When you think of Kurashiki, you probably have a strong image of it being a cultural town.
Starting with the Ohara Museum of Art, there are art museums, museums, and concert halls throughout the town where you can feel art and culture, which can be said to be one of Kurashiki's charms.
In terms of music, Kurashiki has a local taiko group called Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko.
The representative of Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, Yamabe Taishi, is a taiko performer praised as a "once-in-50-years talent" in the taiko world.
Yamabe Taishi is active from Kurashiki to the whole country and even the world, and I heard that he will hold two performances in his hometown of Kurashiki in March 2024, so I asked him about the details.
About Yamabe Taishi
Yamabe Taishi is a taiko performer from Kurashiki City.
He captivates audiences with his precise rhythm, known as "absolute sense of rhythm," and his fast-paced stick handling. He collaborates with famous singers across various music genres, including Sakamoto Fuyumi, Itsuki Hiroshi, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and SPYAIR.
However, in reality, he is not only a performer but also a stage director, making him a specialist in the music world.
Yamabe, who has been holding a taiko stick since before he could understand the world, gained performance experience from a local group called Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko from a young age and expanded his activities to Tokyo and overseas after graduating from high school.
Currently, as the representative of Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, he leads the group and has also participated in the production of NHK's historical dramas "Kirin ga Kuru" and "Seiten wo Tsuke" as a performer and taiko instructor.
With his top-notch skills as a taiko performer, as well as his work in directing and producing his own stage, Yamabe is regarded as one of the leading figures in the taiko world.
Yamabe is currently active based in Tokyo, but he will hold two performances in his hometown of Kurashiki in March 2024.
It seems that these performances will be a triumphant return.
What are the "Mebaeeizuru Kurashiki Special Performance" and "Japanese Taiko Concert"?
Here is an introduction to the contents of the "Mebaeeizuru Kurashiki Special Performance" and "Japanese Taiko Concert" to be held in March 2024.
【March 2 (Saturday)】Mebaeeizuru Kurashiki Special Performance
The "Mebaeeizuru" performance, held on March 2, 2024 (Saturday), was a stage that was performed in Asakusa, Tokyo in the fall of 2023 and gained popularity.
This time, as the opening of the 38th Kurashiki Music Festival, we will perform a special Kurashiki performance with upgraded content.
As stated in the promotional image, "entertainment of light and sound," special lights will illuminate the stage, and you can experience a powerful performance along with the talented traditional instrument players led by Yamabe.
The title "Mebaeeizuru" is derived from the seasonal term "Soumoku Mebaezuru," which is one of the 72 seasons.
The 72 seasons are a further subdivision of spring, summer, autumn, and winter into 72 parts.
Soumoku Mebaezuru refers to the season when plants that have spent a long winter underground suddenly sprout with the arrival of spring.
I am looking forward to seeing how the world of "Mebaeeizuru" will be expressed through the combination of light and sound.
The performance will be held at the Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.
The doors will open at 2:00 PM, and the performance will start at 2:30 PM. The performance will be in two parts, with an estimated total duration of about 120 minutes, including a break.
Currently, advance tickets are on sale, priced at 3,000 yen for general admission and only 500 yen for university students and younger.
Same-day tickets will cost an additional 500 yen, but if advance tickets sell out, same-day tickets will not be available, so I recommend purchasing in advance if you want to attend.
【March 10 (Sunday)】Japanese Taiko Concert
The "Japanese Taiko Concert," held on March 10, 2024 (Sunday), is a concert by Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, which Yamabe represents.
Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko is a taiko group formed in Kurashiki, celebrating its 52nd year in 2024.
It includes members from children to adults and continues to preserve the taiko culture of Kurashiki.
For Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, the "Japanese Taiko Concert" is a special performance that can only be showcased once a year in front of the citizens of Kurashiki.
It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a performance aimed specifically at the people of Kurashiki.
This concert will also be held as part of the 38th Kurashiki Music Festival.
The venue will be the Kurashiki Civic Hall. Doors will open at 3:00 PM, and the performance will start at 4:00 PM.
Advance tickets are also on sale for this concert, priced at 2,000 yen for general admission and 1,000 yen for university students and younger. Same-day tickets will cost an additional 500 yen.
Interview with Yamabe Taishi
I spoke with Yamabe Taishi about the two performances this time.
About "Mebaeeizuru"
How did you interpret the theme "Mebaeeizuru"?
Yamabe (no honorifics)
I received an explanation that the season "Soumoku Mebaezuru," which is the origin of "Mebaeeizuru," is a time when "a strong force like lightning falls to the ground, and that force is transmitted to the life beneath the soil, causing each to burst forth into different worlds from the ground."
However, to be honest, I didn't quite grasp that in my mind.
I struggled with how to link this to the stage, but what came to mind was the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, it was a time when everyone challenged themselves to things they had never thought of before.
For example, people who couldn't use computers started working with them.
Everyone met a new version of themselves and must have decided, "I will continue to be this version of myself!" but when the pandemic ended, many returned to their previous selves... I think there are many such cases.
There are various frustrations, but in the end, I want the audience to leave looking up.
To express that feeling, I thought of using lasers effectively.
How did the idea of combining light and sound come about?
Yamabe
It started when I went to see a world championship of projection mapping held in Tokyo.
That event was held outdoors, and they illuminated the entrance area with lasers, creating something like a runway.
When I saw that, I thought, "I wonder if I can use this on stage someday," and I kept that in mind.
Actually, I think I have been interested in lighting direction since high school. At that time, I didn't think I was very interested, but looking back now, I must have liked it. The visual aspect of a stage is very important.
In fact, this time, the idea of how to use lasers came to me first.
Starting with the lasers, I then matched the music to it... that's how I structured it.
This time, the laser design for "Mebaeeizuru" was done by YAMACHANG, who is a leading laser artist in Japan, and he is actually a friend of mine.
Long before "Mebaeeizuru" started, we had talked about wanting to work together someday, and since YAMACHANG was a perfect fit for this production, I reached out to him. It finally came to fruition.
Please tell us if there are any differences between the Kurashiki special performance and the previous Asakusa performance.
Yamabe
The previous Asakusa performance received great reviews, and this time it has been arranged for Kurashiki.
This arrangement is meant to enhance "Mebaeeizuru," so we plan to deliver an even more polished stage than last time.
What kind of team is "Meba eizuru," which gathers talented traditional Japanese instrument players?
Yamabe
We have gathered friends who have been creating stages together for many years and elite performers who have collaborated multiple times.
For each performance, we arrange the music to fit the performers, but this time, the members are suggesting expressions and arrangements like, "How about this?"
This is quite a rare thing for a special formation team.
Also, there are performers who suddenly change the arrangement from practice during the actual performance, but in those cases, we adapt with improvisation.
Performers sense the atmosphere of the audience and among themselves, the quality of the instruments, the condition of the hall, and various other factors to change the arrangements.
I believe that such good teamwork in improvisation is a skill that can only be achieved because we are performing with trusted friends.
Especially this time, since we are performing in my hometown of Kurashiki, everyone is putting in their best effort.
About the "Japanese Taiko Concert"
Please tell us about the content of the "Japanese Taiko Concert."
Yamabe
The "Japanese Taiko Concert" is a music concert where you can purely enjoy taiko performances.
It is quite different from the production-rich "Meba eizuru."
The performers are from the Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, an amateur group that I represent.
Everyone continues to play taiko as a hobby while working.
The "Japanese Taiko Concert" is an annual opportunity to show everyone the growth of Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko.
We have been established for 52 years, and we still have the feeling of being "nurtured by Kurashiki," so I want to deliver this performance to the people of Kurashiki.
How was Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko formed?
Yamabe
Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko was founded by a person named Hiroshi Koyama.
Before Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko was formed, when Koyama went to Tokyo, he thought, "There are few festivals in Kurashiki, and there is little sound at the festivals."
This is my personal speculation, but I think that since Kurashiki has been a merchant town since ancient times, there were probably fewer festivals praying for good weather to the gods compared to rural areas.
With the desire to "create a thriving culture in Kurashiki," Koyama established Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko, borrowed taiko from the Ohara family storehouse at the Ohara Museum of Art, and began playing at Achi Shrine.
Initially, it started with just Koyama, but the number of members gradually increased, and now it has become a group that has reached its 52nd year.
Originally, there was no taiko culture in Kurashiki, and I think Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko has a relatively short history.
However, 50 years is still significant.
Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko continues to grow without fearing change while preserving culture.
Having been active in this region for over 50 years, even though we are doing it as a hobby, we still want to make an effort to be seen by the people of Kurashiki.
What do you want to convey to those coming to see the "Japanese Taiko Concert"?
Yamabe
Since Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko has been nurtured by this region, I want to convey, "This is how Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko is now!"
Also, I hope you can see the growth of the members.
For example, a child who used to stick to adults and play taiko is still playing as an adult now.
What kind of sound will the taiko of that child, who has been playing for over 10 years, produce? What kind of things does that child's taiko carry?
You can feel various commitments, whether they are shouldering the team or Kurashiki...
I would be happy if you could see such growth.
I want Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko to continue to be a group that makes those who watch want to keep an eye on us.
We will make it a performance that makes you think, "I want to come see it again next year!"
Please give a message to the readers.
Yamabe
People have been saying for a long time that "Kurashiki is a cultural town," but honestly, as someone who was born and raised here, I didn't really feel it.
However, when I left Kurashiki and returned, I realized that it is a wonderful area with many halls and museums right in the middle of such a town, where you can experience music and theater.
I moved my base to Tokyo when I was around 26 or 27 years old, and that made me realize the goodness of my hometown again.
I think there are things that I can express precisely because I grew up in Kurashiki, where art and culture are rooted.
This time, "Meba eizuru" is planned to deliver the best stage that I can create now. I am particular about the production so that the audience leaves looking up.
I would be happy if the "Japanese Taiko Concert" could be an opportunity for people to take notice of the name Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko. The most important thing is to convey, "Ah, they are working hard."
Conclusion
During the interview with Yamabe, I could strongly feel his love for Kurashiki.
The stage created for the local Kurashiki is filled with passionate thoughts and dedication.
As a newcomer, I don't have much love or attachment to my hometown, but hearing about Yamabe's background and the history of Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko made me want to support those who are active in the same hometown.
I was surprised by the expression method of how they plan to use lasers in the "Meba eizuru" performance.
Please make sure to attend the actual performance and experience it.
38th Kurashiki Music Festival "Meba eizuru Kurashiki Special Performance" "Japanese Taiko" Data
| Name | 38th Kurashiki Music Festival "Meba eizuru Kurashiki Special Performance" "Japanese Taiko" |
|---|---|
| Date | ■ Meba eizuru Kurashiki Special Performance March 2, 2024 (Saturday) Doors open at 2:00 PM, performance starts at 2:30 PM ■ Japanese Taiko March 10, 2024 (Sunday) Doors open at 3:00 PM, performance starts at 4:00 PM |
| Location | Geibunkan Hall/Kurashiki Civic Hall |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | ■ Meba eizuru Kurashiki Special Performance General admission is 3,000 yen, 500 yen for university students and below ■ Japanese Taiko General admission is 2,000 yen, 1,000 yen for university students and below * An additional 500 yen for same-day tickets for both performances |
| Website | Yamabe Taishi Official Site |
