Wadaiko Ichiro Drummers - Preview

7 Mar 1997 — 1 min read

In the early 1980’s Ichiro Inoue, a master drummer and composr founded the Wadaiko Ichiro Drummes as an alternative to the traditional Japanese drumming troupes. The result is a breathtaking fusion of Western and African sounds with more traditional Japanese music. Visually, you get the elegance of ballet combined with the force and precision of the martial arts.

The drums date back 1500 years and range from the massive taiko drum to the smaller shime-daiko drum. They were used in religious ceremonies as well as a means of rapid communication during the war.

The show itself is stunning. The troupe glides effortlessly across the stage, lugging drums that weigh up to 450 kilo. To achieve such a performance, the drummers train up to seven hours a day for months on end. And this involves weight-training and running

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Issue 1082

From Issue 1082

7th Mar 1997

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