Kiai + Movement

Franco is back this week. After he led us through warm-ups, we did some kiai review and then split the group into two teams so we could hear ourselves better. We added movement to the kiai.

The word Kiai comes from two kanji characters - “ki” meaning “energy” and “ai” meaning “meeting.” For us in taiko, expressing through kiai is integral to the artform. As KI is one of the four principles in San Jose Taiko, where our energy flows and what we do with it is important. Kiai is one way that energy is expressed. Our body is part of the instrument and as such, energy can flow through movement and breath and voice. It connects us. It impacts those watching us. One of our vocal coaches once said, it is an amazing gift that we can create this vibration in our bodies that can move other people.

Here is a video of the kiai and movement warm-up activity.

Number Game

Another game that Franco led us through was a number game. Basically you have to play the number of hits that are called out. It started out with just one number at a time, but moved up levels so that we were playing 3 numbers in a row. It’s interesting how when there were more numbers it became a bit more intuitive as it started to sound more like music. Music is stored and processed in a different part of the brain, which takes less processing.

(Click here to go to the PRC Main page.)

Welcome to our new student, Ellen!

Opening question: What was your favourite subject in school or what did you study in college?

Today we warmed up with some stepping, clapping and kiai coordination. Here is a video below of a similar drill.

Ma

We talked a little bit about the concept of “Ma” or space in Japanese and how this space is important in taiko. We may fill this musical space between taiko hits with kiai or with movement. We learned 4 different movements that often come up in San Jose Taiko choreography. And we also talked about basic and fancy versions of the movement and how to use your legs to emphasize the movements or make them easier. We started each movement with a Don Don and during the next 2 beats, would fill with “sore” and the movement.

“Line” - Bring up your arms together, they should reach the top on the “re” of “sore”
“Circle” - Sweep up your arms on the sides of your body. Marlene said this move reminded her of birds wings. The fancy version starts with crossing your arms in front of you before sweeping up.
“X” - Similar to some of the X drills we have been working on with Franco, Pointing your bachi out diagonally and leaning into the movement with your legs.
“Windmill” - A challenging movement requiring each arm to move independently.

Here’s a slower practice video of the windmill:

Here is a practice video of the 4 movements played through 8 times.

Here is a slightly faster practice video of the 4 movements played 4 times through each.

We finished off with a drill/game where I had symbols to represent each movement.

Pat said, “The windmills really emphasize how easy the first 3 movements are!”

A quick reminder of the 4 Principles of San Jose Taiko - each week we might focus one or two more than the others, but as taiko players are always striving to find balance and improve on all 4.

OTHER THINGS…

This past Sunday, San Jose Taiko would have been performing at Palo Alto Obon. Here is a full video of last-year’s performance.

ANNOUNCEMENTS and REMINDERS:

Payment for classes should be made here: https://www.paypal.me/sanjosetaiko OR by check made out to San Jose Taiko, 565 N. 5th Street, San Jose CA 95112 (please mark the check PRC). The fee is $10 drop-in or $36/month.
Bachi can be purchased to be mailed for $10 a pair.
At any time, feel free to email yurika@taiko.org for questions!

Number Game

Kiai + Movement

Movement Game

Number Game

"Ma" (Space)

Ma

San Jose Taiko
565 N. 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 293-9344
info@taiko.org