Omiyage

Shoji Kameda composed Omiyage as a gift to taiko groups around the world. Omiyage, which means "souvenir," is taught and passed on to any taiko group who wants to learn it. The piece shows everything that's fun and unique about the art of wadaiko.

Hayate

Meaning "strong wind" or "swift wind." Hayate was composed by former Oedo Sukeroku Taiko member Ryuichi Yoshinari, a professional soloist and leader of team Volkreis in Toyama, Japan. Hayate's sweeping motions and fast fuchi (rim) hits are its defining features.

Momiji

Momiji is a shamisen duet written by Hibiki Ichikawa. The title translates to "red-turned leaves" and conveys the changing of the color of leaves when Autumn arrives. Hibiki-san is a London based professional Tsugaru shamisen player who, along with teaching, has recorded two albums, collaborated with multiple artists, and has been featured in Nike's Dunk advertising campaign.

Kaifuu

Kaifuu means "ocean wind." As the piece progresses, Kaifuu itself represents ocean waves in various states of calm and excitement, stirred by the wind. This is conveyed by the strong but steady rhythm and wave-like motions.

Agari Yatai

Agari Yatai was composed by Yoichi Watanabe, leader of Amanojaku. Today the piece is performed worldwide, and was featured in a 1200-person performance celebrating the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil.

Drive

The fast rhythm and repeated pointing motions signify the drive to stay ahead and achieve.

Rhythm Sandwich

The name of this piece puns on san to ichi, or "three and one," which sounds like the Japanese word for sandwich (sandoichi). It is influenced by the fast syncopation of big-band swing.

Lion Chant

From the composer: "Lion Chant is based off of two of my favorite styles of music: the music for the Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance of the Tokyo Area) and the Balinese style of vocal percussion called kecak. I originally composed this piece for On Ensemble and as such it has a more contemporary feel to it. The first half of the piece is based on the pattern Yatai for Kotobuki Jishi that you play when the lion first makes its entrance. The second half of the piece is based on kecak patterns that interlock to form an intricate rhythmic tapestry. This piece can be arranged in many different ways. In the On Ensemble videos you'll see it played with taiko and western drum kit. You can create all taiko versions or collaborate with other percussionists. There are many directions this piece can take. Enjoy Lion Chant!”

Matsuri Taiko

Matsuri Taiko, or "festival drumming," draws its main rhythm from a traditional pack-driver's folksong, Kage Bushi, often sung at festivals in Japan. Matsuri Taiko features individual players performing improvisational solos. The main body of Matsuri was written by Seiichi Tanaka of San Francisco Taiko Dojo from various common bon daiko patterns and arranged by St. Louis Osuwa Taiko.

Intermission

Enjoy your 20 minute intermission. Use the restroom, buy merchandise, get snacks!

Kagura

This is a piece about the mythical origin of wadaiko. The goddess of the sun, Amaterasu, was upset because her brother ran his oxen over her fields, destroying them. Pouting, she holed herself up in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. Ame no Uzume danced on an overturned sake barrel, making the first sounds of taiko. The gods had such a good time, Amaterasu could not resist and coming out.

Thank you St. Louis Okinawa Eisa Yui | セントルイス沖縄エイサー結

Thank you to our special guests from St. Louis Okinawa Eisa Yui

Eisa is an ancient form of traditional folk dance originating from obon, which is a sacred time of honoring and celebrating ancestors.

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Oni-Daiko

Former member Laura composed this piece after learning the Oni (demon) drumming style of Sado Island from Kodo. It features elements of that style and a haunting violin melody.

Three Rabbits

Three Rabbits is inspired by Japanese tales of the rabbit one can see in the face of the moon. Three rabbits (the oodaiko players) chase each other and dance as they pound mochi (the oodaiko).

The Egg and I

You might recognize this from the soundtrack for the popular anime series, “Cowboy Bebop.” Our arrangement uses darbuka and chuudaiko for the back beat and changes up the melody by swapping concert flute for fue and slide guitar for slide shamisen.

Tsurugi no Mai

Tsurugi No Mai depicts a dance or duel between swordsmen. Former member Robin Yang drew her inspiration from her brief exploration of Wu Shu and daydreams conjured from the occasional martial arts film.

Mizumoto-en

Mizumoto-en is a short piece written for melody instruments, usually shamisen and fue, with a traditional matsuri beat. The tranquility of the melody was inspired by and is dedicated to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, MO, the site of a favorite annual performance.

Yatai Bayashi

Yatai Bayashi is a much-loved and performed taiko piece with many variations in the taiko community. Adapted from the festival music from Chichibu, Japan, this piece was made into a performance piece and popularized by the group Ondekoza. The players are put to the test with fast paced drumming and a partial sit-up position that requires strict training to maintain.

Kokoro no Koe

Kokoro no Koe means "voice of the heart." This piece is about reflecting upon the accomplishments, disappointments and aspirations in our lives. Although this is a calm and quiet process, there is also the pressure of time impelling us to make the decisions that affect our future.

Tenchi

Tenchi, which means "heaven and earth," was composed by Joe Kimura, who was responsible for revitalizing St. Louis Osuwa Taiko in 1996 and leading it from 1996 to 2000. Tenchi, originally inspired by the fast rhythms in San Jose Taiko's piece, "Free Spirit," features drummers playing high pitched shimedaiko and low pitched chuudaiko, thus inspiring the name. This piece features fast hands, precise motions and improvisational solos.

Thank You!

Thank you so much for coming out! We really couldn't do this without your support.