(photo by John Fackenthal)
Need a break from debates and indecision? Come relax and enjoy the taiko stylings of DC taiko trio Kizuna and their special guest from Wakayama, Japan, Ryo Shimamoto! Cleanse your political pallet with an energetic and powerful display of Japanese drumming!
Kizuna is a DC-based taiko (Japanese drumming) trio whose members collectively bring 30+ years of diverse taiko experience to the stage. Kizuna reunites three friends who love to share taiko with each other and with audiences. As performers, they seek to embody the awesome synergy of sound and dynamic movement that distinguishes taiko as an art form, as well as the spirit of “kizuna”, the bond of friendship that is the foundation of the North American taiko community.
(photo by Kewaishi Hide)
Ryo Shimamoto first encountered taiko at age 11 in his hometown of Yuasa-cho, Wakayama-Ken. He has been the leader of a local taiko group (Shippu Uchi Daiko) for 15 years, and he became a professional performer and teacher in 2008. At present, he is a solo taiko performer recognized for the outstanding sensitivity and clarity in his playng combined with power.
Ryo’s musicality and style are appreciated for their contrast to traditional volume and brut strength. Because of this, he has won recognition in recent years for playing odaiko, a style he has been training in directly from former Kodo core player, Mr. Katsuji Kondo. Ryo regularly visits various places such as community centers and schools to teach taiko drumming. Each lesson, Ryo emphasizes his style of stretching of various parts of the body in a natural way that benefits young and old students alike.
For Tickets, please contact the Institute of Musical Traditions:
http://www.imtfolk.org/html/imt_calendar.shtml