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Show r 6A V V ' Lakeside Review North, Wednesday, April 4, 1934 Guitar Aliv Ancieni CAROL GRAHAM to the prayers tor rain, and it Review Correspondent The haunting wail of a conch shell tingles the spine as the eight members of the Ogden Buddhist Taiko Group begin their performance. ' The audience is suspended in time. Sounds of a rhythmic drum beat hypnotize and one by one the drums are added until a deafening crescendo is reached. The atmosphere is awesome, yet revives a spirit of freshness and simplicity. The players are obviously dedicated musicians, interested in bringing this form of Japanese culture to the gener- highlighted the festivities in celebration of a bountiful harvest. The Ogden Buddhist Taiko Group members play both for their own enjoyment and for the Buddhist aspect of taiko. which is the total harmony of body and soul, and to be one with the taiko. The drum represents the the ideal world of harmony; the drummer represents man, the ideal world of delusion; and the bachi. or drumsticks, represent the connecting link between the two Buddha-Dharm- a, worlds. ' All members of the group arc al American public. Taiko is a traditional percus- Japanese. full-blood- Bud- dhists, and range in age from 8 to 27. Many of the group live in used on sion instrument, Davis County. The size of the throughout Japanese history. It has varied since it was group of was a vital means six years ago. and curformed the spirit communicating six female and two has rently of the Japanese people. male members. Taiko comes from the JapaThe purpose of our group is nese words tai meaning large, further the Japanese culture to thick, great, and ko" meaning education of a traditionthrough tradiarc drum. These drums ancient al art form, explained hola from made single tionally lowed tree trunk, and come in Caryn Yamada of Layton. The drums we use were made varying sizes. The sound is determined by the size and shape by our members and we alterof the drum and the tightness of nate as leaders so that each of us the animal skin drawn over the gains experience in announcing top. A lower tone comes from a and playing the different instrularge drum, while a high pitched ments. sound is produced from a There is a special name for smaller one. each instrument and each one Taiko was first used by priests has a definite part in the pattern, to drive away evil spirits and rid or song, that is played. A pattern the crops of insects. Soldiers in may begin with an atariganc, the battlefield used taiko to which is a metal gong or bell, frighten the enemy, as well as to that is struck with a deerhorn spiritually inspire the warriors in mallet. The rhythm is then battle. In times of drought, it picked up by the shime, (prowas an essential accompaniment a small high nounced 1 Yamada and Stan Hirai. All of Japanese descent, the musicians are enthusiastic about their culture. for upcoming performance are members of the Buddhist Taiko Group, Kari Kato (front) Caryn REHEARSING . shy-mee- ), pitched drum tied with rope. Additional drums take up the beat until the odaiko. a large base drum, pounds a roar that shakes they very soul of all who hear it. The members of this group are key-ey- . tion the taiko brings to each of two male members are Stan Hirthe members. ai of Salt Lake City, and Todd Female members of the Ogden Hattori, Sunset. We have performed at the Buddhist Taiko Group are Christy and Karr Kato of Clin- Salt Lake Arts Festival for the ton, Gaylene Endo, Clearfield. past three years, said Todd, and we really enjoy the opporSally and Betty Yamada, West Point, and Caryn Yamada. The tunity and the experience. serious about taiko. They arrive in special dress and do not begin routine until a rigorous warm-u- p has been accomplished. Each wears a happi, which is a shirtlike tunic with tie belt, and snow white shorts. On their feet are tabi, a close fitting white sock that looks like a mitten for the foot, with the big toe separate. It is made like this so that tongs may be worn comfortably and easily. The hachimaki completes the costume, and is a headband, twisted and tied around the head and forehead. A circle is formed as the members warm-u- p using stretching exercises similar to an aerobic rountine. Suddenly a wild sound is heard again and again around the circle. This is called kiai, and is a (prnounced sound released from deep within the body to allow tension to escape 4and loosen up the body in preparation for playing the taiko. Next is a series of warm-u- p patterns using enormous amounts of energy and body discipline. Each member shows ex- TCLEARFIELD CITIZENS & OTHERS! 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