HIROSHIMA TAIKO PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Hiroshima Taiko Preservation Society (Hiroshima Taiko Hozon Kai) 広島太鼓保存会
♦ Representatives: Mr. Munakata itsuki, master of Hiroshima jidaiko · The Founder of Hiroshima Taiko Preservation Society · Winner of Art ethnic culture prize · Received Hiroshima peaceful cultural certificate award Contact information address,
♦ postal code: 736-0063, Japan
♦ location: Showa-Cho Higashi kaita-Cho Aki-gun, 1-1, Hiroshima Taiko preservation society
♦ contacts: Munakata, phone 082-823-3009, FAX 082-823-8755
Minako phone 082-842-6023
Hiroshima Taiko Hozonkai was formed in 1964 by members of the Hono Daiko Hozon Kai, a taiko group dedicated to preserving Hiroshima’s oldest taiko rhythm and Jidaiko (indigenous Taiko drum) Dokokai, the local taiko appreciation society, under the direction of the cultural appreciation preservation groups, Tochigai and the Sanshukai, representing shrines Sumiyoshi jinja, Ebisu jinja, and Tokasan.
They play the traditional taiko rhythms of Hiroshima prefecture in western Japan. Most of the tunes are hundreds of years old and are played at festivals, events, shrines, public halls, and parks in Hiroshima City itself and in the surrounding towns and villages.
Members meet regularly at the dojo or practice hall to perfect their technique and try for licenses in the many rhythms played by the group, under the testing system set up in the days of the Dokokai.
Here is the list of jidaiko (indigenous Taiko drum) songs:
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Hono Daiko
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Taiko Bayashi
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Nicho Daiko
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Shiki Daiko
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Kenka Daiko
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Ebisu Daiko
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Hiryu Daiko
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Higashi no Taiko
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Nishi no Taiko
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Hono Daiko- Dating back over a thousand years, this song originated as a prayer to the guardian deities, performed by hermit priests in small mountain shrines. It is played now at festivals and any happy occasion. Of all the pieces, it is the one which best displays the rhythmic synchronization of the group – six or seven taiko players in perfect harmony, led by the deep mallow tons of the conch horn.
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Taiko Bayashi- This rhythm has been played at festivals in towns and villages all over the prefecture for at least five hundred years. The high cheerful flute melody expresses the happy relaxed atmosphere of the small farming communities after all the crops have been brought in and the people can slow down and give thanks at the local shrine for a good harvest.
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Nicho Daiko- The fue (bamboo flute) melody of this piece was originally an accompaniment to a ceremonial dance performed by the shrine maidens (Miko) at a large shrine. The melody would be repeated after the ceremony by the priests. It became part of the folk tradition of Hiroshima by being learned by youths in the audience and played at their own local shrine festivals to impress their friends. The taiko rhythm eventually replaced the dance. It's the only piece in Taiko Hozonkai’s repertoire played on two taikos at once.
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Shiki Daiko- The history of this piece is unclear. It is the longest and most complex rhythm the group plays. It represents the four seasons (Shi ki) and was thought to summon the protecting deities. It would therefor be played at any ceremony in which people prayed for good luck in the future. The earth-breaking ceremony for example, to purify and protect new land before beginning construction of a new house or building or the ceremony held when the framework of the roof is completed. It would also be played at weddings for good luck.
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Kenka Daiko- Played in Hiroshima for well over four hundred years. At shine festivals, groups of taiko players converge on the main shrine to compete for the honor of being able to play the rhythm longer or louder than anyone else. Each group extolls the virtues of their own taiko – its either the oldest or the biggest or the heaviest or the loudest or whatever.
Though the rhythm is quite simple it is by far the most difficult to play because of the standing position which puts enormous pressure on the back and leg muscles. Even the strongest most experienced players can only maintain the correct position for a few minutes.
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Ebisu Daiko- Played at the EbisuJinja festival In Hiroshima City in the evening after the ceremonies are over, by anyone who more or less knows the rhythm and wants to join in. The drums and flute summon the seven gods of happiness.
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Hiryu Daiko- Five hundred years old, it announces the and the three day shine festival. The Miyadaiko rhythm is led by the small high pitched shime daiko and joined by fue, conch horn and chanchiki, a small dish-shaped hand-held bell played with a mallet.
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