On August 24, 2024, we held the 19th Experience Japanese Culture firsthand featuring Wadaiko-Japanese drum!

It was an energetic event that helped blow away the fatigue of the scorching summer heat!　

TSUWAMONO SAI

The Japanese drum for this event was taught by Tetsuro Suzuki and his group, “TSUWAMONO Sai.”

They are a comprehensive Japanese performing arts ensemble based in Aichi Prefecture, actively performing traditional Japanese music at various events.

They also participated in our March 2024 event, “Japan Folk Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.”

Did you know that even among taiko drums, there are various types that produce different sounds?

We began by introducing each instrument and comparing the unique sounds they produce.

Just thinking about striking the drums soon is so exciting!

Next, they performed two pieces: “Soran Bushi” and their original composition titled “Raku.”

We’ll be practicing these songs together!

The interweaving sounds of taiko drums, shamisen, and shinobue flute…

The live performance right in front of us, with the musicians’ full-bodied energy, was vibrant and powerful, resonating through our bodies and sending vibrations we could feel on our skin!

The sound of these traditional Japanese instruments seems to awaken Japanese spirit within.

The excitement among participants to try drumming for themselves was at its peak!

hands-on practice begins!

Everyone looked a bit nervous, wondering, “Will I be able to play well?” But now it’s time to actually try the drums! We’ll start with a group practice.

To make a good sound, the way you hold the drumsticks and your posture are key!

Practice time begins, with everyone cheering each other on!

We start with simple rhythms, gradually adding more movement and increasing the difficulty.

Everyone is aiming to complete a full piece within the time, striking the drums and slowly absorbing the rhythm, picking up tips and techniques along the way.

The members of Samurai Goken (Five Swords), dedicated to sharing the spirit of the samurai with the world, were also enthusiastically participating!

The finishing poses after the performance were spot-on!

The team members from TSUWAMONO Sai are right there to help with any challenging parts, so everyone feels at ease.

At first, the sounds were a bit scattered, but gradually they gained unity and depth!

The participants split into two groups for their performance!

They’ll be playing the song they practiced, Raku, all the way through.

With an audience right in front of them, there’s a bit of nervousness—it really makes everyone feel focused!

Now, it’s time to showcase the results of their hard work!

TEAM AWESOME

They performed with such joy and rhythm! Their smiles were fantastic!

You could feel the sense of accomplishment from completing the whole piece!

Here’s the men’s team!

TEAM SAMURAI

Their bold and passionate performance was truly impressive!

Finally, a group photo to capture the memories!

You could feel the energy and vibrations radiating from everyone as they played the drums with their whole bodies!

It was a fantastic experience of unity, brought to life through the sound and rhythm of the drums.

We hope you were able to fully appreciate the allure of wadaiko (Japanese drums), and that this experience inspires you to continue connecting with them in the future.

A big thank you to all participants and the TSUWAMONO Sai team!

We look forward to seeing you at the next Experience Japanese Culture Firsthand!