Eitetsu Hayashi: Japanese TAIKO Drum Concert Tour with EITETSU FU-UN no KAI in celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations

In the spirit of celebrating the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations, the Japan Foundation presents Eitetsu Hayashi: Japanese TAIKO Drum Concert Tour with Eitetsu FU-UN no KAI. Japan’s premier solo taiko drummer, Eitetsu Hayashi, will embark on tour across Canada starting in Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and ending in Toronto. In addition to the concerts, the group will be performing at Japanese festivals and also participating in taiko workshops held in each city to share his expertise with local Canadian taiko groups. We hope their performances with unprecedented levels of virtuosity and physical prowess will thrill audiences throughout Canada!

Photo of EITETSU FU-UN no KAI
Photo by Sakae Oguma

For more information, please visit The Japan Foundation, Toronto.

Supported by: logo of Air Canada

Concert Tour across Canada

City Calgary
Date Friday, August 10, 2018 7:30PM
Venue Studio Bell National Music Centre, Performance Hall (Tickets)
Co-hosted by Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary
City Vancouver
Date Wednesday, August 15, 2018 7:30PM
Venue Chan Centre, Telus Studio Theatre (Tickets)
Co-hosted by Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
City Ottawa
Date Sunday, August 19, 2018 2:00PM
Venue Canadian Museum of History, Theatre (Tickets)
Co-hosted by Embassy of Japan in Canada
City Toronto
Date Wednesday, August 22, 2018 7:30PM
Venue Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Kobayashi Hall (Tickets)
Co-hosted by Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto, JCCC

Public Performance at Japanese Festivals

City Calgary:the Calgary Japanese Festival“Omatsuri”
Date Saturday, August 11, 2018
Venue the Max Bell Centre (Event Details)
Co-hosted by Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary
City Toronto:the Japan Festival Canada
Date Saturday, August 25, 2018
Venue the Mississauga Celebration Square (Event Details)
Co-hosted by Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto

About the Artist

Photo of Eitetsu HAYASHI
Photo by Minsei Tominaga

Eitetsu HAYASHI林 英哲 started his taiko career as a founding member and performer of the Japan’s top groups “Sado-Ondekoza” and “Kodo”, which he took a part in their establishment. After leading these taiko ensembles for 11 years, he started his solo career in 1982. As the first ever taiko soloist, Eitetsu made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1984.
Since then, he has performed throughout Japan and the world. As a soloist, Eitetsu performed with the world’s top orchestra such as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000, which took place in Berlin’s Waldbühne with an audience of over 20,000 and was broadcast around the world.

Eitetsu has also appeared in various festivals such as the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo (2004), the Japan-Korea Music Festival (2005) and the Saito Memorial Festival in Matsumoto (2005). He received several awards in recognition of his contribution to traditional Japanese music, including the prestigious Japanese National Cultural Award, the 47th Education Minister’s Art Encouragement Prize in the Popular Entertainment Division, and the 8th Award for Promotion of Traditional Japanese Culture, Japan Arts Foundation. In 2016, Eitetsu celebrated the 45th anniversary of his performing activities, and in 2017, the 35th anniversary of his solo career.

About EITETSU FU-UN no KAI

EITETSU FU-UN no KAI 英哲風雲の会 is the ensemble made up of top young taiko drummers active in Japan. In addition to performing Eitetsu’s original compositions which feature the big O-Daiko drum, the members often perform together with him. FU-UN no KAI in Japanese refers to a favorable opportunity for highly aspiring people to achieve their goals. The name was a good fit because it reflects their spirit. The overwhelming power of their live performance has elicited strong responses across Japan and abroad. Since celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2005, the group began full-fledged activities as an independent unit.

The ensemble delights the audience with extraordinary taiko performances in various formats while exhibiting the individuality of each member. Inheriting Eitetsu’s aesthetic sense, the ensemble puts on a tight show with a good, grainy sound, dynamic tone sequences that combine the slow and fast, strong and soft, and polished sound landscapes.

[Contact Us]

The Japan Foundation
Persons in Charge: Kodachi (Ms.), Kamasuda (Ms.)
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6061 / Fax: +81-(0)3-5369-6038
E-mail: arts1@jpf.go.jp
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