Tamashii Taiko Drum Van

We’ve always been curious to see how crowdfunding works, thank you so much for being a part of it!

Unfortunately we didn’t meet our goal and PLEDGEME’s campaigns are “all or nothing”-

That means the amount that you pledged will not be billed to you.

We hope that you are still keen to support us, so we’ve made all of our PLEDGEME reward packages available for you on our Tamashii Store.

You can see the exact same list of packages here, and the DVDs are now available individually as well!

http://shop.tamashii.co.nz/collections/van-crowdfund-rewards

If you purchase through the store, there is no waiting as we can ship your order straight away.

Thanks for being part of our family!

-          Team Tamashii

Hi everyone!

The first few days of the campaign are off to a great start! We want to keep the momentum going so please spread the word to your friends and family. Also, consider letting your company know about the performance packages for events such as Christmas parties.

Here is the list of Tamashii’s songs and little info on their meaning and origin. We perform some of these songs in our 2012 and 2014 concert DVDs.

You can request from this list for the Daimyo package. We’ll dress up in our full costumes and record a video with a personalised thank you message. Then we’ll play all-out performing the song you choose.

These songs come from all over the world including Kyodo and Taiko Project in the United States, Grete Mortgat in Belgium, and traditional songs from Japan. Many of the song are original Tamashii pieces from our current and past performers including Brian Grove, Ryan (Eddie) Hale, Conor Young, and Jane Chen.

Song list

太鼓囃子 - Taiko Bayashi - Drum Song

This is our beginners song that every new student learns first.  It's a great way to learn rhythm, teamwork, timing, and elements of taiko choreography.

潟乃囃子 - Katano Song

Usually the second song learned by new students, Katano is played on two drums at once, one elevated on an upright stand.

愚公山を移す - And the Mountains Rising [ Tamashii original choreography ]

This song artfully blends the rhythms of different drum parts to create a powerful, dramatic story.

秩父 - Yatai Bayashi - Cart Song

Our version of the famous cart song featured in Japan's Chichibu night festival.

アンコール・アオテアロア “Encore Aotearoa” (taiko) [Kyodo, USA]　

A variation of Kyodo taiko's Encore Remix.

旭日 – Asahi  –  Sunrise [ Tamashii original song ]

The day begins with the rising sun. Asahi is also the dawn for Tamashii Taiko, being the first song composed by our founder Brian Grove.

勇士 - Yuushi - Warriors [ Tamashii original song ]

Represents the proud warrior heritage that remains in both Japan and New Zealand to this day.

獅子の追い合い – Lion's Chase [ Tamashii original song ]

When first encountering something new, resistance and aggression is often a natural response. In Lion's Chase, the opposing sides size each other up, stalking and challenging, trying to out-do each other. In the end, everything simply comes down to two individuals and the realisation that a game is better than a fight and co-operation is better than confrontation. With this knowledge, the two individuals can dispel the aggressive thoughts that may have spurred them on in the beginning, and meet each other as equals.

波 – Nami – Ocean Waves [ Tamashii original song ]

Ocean surrounds both our island nations, filled with waves that batter back and forth. But in the chaotic, swirling, clashing waves, there is rhythm and counterpoint. What at first looks like conflict is, at its heart, a kind of harmony.

舞い上がり – Mai Agari – Soaring [ Tamashii original song ]

The same sense of adventure that sends us down speeding rapids also propels us up into the air, soaring as high as our imaginations can take us. But we can't stay aloft forever, and the earth soon calls us back, home to our whenua.

嵐の公爵 – Arashi no Koushaku – Prince of Storms [ Tamashii original choreography ]

Both New Zealand and Japan have suffered great adversity, and have helped each other through these difficulties. Prince of Storms starts with one beat that soon builds into an almost overwhelming barrage. However, none is defeated. Slowly but surely, the players rebuild their strength, recovering from their ordeal and meeting it with even greater and more powerful energy and resolve.

分岐点 – Bunkiten – Crossroads [ Composed by Grete Mortgat ]

In the practice of an art like taiko, we often come to a crossroads: should we stay true to the traditional ways of playing or try to invent and follow new ways? The decision is never easy but a path must be chosen. Some will choose one way and others choose another, but all of them are working toward the same goal.

Little Sea Gong [ Tamashii original choreography ]

A recent addition to our song list, this piece combines the playing of many individuals at once.

三宅 – Miyake

This song originates in Japan's Miyake islands and has a long history of innovation. The starting beat is played by two players, who then improvise their own rhythms, playing off each other. This tradition of creativity is continued here with a series of variations on the central Miyake rhythm, culminating in a fusion of rhythms beating at the heart of our two island nations.

御土産 – Omiyage – Memento [ Composed by Taiko Project in the United States ]

Both old and new at the same time, Omiyage harks back to one of taiko's primary functions: providing the beat for a merry festival.