Featured Artist.
Few instruments have remained as unchanged and yet stayed as vibrantly relevant to their culture at large as the Japanese Koto. For many, hearing just a few expressive notes played on the Koto brings to mind the simple yet elegant beauty of traditional Japan.
Yayoi Kawamura
Coming from a family steeped in Japanese tradition, it was inevitable that Miss Kawamura would be drawn to an instrument such as Koto from an early stage. Her Father having Samurai heritage and her Grand Mother a Senchya (green tea ceremony) and Ikebana (flower arrangement) Master, who created her own unique schools Baisareifuryu. These highly skilled traditions have been passed from Grand Mother to Mother to Daughter.
Yayoi has played Koto since age 7 and in the year 2000 obtained teachers certification. Yayoi studied under Professor Utao Akamatsu who is regarded the best performer and teacher in Shikoku and was awarded the honored name Utaya which is taken from her teachers name Utao. Yayoi has performed throughout Shikoku and many other regions in Japan, receiving wonderful reviews. With her graceful beauty and skilled talent, Yayoi will bring a precious piece of Japan to your event.
B. Japanese Taiko Drummer
Ancient ~ Commanding.
The rumbling power of the taiko has been long been associated with the gods and such has been appropriated by the religions and people of Japan. In addition to it’s martial aspect, taiko has always been used in the most refined cultural settings for significant festivals and the high Japanese Court. As well as performed for these important occasions the Taiko is one of the most elegant and beautifully decorated of all Japanese instruments.
Having already experience a long and successful career as a contemporary kit drummer and equipped with a thorough musical knowledge past through his studies under some of Australia’s superior master drum educators, B embraced Taiko drumming with a passion and was soon performing with Taiko groups throughout Shikoku. Pictured here with his Teacher Sensei Hiroyuki Tauchi who is a renowned Master Educator of Japanese Drumming in the Ehime Region. B.’s taiko performance is exacting and traditional with adaptations of modern Taiko interpretations.