Learning a new side I haven't seen in Japan – Taiko player Ryuji Hamada

This is the second year for Ryuji Hamada, a Japanese taiko (drum) player originally from Yokohama, as a member of the Sydney-based taiko performance group TaikOz.

Ryuji Hamada playing taiko Source: TaikOz

On stage with other members (Ryuji is at front, right) Source: TaikOz

TaikOz was established in 1997 and Ryuji will play with the other members for the special concert held this month to mark the group’s 20^th anniversary.

As a Japanese taiko player who has had most of his training in Japan, TaikOz’s more musical approach to taiko has been refreshing and inspiring for Ryuji.  Although Ryuji is sometimes caught in the middle between the new TaikOz style and the traditional Japanese style he is accustomed to, Ryuji is thankful for being able to play as a member of TaikOz, which has shown him a new side of what he loves, taiko.

Ryuji says that the concert is not only a cerebration of TaikOz’s past achievements but also shows its future direction and potential.  Ryuji shares his experience at TaikOz and also tells us what he’d like to do in the future in Sydney.

Ryuji at SBS, Sydney Source: SBS

Source: TaikOz