I have never been to a taiko performance before, and my expectations are rather low heading into the auditorium.
It would be entertaining, I am sure, but how exciting could these drums really be? The answer: pee-in-your-pants exciting.
Taiko drumming turned out to be one of the coolest things I saw while in Japan. Walking out of the show I was (am still am) convinced that if I ever find myself living in Japan, I will become a taiko drumming master.
In addition to the drumming there was also an orchestra performance, hula dancing, traditional Japanese singing, a chorus group, and the thing where two people dance inside a dragon and frighten children. Best of all? It was free and open to the public! I love Japan.
Our MC for the night.
The opening act.
This school orchestra knew how to jam.
The young, future masters of taiko drumming.
Minyo Japanese folk singing with shamisen accompaniment.
Taiko drumming main event.
Serenading the audience with songs I don't understand.
A duel between taiko drummers.
Carefully choreographed dancing dragons.
Taiko drumming intensifies.
Some hula dancing to mix things up.
The little boy in the middle stole the show here.
Taiko drummers starting to sweat now.
Perhaps my favorite performance of the night – I want to drum the big drum.
I hope this show never ends.
