Kokubu - The Drums of Japan

Description

KOKUBU is an indescribably captivating experience for ears, eyes, heart and soul. The exceptional group, dressed in black kimonos and white headbands, spans the musical spectrum between the acoustic hurricane of drums that shakes the ground, subtle rhythms and the delicate, soft sound of the bamboo flute (shakuhachi). In changing groupings and by means of three differently sized tubular drums (taikos), the ensemble from Osaka, founded in 1998 and led by shakuhachi master Chiaki Toyama, brings a breathtaking rhythm to the stage in breathtaking synchrony or in contrast. Sometimes even several imposing tubular drums are used, the strings of which are worked on by an athlete with two massive sticks as thick as the forearm. The counterpart is formed by delicate flute tones. Their Far Eastern sound is immediately enchanting. The result is music that seems magical to Europeans. Each piece is preceded by a short introduction to help the listener understand this art, which is deeply rooted in ancient tradition. It explains (in German) the meaning of the respective songs. These are, for example, about the oneness of body and mind, the joy of life, nature, the power of seasons or the belief "Go forward without looking back".