Magical Sounds of Japan at an Amber Sunset
By Oleg K. Temple, August 2009.
On Monday, the 10th of August, 2009 the Latvian Spa Town of Jūrmala resonated to the deep, bold sounds of Joji Hirota (廣田丈自) and the Taiko Drummers. Joji Hirota is an internationally-renowned master of percussion who studied under the great Maestro ltto Ohba of Hokkaido. Since the 1970s Master Hirota has been forging his skill to perfection with fiery passion and dedication through countless concerts around the world. Over the years, Master Hirota has seeded numerous percussion ensembles and trained countless disciples in his unique understanding and style of drumming.
A Little Knowledge
For the uninitiated: Taiko Drums (太鼓) are percussion instruments originating in Japan, most of which are struck with sticks (bachi), exceptions to this rule are the kotsuzumi and ootsuzumi drums. The instruments have tightly stretched heads on both sides of the drum body, sealing resonating wooden chamber.
Taiko are categorized by way of construction into two groups: non-tuneable Byou-uchi Daiko (鋲撃ち太鼓) (with heads nailed to its body; typically created from a single, hollowed out piece of the beautiful and dense keyaki tree欅木) and Tsukushime-Daiko (付締め太鼓) (with heads sewn onto metal rings, which are then tightly laced all around the drum).
A Jazz master named Daihachi Oguchi (小口 大八, 1924 - 2008) is widely credited for establishing and popularizing the modern way of Taiko ensembles from 1951. However, the roots of Taiko drumming are much more deep and ancient, as the majestic drums were extensively used in times of old to inspire troops, entertain temperamental royal courts, scare away evil spirits and even in shrines and temples to calm and appease the gods. Truly, Taiko drumming is the heartbeat of Japan.
A Pleasant Surprise
I must confess that I am not much of a concert-goer myself — the lack of parking places, throngs of noisy gawkers bedizened in brand-name clothes and the discomfort of ever-shrinking personal space never held much of an allure for me. I always preferred to enjoy good music in the car or while relaxing in my living room. So as I settled onto the pew-like bench beside other guests, I expected the evening to wear into a predictable grind punctuated by impatient, boisterous shoving of late-comers and uncouth mutterings of obnoxious spectators, followed by an inevitably long trip home. There was nothing remotely predictable about this evening. I could scarcely contain the overwhelming wave of emotions that crashed over me as the drums began to sing, this serendipitous evening will long live in my heart.
With the new breath of life granted by the 2004-2006 renovation, the large Dzintari (Amber) Concert Hall now packs 2024 seats and a 5-level stage favoured by choirs, symphonic orchestras and jazz musicians. This was one of the first open concert halls in Latvia. It incorporates state of-the-art acoustic and constructional solutions such as glass rhomb-studded ceiling and a transforming stage platform. With the absence of walls, the space seamlessly merges into the surrounding dune park of Jūrmala.
The concert was part of the Fifth Annual International Music Festival in Jūrmala – “SUMMERTIME – Inessa Galante & Friends” that spanned nearly a week, from the 7th until the 12th of August; deftly put together by HBF – the Herman Braun Foundation. The HBF music agency was so named in tribute to the legendary Latvian composer and pianist.
In December 2005, Jūrmala City Council awarded the HBF with the Prize of the Year for the successful realization of the first festival "SUMMERTIME – Inessa Galante & Friends" and valuable contributions to culture of the city. The following year, in October 2006, the general director of HBF, Inna Davidova, received the Rienzi Award for valuable contributions made to culture.
As the concert commenced, the bass of the mighty drums, amplified by the carefully-arranged acoustics, rose and rolled out of the unconfined concert hall, spilling into the quiet forest beyond. Indeed, if the hall did have windows, they would have been shaking and trembling, just as the rice harvest song, Kokiriko Bushi goes: 「まどのさんさはででれこでん、、！」
A feast for the senses
As the day melded into night, the drum beats waxed and blossomed in the evening stillness. The percussionists, dressed in beautiful gi shone on stage, putting on a splendid show that brimmed with grace, power and synchronized vigour. The enthralling rhythms they unleashed kept the audience breathlessly riveted to their seats throughout the performance. Occasionally, the drum heads would fall silent leaving behind just the crisp clicking sounds of bachi expertly clipping the drum bellies as the whirling musicians worked in beautiful unison. Suddenly, the loud leather voices would ever-so-briefly re-establish control, swelling to a crescendo and then, gift-wrapped in starkly contrasting silence, the audience would bask in the unpredictable and pure cascading waves of sound created by one of Master Hirota's solos.
As the evening wore on, all musicians took turns on the largest Taiko Drum, Ōdaiko (大太鼓) and Master Hirota delighted the audience with two traditional Hokkaido pieces in which he sang and played the Japanese flute, Shakuhachi (尺八). Prior to each song Master Hirota patiently taught the audience the chorus and the hall rocked with enthusiastic Latvians joining in singing the rice harvest and the fishermen's songs in Japanese. It was without a doubt, an extraordinary experience!
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I was surprised to see the Dzintari Concert Hall attract a full-capacity-crowd for such an exotic concert. Yet there they were, Latvians from crib to old age, eagerly come to sample the round sound of Japan; and sample it they did as initial curiosity escalated into a thirst that could not be sated as the deafening ovation confirmed at the end of the show.
Programme:
1. Fujin (風神）
2. Apotheosis
3. Kekkai (結界）
4. Solan Bushi (fisherman's song from Hokkaido)
5. Suisei Hanabi (comet, shooting stars and fireworks)
interval
1. Hiten Ryu (飛天 龍）
2. Chido Setsu (地動説）
3. Hokkai (北海、this piece combines compositions of Master Hiroto and his teacher and mentor, Maestro Itto Ohba, to whom it is dedicated. Maestro Itto Ohba passed away 17years ago; his music was always intended to reflect the nature of Hokkaido.)
4. Kokiriko Bushi (rice planting working song from Toyama, Fukui pref. Originally it's田楽 (den gaku)
5. Harvest (五穀豊穣「gokoku houjou」）
The Taiko Drummers are:
Mr. Joji Hirota (from Hokkaido, 北海道)
"At the age of eleven, he began a lifelong study of percussion and has been composing from the age of thirteen. He studied at the Kyoto City University of Arts. In 1972 he was invited by STOMU YAMASHITA to be the musical director and percussionist of the RED BUDDHA THEATRE. In 1977 he became the musical director and percussionist for the LINDSAY KEMP DANCE COMPANY. Hirota toured extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, Canada and the USA, South America and Japan. He has released four solo albums, "SAHASUHARA", "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" "RAIN FOREST DREAM" and "THE GATE"."
"Joji's greatest influence is his training with the group Hokkai Daiko, led by the great Taiko master ltto Ohba, based in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. He was very impressed by their music and found it to be the spiritual centre of his drumming. Ohba gave Joji permission to use the name 'Hokkai Daiko' to describe his drumming."
Source www.jojihirota.com/en/bio.html and http://www.jojihirota.com/en/Taiko.html
During his long, illustrious career, Master Hirota has collaborated with many other stars of international acclaim, such as Pete Lockett and Anthony Phillips.
Ms. Yukiko Kato (from Chiba, 千葉県)
Played Taiko at the local festivals in Chiba. Performing with Master Hirota for over 5 years.
Mr. Akinori Fujimoto (from Osaka, 大阪市)
Studied percussion drums at Goldsmith College in London. Playing Taiko with Master Hirota for 3 years.
Ms. Ayako Tabo (from Saitama, 埼玉県,)
Studied Piano, Performing art, composition at Goldsmith College. Playing Taiko with Master Hirota for 3 years.
Mr. Yoshinori Hayashi (from Nagoya, 名古屋市)
Studied musicology and violin at Goldsmith College. Playing Taiko with Master Hirota for 2 years.
A Personal Connection
Long before I began studying the Japanese language 4 years ago and even before I took up Masutatsu Ōyama's (大山倍達) Kyokushin Karate (極真空手) 12 years ago, I have been consumed by a strong desire to learn more about the enchanted Land of the Rising Sun.
Japanese music has always tugged at the chords of my heart, filling me with nostalgic melancholy. My private collection includes works by Kodo, Kitarō, Uttara Kuru, Kiyoshi Yoshida, Soh Daiko, and many other amazing artists... However, even digitally mastered music seems dull and inert in comparison to the musical whirlwind I had the good fortune to witness at Dzintari. Ever since I first watched Shintarō Katsu's (勝 新太郎) Zatoichi films, Taiko drumming has lived in my heart and on the list of must-try experiences in this life-time. This concert took that desire to a new level of intensity.
I was disappointed to learn that there is no Taiko drum seminar at the Riga Taikai Japan Culture Days 2009 event taking place at the Arēna Riga and other venues over the next week. I deeply hope that in the fullness of time, one of Mr. Hirota's students comes to give a seminar in one of the local music collages, such as Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music or at an event such as Riga Taikai. I would be among the first in line to sign up!
This was my first real encounter with Kumidaiko (組太鼓), I can confidently predict that my future holds many more. If you have the opportunity to see Joji Hirota and the Taiko Drummers live, don't miss it — afterwards you too may feel impelled to augment the beat of your life!
© Oleg K. Temple, Cornerstonesworld.com, 2009.
Special thanks to Master Joji Hirota for kindly providing me with the evening's programme and musicians' information for this article. 大変お世話になりありがとうございました。
For more information, you may visit Master Hirota's Official Website here: www.jojihirota.com.
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