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from Kaji Yama Taiko, Oakland CA |
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Photo: Boston Village Gamelan
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Kaji
Yama Taiko (the fire mountain drums) Kaji Yama Taiko, the Fire Mountain Drums, draws from a 400 year history of Japanese drum ritual and ancient Buddhist philosophy. The making of our drums and stands, our costumes, and the practice of the music, are shaped by culture and tradition. Our movement and our music, however, are contemporary and they emphasize modern innovation and fresh stylistic interpretation. We have been influenced by the famous Taiko master Seiichi Tanaka and we have also studied with performers from Ondekoza, Kodo, and Matsuri-Shu. Our style, however, is not a copy of any of these great teachers. This is because we have also been influenced by Buddhist philosophy which reminds us that "Nothing is permanent. Everything changes." |