JAPANESE TAIKO DRUM CONCERT

CONCERT OF JAPANESE TAIKO BARBANS on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera on November 7 Performed by the Taiko group Wadaiko-Sai - JapanThe group will perform two concerts in Bulgaria - in Sofia on November 5 and on November 7 at 7 pm on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera. The concerts are part of the 35th Anniversary Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria and on the occasion of the triple anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Bulgaria, celebrated in 2024 - 115 years since the first official contacts between the two countries, 85 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65 years since their restoration.

The taiko or wadaiko (literally Japanese drum) is a traditional Japanese percussion instrument.

The history of the taiko drum is ancient and dates back to the Jomon period (c. 13000-300 BC). Over the centuries, taiko drums have fulfilled various roles.It is believed that they were originally used as a means of prayer and transmission of information, and later, in the 6th-8th centuries, as instruments to signal astronomical time.

During the Heian period (794-1185), when traditional Japanese culture was being established by the nobility, taiko began to be used in Japanese court music, known as "gagaku". Because of their loudness, they were also used to convey information during war and to raise fighting spirit.

Later, in the 14th-16th centuries, taiko entered as instruments in Noh theatre, and in the 17th-19th centuries in the classical performing arts of Kabuki and Nagauta. Gradually they came to cover other aspects of Japanese life, being used e.g. for signaling in sumo tournaments, theatrical performances, and as instruments in festival music matsuri-bayashi and bon-odori.

Today, the tradition continues to be lovingly preserved and passed down from generation to generation in Japan.

The Wadaiko-Sai group was founded as an interest club at the University of Tokyo and is an all-male group. It stepped onto the professional scene in 2013 and has already performed over 2,000 concerts in more than 30 countries around the world.

The group has performed at various occasions such as the Rugby World Cup Final, an Italian Serie A match and a number of anniversary events hosted by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This time she is visiting Bulgaria on the occasion of the triple anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Bulgaria - 115 years since the first official contacts between the two countries, 85 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65 years since their restoration.

"Fun and thunderous" - this is the motto of the Japanese taiko group Wadaiko-Sai.

Come to see with your eyes, hear with your ears and feel with your body the rhythm of Japanese taiko drums!

ENTRY BY INVITATION