Customer Reviews

The Way of Taiko

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a small 7x7inch high quality gloss paper bound survey of Taiko. It presents a nice forward by Sensei Seiichi Tanaka, a brief history and sections on the culture and "way" of taiko.

There are many high quality color photos that convey what cannot be conveyed in writing. Taiko is EXCITING!!

I liked the sections on the connections with the spirit and nature, as an artistic community I think we need to emphasized these elements more in practice and performance.

The Taiko Glossary filled in some data gaps for me - however, I would think that any practicer with more than 2 or 3 years experience would or should know these terms.

I think there should have been more on the "songs" how they are taught and the culture or practice of what groups get to perform what songs. - there is no copyright per se but there is an informal (read no lawyers - yet) means of giving permission to perform certain songs to groups.

All in all this is a good book for beginers and novices or anyone interested in an introduction to taiko. There is so much more that I hope to see in the follow on book to this one.

It's curious that while Sensei Tiffany Tamaribuchi is acknowledged that her group the Sacramento Taiko Dan is not mentioned either in the book it self or the list of "Senior Taiko Ensembles" - hopefully this omission will be corrected in later editions.

the book itself has beautiful pictures and is a great resource for the taiko enthusiast no matter the experience level. I will say though, that the binding on every copy I've seen is terrible. I'd advise punching holes and putting it in a binder if you wish to keep it together.

I only had this paperback book for a couple of days when pages began falling out as I read it. The information, pictures and writing were great, but even with very careful handling, the binding was not adequate to hold the pages intact. This was disconcerting, of course, and my attempts to contact the publisher - Stone Bridge Press - to complain of the problem failed. They never responded.

I returned the book to Amazon, who refunded the cost of the book minus shipping. This is one of the very few returns I have ever had to make to Amazon.

I would never buy another book from Stone Bridge Press without seeing it and handling it before hand.

This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the art of taiko...a lovely little gem of a book.

The Way Of Taiko by Heidi Varian is the translation of information that will enable American readers to understand and enjoy (even participate in) the sacred art and practice of ethnic Japanese drum music known as "Taiko". Providing a wealth of general information documenting "Taiko", The Way Of Taiko engagingly informs the reader of many of the great intricacies in this specialized music, and is inclusive of many expressive and artistic pictures to give the reader an accurate idea of what "Taiko" truly is. The Way Of Taiko is very highly recommended to all enthusiasts of the eastern philosophies and arts, especially those musically inclined, as well as students of Japanese culture.