Shidara - Heart of the Immortal Mountain

It's dark.

    Seven drummers take the stage crosslegged in a row. The center drummer begins a fast and steady roll, the others join in one by one. Their control is so precise its as if 7 metronomes are all playing at once. The  steadily building rhythm washes over the audience, a wave of sound.

    Thus begins the performance of Taiko drumming in Laxson auditorium last thursday. As a Music Education major I could dissect for you, the elaborate rhythms and intricate and precise movements that were on display, but that would get very technical very quickly. Take it from me, it takes YEARS of training to play as perfect as those artists did. Taiko drumming is a lifestyle.

    In the program you can read about the inspiration and purpose of the pieces. All of them have a deep connection with the earth and natural elements. The first piece, for example, is labeled simply: "The sounds of heavy rain in the forest." Taiko drumming is a way to spiritual enlightenment. If you have seen Taiko drumming before, or have taken a glance at the top middle picture above, you will notice the unique way in which the drummers strike their drum. They raise the stick up high and with little or no effort allow it to drop onto the drumhead with a quick flick of the wrist. They believe that lifting the stick creates a connection with heaven that they channel into the drum.

    It is very difficult to describe how it feels, and I mean FEELS to be in a Taiko drum performance. You can feel the beats of the big drums rattle your soul. It transcends a performance and you become part of the music.

    The performers create an atmosphere of effortless virtuosity. They smile and laugh while playing, shouting words in japanese occasionally. This playful atmosphere comes to a head on the very last song when we are encouraged to join in clapping along with the rhythms of a traditional harvest festival song. The drummers come into the audience and run around, laughing and trying to lead people on stage. It is at this point when I recall the ticket lady asking me if I cared where I sit...

Dang. I should have said "Aisle, please."

    A whole group of people are led on stage where they dance around a wave their arms with the music. Shidara finishes to a standing ovation, they try to leave but we kept clapping till they played an encore.

Afterwards, 4 of them came out to the lobby and were shaking hands and signing autographs. I got to shake hands with my favorite performer:

Satou Aya

She was smiling the ENTIRE time.

If you ever get a chance to see Taiko, GO. I know I'll be going again.

Shidara's official website: http://www.shidara.co.jp/eshidara/