symbol to help them study. Happi—The coat worn by taiko players is called the Happi coat. It is believed that this style developed from a coat designed by the fire brigades of Tokyo in the Edo period. It is meant to be simple, colorful and provide for freedom of movement, perfect for taiko. Happi comes from the Chinese word for chair covering, which it resembles. The Donburi or vest was originally a carpenter’s tool belt. It has many pockets for tools, nails and rulers. After a taiko piece is played, the drummer will often use the pockets of his Donburi to hold the bachi (drumsticks) while moving equipment. Pants—The pants are referred to as Momohiki. The shoes of a taiko drummer are called Tabi like mittens for the feet, they are shaped to keep the big toe separate from the others. Most Japanese find this more comfortable, probably because they are used to wearing thongs which also have something between the big toe and the other toes. The socks underneath are shaped the same way in order to fit comfortably. Many carpenters also wear Tabi. The gap between the toes allows the carpenters to use their feet to climb bamboo scaffolding much more quickly. Teki or wristbands are worn to keep the wrists warm and limber during cold Japanese winters. They also prevent sweat from running onto the hands and making the bachii slippery. The sticks used to play the taiko are called Bachi. Drummers use different stick sizes, shapes and weights depending on the drum being played. In Japan, Japanese oak is most often used because it has a long straight grain. This prevents small pieces from chipping off when the drum is played very hard. ln America, drummers use oak or ironwood.
Introductions of Taiko and Instruments
Miya-daiko This is a beer barrel–shaped drum with tacked heads made of one big piece of wood (Japanese cypress, zelkova, oak). It was brought to Japan from China through Korea around the 15th century. The Miya-daiko is used mainly for Japanese traditional festivals. Hira-daiko These taiko drums are made in the same way as Miya-daiko. Their diameter is longer than a man’s height. Okedo-daiko These are lace-headed drums of various sizes. Many pieces of wood are put together to make an Okedo-daiko. The biggest Okedo-daiko in Japan is 12.5 feet in diameter. It is made light so that it can be played while being carried. Musicians frequently play this type of taiko drums at the Shishimai (Japanese dance-like play) or Kabuki. Shime-daiko A small drum with laced heads, the Shime-daiko was brought to Japan from Kudara (Korea) around the 6th century. Its body is made of zelkova or pine tree which is hollowed out inside. Cow skin is put over each end and fastened with hemp. This taiko drum has a high-pitched sound and is often used to play fast rhythm. Chappa A small bronze cymbal, the Chappa was used widely in the ancient Near East. Passing along the Silk Road, it was first brought to China, and then to Japan around the Nara Era. It is often used at religious services.
Shamisen One of the best-known Japanese instruments, the Shamisen is used to provide accompaniment to different styles of vocal music and theatrical performances. The Shamisen came to Japan from China via the Ryukyu Island and was fashioned into its current shape during the 16th century. It has a long thin neck and a box which resonates when its three strings are plugged with a big plectrum called Bachi. The Shamisen became widely popular from about the 17th century. Today, it can be heard accompanying Kabuki, Bunraku and Joruri performances as well as traditional dances and folk songs. Koto The Koto was introduced to Japan in the Nara Era as one of the instruments used in Japanese court music and dance from China in the Tang Dynasty. The first Japanese Koto was the Chikushi Koto. The unique composer Kenko Yamada used the Koto as his main instrument. Before that, the Koto was only used as an accompaniment. Yamada continued improving the instrument in cooperation with Koto master Fusayoshi Shigemoto and together they created a new type of Koto of approximately 6 feet wide. This increased the volume of sound dramatically. The sound also became much clearer. Yamato’s Koto is the original Yamada Koto and the production method and playing technique have been passed down through today. The best sound quality for the Yamada Koto is acquired with a hollowed out Paulownia tree 40 to 50 years old having a diameter of about 15 inches.
Shinobue The Shinobue is a Japanese flute made from shino-bamboo. There are 12 types of Shinobue flutes, each having seven holes. The Shinobue acts as the melodic counterpart to the rhythm of the taiko.