Feel the Beat: Inside Rojyoh, The Beat On The Road!
The Schimmel floor boards are about to feel a rhythm like none other before! On Sunday, November 24, the Yamato drummers of Japan will thrill our patrons with their legendary Wadaiko drum show. The group was founded in 1993 by Masa Ogawa in Nara which is doubly known as “The Land of Yamato” as well as the “Birth of Japanese Culture”.
The performers make use of a special drum set known as Taiko. The Taiko is an entire range of percussive instruments that all have origins in Japanese culture. The drums are deeply seeded in all areas of Japanese heritage, including mythology, warfare, theatre and family life. The most common held mythology about the origin of the drum has to do with a sibling rivalry between the goddess of sunlight, Amaterasu and her brother, Susanoo, the god of the sea. Susanoo had made his sister, Amaterasu so angry that the goddess locked herself in a deep cave behind a very heavy boulder. The gods tried many different tactics to budge the boulder from the cave in order to bring sunlight back to the earth, but to no avail. Then the clever Shinto goddess, Ame no Uzume developed a plan to conjure her friend from her hiding place. Ame no Uzme emptied a sake barrel, turned it upside down and proceeded to jump rhythmically and repeatedly on the barrel. The other gods and goddesses were so captivated by her dance that they too emptied sake barrels and joined in with her splendid rhythms. Intrigued by the sounds on the other side of the boulder, and not wishing to miss out on the merriment, Amaterasu lifted the boulder and returned from her reclusive spot in order to bring sunshine to Japan once more.
The actual origins of the ancient instrument are very murky. Some scholars believe that the drum’s lineage may trace back to the sub-continent of India between the years of 400-600 CE. Archeological evidence of Taiko in Japan is a bit more recent. Archeologists have uncovered Haniwa statues (Japanese, terracotta burial figures) that date back as far as 300 BC. These figures are depicted playing Taiko drums. Further archeological evidence of the drums has been traced back as far as the Kofun period, which is the oldest recorded period in Japanese history. Durring Japan’s feudal era, the Taiko was used as a tool of motivation and communication among the nation’s troops in war. The Drum’s beat could set a marching pace and it could also be used to give orders in a special rhythmic code.Today the Taiko is still evident in Japanese culture as part of Kabuki plays and kumi- daiko performance groups.
“Rojyoh,” promises to be a celebration of Japanese heritage, rhythm, musical expertise and athleticism. Be sure to watch the video below to get a true understanding of what this remarkable event will be. Then secure your tickets for an astounding event which promises to be a fun and exciting evening for the entire family!
ROJYOH, THE BEAT ON THE ROAD: Yamato the Drummers of Japan
November 24th at 7:30pm $45 | $35 | $25
20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR!
For Tickets, visit schimmel.pace.edu or call (866) 811-4111
See You at the Schimmel!
Michael Torbet
2013-14 Pace Presents’ Blogger
