Sharp versus Smooth

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Opening question: How has life changed since you were 8 years old? Before class started, those of us logged on early were reflecting on how kids’ lives today are so different from when were kids. So we continued to check in on that topic. Especially when it comes to technology and safety.

Franco led us through some exercises of 3 different sharp taiko movements, similar to last week’s posing movements. We also talked about “GaZuut writing” and did some flowing movements, that might be compared to Tai Chi movements. Both of these types of movements are prevalent in San Jose Taiko’s style. We ended up putting them together in a Sharp versus Smooth Drill. The movement are free movements, you can come up with your own.

Don Don Don Don - SHARP - SHARP -

Don Don DoRo Don - SMOOTH (4 counts)

Number Drill

We also went back to a familiar activity involving numbers. Yurika led a drill that was based on a fun game taught to San Jose Taiko by a Kodo member, Eiichi Saito many years ago. We loved learning from Eiichi as he showed us how to make up taiko patterns based on numbers and also words. For example, he made up a part of a song based on his favourite foods.

Number activity rules: After an even number of Dons, click your bachi twice. After an odd number of Dons, click your bachi once.

Here is a video of the end of the drill when everyone had given a number.

A FEW OTHER THINGS…

SJT is starting up a senior class which is a mix of students from a few different classes who have been playing awhile, plus some new students. It will run on Wednesdays from 1-2PM on Zoom, starting September 9th and is taught by Yurika. If you are interested in joining, you can register here.

Also, Yurika is running a Make-Your-Own Taiko “craft afternoon” if you would like to learn how to make a taiko out of a 5 gallon bucket or box. It will be on Wednesday, September 2nd from 1-2PM. You will need a 5 gallon bucket (OR a medium sized box AND 4 pairs of disposable chopsticks, preferably new and not ripped apart, a box cutter) and a roll of heavy duty clear packing tape and scissors.

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. (The fee for September is $45/month since there are 5 Tuesdays.)

• Bachi can be purchased to be mailed for $10 a pair.

• At any time, feel free to email yurika@taiko.org for questions!

"Ma" (Space)

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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!