When it Comes to Exercise for Mind, Body and Spirit You Can't 'Beat' Taiko

Drums are found in virtually every culture in the world and have existed since prior to 6,000 B.C.  They have long held sacred, ceremonial and symbolic associations.

Long Island's Ryu Shu Taiko continues this tradition of drumming. 

Taiko actually means "drum" in Japanese. The Taiko is of Chinese origin and was brought to Japan during the Yayoi period (500 B.C.-300 A.D) via the Korean peninsula.  In addition to the martial use of the Taiko drums, they also had a strong presence in the court style music called Gagaku, which was prevalent in castles and shrines across ancient Japan.  Gagaku is one of the oldest styles of court music that is still being played in the world today. 

Modern taiko was established in 1951 by Daihachi Oguchi.  He is credited with forming the first Taiko ensemble referred to as Kumi-daiko, and spearheading the modern resurgence of Taiko performances.  Oguchi put together various drums of all different shapes, sizes, and pitches for a richer, more complex sonic landscape.

Ryu Shu Taiko formed in the vein of Oguchi's vision of Kumi-daiko.  The group practices every Sunday morning at Ryu Shu Kan Long Island Family Karate Center in Farmingville.  Ryu Shu Taiko was founded in 1998 by Kyoshi (teacher) Gerard Senese, owner of the karate center.  He has been a martial artist for 36 years. 

"Taiko is based on martial arts movement and form," he said.

Senese became aware of the enthralling nature of Japanese drumming in 1989 while captivated by a performance of Soh Daiko in NYC. The connection between Taiko and martial arts training immediately resonated with him. 

"When you see a Taiko performance you don't just hear the drums you feel them." said Senese.

Senese and his wife Hiroko (who is from Shikoku, Japan) periodically travel to Japan to research the art of Taiko and folk dance to expand the groups' repertoire.

"In 1998 an American percussionist who had learned how to make Taiko in Japan introduced me to the art of playing and the craft of making Taiko," he said. "Together with my karate students and my wife we started making our own Taiko out of Long Island wine barrels."

He and Hiroko were subsequently introduced to Marco Lienhard who once played for Ondekoza, one of the premier taiko groups in the world, and he taught them their first traditional Japanese taiko pieces. The martial artist's love and respect for the musical expression of the drums flourished.

"You actually feel them vibrating through your body," he said. "That's how powerful they are.  That kind of feeling that goes through your body can really set off some good vibes."

The ensemble currently performs at venues throughout the Metro area and at elementary schools around Long Island as BOCES Arts-in-Education Artists introducing the Japanese culture through innovative performances and workshops.  The students are given the awesome opportunity to play the Taiko with them, which is a welcome change of pace and a highlight of their school year.

Ryu Shu's dynamic exhibitions range from child-friendly interactive stories such as "The Drums of Noto Hanto" to the pulsating rhythms of a full Taiko concert.  "The Drums of Noto Hanto" is a story of the villagers of Noto Hanto who receive the alarming news that the samurai are coming. The children delight in engaging their imagination and being integrated into the story. They act as the samurai and the villagers who scare off the fearsome enemy with their Devil "Oni" masks.

Senese started the Sakura Matsuri, or Cherry Blossom Festival 11 years ago in his studio as a way to introduce Japanese culture to his students. In 2001 the first public Cherry Blossom Festival was orchestrated. Over the last three years it has been held in the Charles B. Wang center at Stony Brook University. Tickets to the extravaganza completely sold out last year; it is currently the premier Japanese event for Long Island.

On Saturday, April 24th from noon to 6 p.m. the 10th Annual Sakura Matsuri will take place at the Wang Center.

"We have groups coming from all over the country—even Japan," he said. "We present all aspects of the Japanese culture from the very traditional, classic up to the modern with anime and videogames."

Tickets for performances are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $6 for children ages 5-12 and children 4 and under are admitted free.

Currently, Ryu Shu is the only Taiko group on Long Island. Stony Brook University has a student group but they mainly just play at the university. Taiko is very well-known on the West Coast where there is a much larger Japanese-American population.

"On the East Coast it's kind of spotty and then in the rest of the country it's kind of spotty—but it's all over the world," Senese said.

There are Taiko groups in Germany, England, Canada, and South America.

Ryu Shu Taiko has participants of all ages.  Emily Portal, 11, has been drumming for four months. First, she was a karate student along with her father; her mother takes kickboxing classes there as well. The young musician also practices Japanese folk dancing at the studio.

Binnie Pasquier has been drumming for six years.

"I love [taiko]," ehs said. "It's the best thing in my life, except for my grandson.  I can't wait for him to get into it.  He's 10 months, he's very strong.  I figure by two he'll be drumming."

Jessica Grandal of Commack has been a member of the ensemble for five years.  "It's wonderfully aerobic," she said, "wonderful for flexibility and mental capacity, great camaraderie and teamwork."

Denise Bertuglia of Mastic is a ten-year taiko enthusiast.  She summed up the appeal of this ancient art's revival, "I live for taiko.  It combines dance, music, martial arts, cardio— everything I love!"

For more information on the Cherry Blossom Festival or learning taiko call Gerard Senese at 631-698-2467 or visit ryushukan.com.