Traditional Japanese Drum Experience in Nagoya

In this activity, you can experience a short Japanese drum lesson for about 40 minutes.

The traditional Japanese drum,"Owari Shinjiro Daiko," has been performed by the society for conservation of this art form and goes way back to the mid Edo period, about 250 years ago. It has started as "Kagura" (sacred music) of the Atsuta Shrine, one of the most important shrines in Japan.

There are 2 different categories of Wadaiko play: one is the "Japanese traditional drum performance," which has been played in order to dedicate to God from long time ago, and the other is the "Creative Japanese drum performance," during which drummers are typically seen wearing colorful happi (traditional cloth). This is what is usually played at the Japanese festivals or events to attract people.

During this lesson, you will try the former, the "Japanese traditional drum performance".

This Owari Shinjiro Daiko has an especially unique and interesting way to play it where the drummer sits on the floor and plays with two different kinds of drums lead by a Japanese flute. It is not very easy, but it will be an enjoyable experience trying to remember a part of the “Kagura”(sacred music) and play with a Japanese flute at the end!

After your short lesson, you can see the Owari Shinjiro Daiko drummers play (*Please note that this is a practice and not a performance). Although this is a practice, you will still feel a great power come from their drums.