Product Description

Taiko drumming is an ancient sacred practice in Japan, originally used to drive away pests from rice fields and then to call to the gods in thanks at harvest time. Today taiko in Japan, and especially in North America, has evolved into a form of mental, physical, and martial arts training that combines rhythm, harmony, and movement. This book is for anyone who would like to try taiko or who is fascinated by the instruments, dances, and compositions of a typically powerful taiko performance. Contains an introduction to taiko history as well as resources for students.

Heidi Varian is a longtime student of taiko and a taiko event producer.

Seiichi Tanaka is founder and director of the renowned San Francisco Taiko Dojo.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #912701 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Heidi Varian has studied with the SF Taiko Dojo for 17 years, She also produces taiko performances, including the famous taiko scene in the flm Rising Sun. She has performed at Lollapalooza and Burning Man and with Mickey Hart gave a command performance for Nelson Mandela. She also teaches taiko in prisons and runs taiko arts programs in schools.

Founder and Director, San Francisco Taiko Dojo, the most prominent taiko group outside Japan.

Customer Reviews

Content great, Stone Bridge Press binding terrible
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.

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

Highly recommended to all enthusiasts of the eastern philosophies and arts
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.