Japanese Taiko

Joji Hirota (Composer), Japanese Traditional (Composer), Joji Hirota & The Taiko Drummers (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joji Hirota & The Taiko Drummers
• Composer: Joji Hirota, Japanese Traditional
• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arc Music
• ASIN: B0002IQCDO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,047 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > Japan
  • #44 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > General AAS
  • #44 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > General

Track Listings

1. Harvest, for taiko drum ensemble

2. Pageant, for taiko drum ensemble

3. Haru-Ichiban, for taiko drum ensemble

4. Musashi Mai Uchi

5. Hokkai II, for taiko drum ensemble

6. Chido-Setsu, for taiko drum ensemble

7. Suisei-Hanabi, for taiko drum ensemble

8. Heart Beat, for taiko drum ensemble

9. Yuki Jizoh, for taiko drum ensemble

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Taiko collections I've heard, September 4, 2004

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Japanese Taiko (Audio CD)

This is without a doubt one of the BEST taiko CD's ever. We put this on (to test a new subwoofer) and the sound of the drums was clear, the contrasting sticks and bells came through sharp and defined. The rhythms are surprisingly jazzy and modern.

There are nine cuts on this CD: the first seems VERY long but it's actually shy of 8 minutes--some are longer, 9:31 and 10:46 . The first cut Harvest is by far the best, though I like the almost 11 minute Heart Beat a lot as well.

The thundering big drums have traditional rhythms, but merge into melodic "songs" of a more modern nature. The drums are of varying sizes and tuned to different tones, and there is auxiliary percussion (sticks on the drum frame and some other percussion as well) but the Taiko dominate.


I find Taiko very energizing and I play this CD to lift my mood, especially if doing household tasks. If you like percussion, this is absolutely a must-have cd. We were VERY impressed.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Japanese drumming...!, September 27, 2004

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Japanese Taiko (Audio CD)

Another fine album by one of the major stars of the modern taiko drumming scene... Hirota's innovative compositions are audacious and ambitious; the skill and precision with which his ensemble perform them is nothing short of amazing. There are modernizations and meter shifts that may be questionable -- depending on your personal tastes or inclinations -- but for taiko fans, even those who prefer a more traditional style, this disc is a must. This is the music being played at its highest and most challenging level... Recommended!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Taiko, January 10, 2007

By 

J. Nicholas "check out my shirts http://www.... (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Japanese Taiko (Audio CD)

I was first introduced to this throught a PBS program about taiko in America. Taiko is nothing but pure hardcore drumming. These aren't a bunch of guys sitting on their --- tapping out rhythms. They're beating the crap out of these drums. I'm sure there are youtube videos out there, it's a must if you've never seen how they play them.

This is my first taiko cd. As the other reviews said, the first song is the best, it is absolutly intense. The whole cd is great though. If you work out, this is a perfect cd to listen to while doing so. If you can sit still while listening to this, I'd be very surprised. Buy it, you won't regret it!