If you hear loud drumming when you pass by Steveston Museum this Sunday, don’t be alarmed; that’s just the sound of ancient Japanese drumming.
Steveston Museum invites families and friends to come out for it’s second Picnic in the Past, this one dubbed Japan Style.
Tetsu Taiko, the city’s first organized taiko group and just the second youth taiko group in the Lower Mainland, will be one of the feature performances at the Aug. 17 event that will run from noon to 4 p.m.
Group member, Doug Masuhara, says onlookers will be treated to a mixed taiko style, co-mingling the traditional drumming instruments and style with the contemporary, North American styled taiko involving an ensemble of drummers.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that taiko drummers began to play as a group or ensemble (kumi-daiko), which opened the door to more original and emphatic sounds and style.
“We usually create our own arrangements of taiko pieces but when we don’t, we always give credit back to the original composer,” says Masuhara.
Tetsu Taiko often performs traditional Japanese pieces that are within the public domain, says Masuhara. But, the group is currently in the midst of creating their own works.
“Composing an original piece is a slow process,” he adds. “But we’re working on it.”
The art of Japanese drumming, established thousands of years ago, was developed with Chinese and Korean influences, Masuhara says. A blend of styles and instruments later became something uniquely Japanese.
Taiko itself refers to a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments, mainly drums, but also rhythm, clothing and accompanying instruments such as the flute. But, says Masuhara, Tetsu is strictly a drumming ensemble.
The Richmond taiko group was formed 14 years ago and has developed into a community favourite.
It started as one class of 13 participants, the majority of which were elementary students, says Masuhara, although, there were a couple high school students and a university participant.
Now, however, the local taiko group has evolved into something even more intergenerational.
The performance art is a featured activity at the South Arm Community Centre for the 55-plus demographic.
Stella Au, South Arm’s older adults coordinator, says the Taiko55 program is quite popular, with summer sessions completely booked.
“While a performance art,” says Au, “it’s also a good form of exercise and a fun activity that can be targeted at younger seniors.”
The community centre is also looking into adding an adult session.
So, audiences captivated by Tetsu Taiko on Sunday should keep in mind they can also join the action.
Visit the website, Richmond.ca, under recreation and community centres, to register for a fall taiko session.
