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Feel free to browse through sample audio
clips of some of our repertoire. CD's & videos can be purchased online through
our taiko store. Enjoy!
(All audio clips are in MP3
format. If you do not have an MP3 player we recommend the most recent version of Apple's
free Quicktime Player.)
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| Song
Title |
Description |
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Free
Spirit 
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by
Roy Hirabayashi (1983)
This piece features four drummers playing together, against each other, and as soloists.
A simple base rhythm moves the piece through variations of the main theme as interpreted
by the individual players.
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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| Celebration
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by
PJ and Roy Hirabayashi (1992)
Inspired from the harvest song of the Noto Peninsula in Japan, "Celebration"
is a duet piece that interacts rhythms and festivities to celebrate daily life. This
piece is based upon rhythm patterns from Asuka Ryo, a Japanese composer who visited
San Jose Taiko in 1987.
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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| Gendai
Ni Ikiru |
by
Gary Tsujimoto (1978)
"Living in the Present" reflects the blending of traditional and modern
rhythms to create a sound that contains a simple taiko beat with rhythm patterns of
jazz.
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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| Hayaku
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by
Jeremy Nishihara (1994)
The title, "Hayaku" means "quickly". The song was written with
the concept of a driving force that rides, but does not exceed the limits of control.
Hayaku is a display of speed and energy.
(From the CD: Mo
Ichido: One More Time)
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| Ei
Ja Nai Ka? |
by
PJ Hirabayashi (1994)
(literal translation: "Isn't it good?")
"Ei Ja Nai Ka?" is inspired by the folk festivals of Japan, particularly
Kokura Gion Matsuri of Kyushu and Awa Odori of Shikoku. Festivals have a special gift
of calling people - "Come gather together, forget about the clamor and frenzy
of daily life, live for the moment and release the beckoning spirit from within."
And with this invocation, we can briefly stop and remind ourselves, "Ei JA Nai
kA?"
(From the CD: Mo
Ichido: One More Time)
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| Nana-shi
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by
Roy Hirabayashi (1992)
Based upon a 7/4 time signature, the piece challenges the drummers in timing and skill.
The composition has no major theme or concept outside of rhythms and timing, so a
name for this piece was difficult to find. Nana-shi has two meanings: "Nana"
means seven and "shi" is four in Japanese, creating 7/4. Nana-shi also means
"nameless".
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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| One
World |
by
Gary Tsujimoto (1986)
The theme of this piece is cross-cultural, inspired by the people of color who have
expressed enjoyment of taiko. The musicians share a combination of drums, creating
a sound based on a fusion of African, Latin, and Japanese rhythms.
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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| Spirit
Of Adventure |
by
Roy Hirabayashi (1993)
The inspiration for this song came from many different elements - traditional patterns
from taiko in Japan, East Indian percussion patterns, and contemporary music. The
combination of the elements of the old and the new create the spirit of adventure.
(From the CD: Kodama
- Echoes of the Soul)
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