• Japan's Explosive Drums come to Life in Cebu!


      Drumming is not just about beating sticks. It is all about passion, rigorous training, discipline, cognitive focus and being one with your other team members.

      The Ber-months in Cebu will open with loud bangs as Japan's extraordinaires and martial artists perform on their explosive drums in Drum Tao this September 1.




      All about the Group
      When the disaster in Japan struck (earthquake), a show was created to cheer up its people. So much love was given to Japan when this tragedy happened, including Singapore. Paving way for a lot of tours and shows, TAO is currently preparing their biggest stage ever in Singapore.

      The group which is comprised of 18 males and 5 females was formed in 1993 in the Aichi prefecture by the company director Fujitaka and they moved in 1995 to Kuju, their training ground and homebase called Grandioso. They have a residence which is also accommodation for guests who wish to stay and they have made an open air terrace where they can perform for the visitors from around the world. They would not be able to play their loud instruments if the place was amongst other homes and within the suburbs so this is another reason why they are located away from the city areas.

      At first, there wasn't that enough female performers compared to the current number. Most of the female performers came to TAO after watching TAO's performance, after they were so inspired by the beautiful performances. Drums in Japan are not only for men but something that can be enjoyed by everyone to play.


      About Drumming
      For them, drumming is the only thing they found in their lives that they feel they can spend their whole lives into.
      For aspiring drummers, they said that it's a hard life. You need to have a strong spirit to maintain yourself not only as a musician but as professional athletes as well. The art demands physical focus. If you don't have the passion, you might better off stay in the audience.

      The Training
      Each morning the group rise about 6am to run for 7km or more, followed by a bout of vigorous strengthening exercises. Then they rehearse, beating drum sticks and vocalizing rhythms. They have at least three hours of physical activity before a breakfast of fish, salad, soup and rice. Out of the 200 hopefuls who apply each year, only five are tested and just one or two make the grade to join the junior troupe. To become a drummer, it takes one year of severe training, but that is because they have to be ready to go on stage.

      The passion to succeed is the most important thing. You have to lose everything else - at one point you cannot even talk to your friends or family. The reason for being disconnected from mobile phones, internet and luxuries such as even chocolates or sweets for trainees during this first year of training is for them to be focused and dedicated to mastering the art and learning from the other senior members without sometimes being told but by picking it up from observing and practice. Some trainees do not last long if they cannot handle the tough physical training or mental impact living at Grandioso might have on them.


      The Shows
      The first shows in 1993 were played to small crowds-- so small they played one time to an audience of 6 people only. Right now, they have toured to 17 countries and have performed in theaters catering to 1000 to 2000 in audience size and even to a 20,000stadium in Taepei. Now, that is so far from their humble beginnings of 6!
      They shared that their journey has its highs and lows but what makes them move forward is their passion to get better sound and rhythm needed to entertain people. The passion is evident in their everyday interaction-- they live together, eat together and they think as one when they entertain people. That's how their show keeps on evolving.

      The Inspiration
      The group felt that the main thing that inspired them is the circumstance that's surrounding their daily lives-- where they live, how they live and the emotion that they from what is happening around them, even to what they see and hear on the road affects their performance. The mood that they are in depends on where you are or what's happening around the world-- this mood inspires their music.
      They also shared that the traditions that are passed from legends have inspired them as they are trying to create a new form of entertainment. They do research on the theme of their shows-- paintings, pictures, video clips, words, etc.

      Main Leads
      Yoshinori Suito
      Original member From Aichi Composer, Drummer, Shamisen(Three Strings Japanese Guitar)

      Ryohei Taki From Aichi
      Composer, Drummer, Big Drum

      Hiroaki Kishino From Tokyo
      Composer, Drummer

      Akihiro Kawahara From Yokohama, Kanagawa
      Drummer

      Takuya Era From Kumamoto
      Drummer, Double stick/Flag act

      Arisa Nishi From Ibusuki, Kagoshima
      Composer, Drummer, Shinobue(Japanese Flute)

      The Cebu Show


      World-renowned Japan martial arts and drum-playing extra-ordinaires, Drum Tao, will finally be showcasing their internationally applauded performance in Cebu for the very first time in September 1 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino for 2 shows only.

      After playing to audiences of more than 5 million, in 400 cities in 17 countries that include Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, USA, Australia, Spain, Belgium, UK and Germany, critically-acclaimed Drum Tao, will explode onto the Manila stage with its eclectic mix of dance and martial arts as the dynamic and innovative Japanese performers beat their Wadaiko Drums.

      Drum Tao is world class entertainment at the highest level.Â* It is an innovative contemporary Japanese production that has thrilled audiences with this ground-breaking presentation and one-of-a-kind show.

      The two-hour extravaganza features super human efforts by the 16-strong highly disciplined crew of Japanese Taiko drummers, who spend eight months of the year touring the world, giving it their all in the 500 shows they perform a year.

      Online Contest
      Winning a free ticket is as easy as 1-2-3 here in iSTORYA.NET!
      Comment in any of our homepage articles and get a chance to win a Drum Tao Ticket. 5 lucky commenters will be raffled off by tomorrow (August 31, 2012). If you win, we will give you a PM announcing details on ticket claim.
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      Comments 29 Comments
      1. linear_mazz's Avatar
        linear_mazz -
        Woow this is awesome I wish I could win one of the ticket XD
      1. dawn's Avatar
        dawn -
        love to watch this amazing show for real....
      1. CliffHanger's Avatar
        CliffHanger -
        I could imagine the vibrations already.
      1. chase328's Avatar
        chase328 -
        This is one major event, been dying to see one for real! As I've watched this in television, you can't help but go with the beat. It's looks easy strumming those drums but it's not coz each player really pours out their hearts. And the sound is just so huge...
      1. luckyplacer's Avatar
        luckyplacer -
        WOW! This is an event that Cebuano should never miss.... we love drum beats just like how we love the beat of SINULOG! And with this event we can appreciate more the love of DRUM, CULTURE and MUSIC!
      1. malot's Avatar
        malot -
        i really like to watch them live... hope i could win one ticket... pleaaassseeee!
      1. jofer's Avatar
        jofer -
        nindot jud ni
      1. kat5252's Avatar
        kat5252 -
        I love the performance on the video
      1. mico1984's Avatar
        mico1984 -
        any idea how much ang tickets? im very interested to watch
      1. hyori's Avatar
        hyori -
        amazing! nagperform sila yesterday sa SM!
      1. cyareful's Avatar
        cyareful -
        nahan lagi ko ani motan-aw..tagpila pud kaha ang ticket ani..basin dili ta ka afford..
      1. puppetee's Avatar
        puppetee -
        Was planning to watch this in their Resort's World performance in Manila, but upon knowing that they're coming here in Cebu for a show.... super happy that I could save the plane ticket.... free show tickets na lang ang kulang!!! hehehe
      1. razorblde's Avatar
        razorblde -
        We have drawn the winners thru RANDOM.ORG - True Random Number Service / randomizer list and the winners of tickets are;

        hyori
        luckyplacer
        chase328
        mico1984
        CliffHanger

        Attachment 7063
      1. razorblde's Avatar
        razorblde -
        drawn winners thru RANDOM.ORG - True Random Number Service please see the winners below;

        Attachment 7064
      1. thisbe.ara's Avatar
        thisbe.ara -
        congratulations to 5 iSTORYAns who just won free tickets to the said event. Please check your inbox for claim instructions. Thank you!
      1. mico1984's Avatar
        mico1984 -
        WOOHOO!! i won a ticket! kita kitz tom istoryans once in a lifetime experiece jud ni.. thanks for making it possible. more power to iSTORYA.net
      1. chase328's Avatar
        chase328 -
        rock on!!!!!
      1. thisbe.ara's Avatar
        thisbe.ara -
        Section Type Price
        VIP Reserved Seats Php 2,500
        GOLD Reserved Seats Php 2,000
        SILVER Reserved Seats Php 1,500
        BRONZE Free Seating Php 1,000
        BALCONY Free Seating Php 500


        shows are at 3pm and 8pm only on September 1
      1. hyori's Avatar
        hyori -
      1. KE-25's Avatar
        KE-25 -
        Wish I was Home to watch this , its should be awesome !!!!

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