Taiko drumming group sets the beat for tsunami-hit city's summer festival (JAPAN)

[AsahinaKimi]

Members of the Kobuo-kai taiko drumming group perform in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, on July 17. (Mainichi)


KAMAISHI, Iwate -- A local taiko drumming group gave their all here at a summer festival on July 17, performing to bring life and energy to this tsunami-devastated city.

The group, called Kobuo-kai, lost one 28-year-old member, Yuki Kuramata, on March 11, when tsunamis pummeled Japan's northeast coast in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. All 29 of their drums were taken by the waves, though they managed to recover 14 from the ruins.

"We will take (Kuramata)'s will and his regrets and play so that it echoes in heaven," said Kobuo-kai leader Hayato Sato, 41.



The stage where the group performed, surrounded by ruins, was decorated with fishing boat flags and a banner reading "Kamaishi's recovery starts here!" As the group's drums thundered to such crescendos as to reach the souls of the tsunamis' dead, the survivors watched, listened, and smiled.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110718p2a00m0na005000c.html

I just love taiko drums!

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. REC from another drum lover!

[AsahinaKimi]

2. Every year if I can I go

See our own San Francisco Taiko dojo play.. They are awesome..I just love Taiko!

SF TAIKO DOJO!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ilm7EXYZ0

MORE SF TAIKO DOJO!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qduPHBdQHo0&feature=related

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Nice! thanks for the links.

:hi:

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Keru (kick)

Susumeru (recommend)
(Although I don't think that actually write that on Japanese sites) :)

[AsahinaKimi]

5. OOh nice!

I will have to write those down! Is nice to have new vocabulary! doumo arigatou gozaimasu!