Song Descriptions

Composed by Shuji Komagata

Performed by the Somei Taiko Adult I, II, & III Classes, Waipahu Taiyoji Taiko, the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Performing Group & the Somei Taiko Performing Group

For many in Hawaiʻi, New Year's Eve is marked by one of the most spectacular fireworks celebrations in the world. As midnight approaches, anticipation fills the air. Then, in an explosion of light, color, and sound, fireworks illuminate the night sky from neighborhoods, streets, and mountaintops across the islands. Hanabi, meaning “Fireworks,” captures the excitement, energy, and festive spirit of this uniquely local tradition. Through vibrant rhythms and dynamic musical passages, the piece evokes the brilliance of fireworks bursting overhead and the joy of welcoming a new year filled with hope, gratitude, and new beginnings.

Composed by Etsuo Hongo

Performed by the Somei Taiko Junior Group & the Somei Taiko Performing Group

Originally composed by Etsuo Hongo, founder of Los Angeles Matsuri Taiko, Hayashi is one of Hongo Sensei’s signature compositions and has been performed by generations of taiko players throughout North America. Inspired by the festive spirit and excitement of a traditional Japanese matsuri, the piece combines energetic rhythms and spirited movement that celebrate the joy of communal drumming. Through Hayashi, Hongo Sensei expressed his belief in the power of taiko to bring people together, foster lasting friendships, and strengthen the bonds that connect generations of taiko players within the taiko community.

Composed by Shuji Komagata

Performed by the Somei Taiko Adult I & II Classes

Kumi-daiko, or ensemble taiko, brings together many individual performers to create a single musical expression. As each drummer contributes their unique voice, the rhythms and sounds of the taiko unite to form Kyōsei—a resonant voice born from harmony, cooperation, and shared energy.

Composed by Shuji Komagata

Performed by the Somei Taiko Adult III Class & the Somei Taiko Performing Group

The dragon of Japanese mythology is a powerful water deity, governing rainfall and the life-giving forces of rivers and oceans. Sōryū, the “Blue Dragon” or “Green Dragon,” portrays this majestic creature through dynamic rhythms and sweeping movements. As the music unfolds, the performers bring to life the dragon's strength, elegance, and spirit as it rides the wind and water.

Composed by Shuji Komagata

Performed by the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Performing Group & the Somei Taiko Performing Group

More than a thousand years ago, ancient Polynesian voyagers settled the Hawaiian Islands after navigating thousands of miles across the vast Pacific Ocean. Guided by the stars, ocean currents, winds, and their intimate knowledge of nature, these remarkable seafarers embarked on journeys that were both beautiful and perilous. Kōkai, meaning “Sea Voyage,” captures the spirit of exploration, courage, and perseverance that carried these voyagers across the open sea. Through moments of calm reflection and surging energy, the music portrays the challenges and triumphs of their journey to Hawaiʻi, where a vibrant culture would take root and flourish for generations. 

Performed by Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai U.S.A.

Composed by Yoichi Watanabe • Arranged by Yasuhide Tanaka

Performed by Wako Daiko

The title Otodama, meaning “Sound and Spirit,” expresses three interconnected ideas: shaking the soul, resonating with the soul, and pouring one's soul into the music. The composition unfolds in three distinct sections that reflect these themes. The opening features powerful taiko rhythms that stir both performers and audience alike. The second section explores a more free-flowing musical dialogue, with sounds that connect, resonate, and grow together. In the final section, individual performers are given the opportunity to express themselves through featured solo performances. As these three elements come together, the music builds in intensity, energy, and excitement, culminating in a powerful finale. Through Otodama, Wako Daiko invites audiences to experience the spirit, passion, and heart of taiko.

Composed by Taishi Yamabe • Arranged by Yasuhide Tanaka

Performed by Wako Daiko

Kanade is a dynamic composition that showcases the rich variety of sounds created by different types of taiko drums. Each drum contributes its own unique voice, blending together to create a vibrant and expressive musical landscape. Throughout the piece, powerful rhythms are balanced with moments of subtlety and grace, highlighting both the strength and sensitivity that are hallmarks of taiko performance. As the tempo gradually increases, the energy and excitement continue to build, while the performers demonstrate precision, unity, and teamwork. A contemporary addition to Wako Daiko's repertoire, Kanade reflects the group's distinctive style and invites audiences to experience the many colors and possibilities of taiko music.

Traditional piece from the Chichibu Festival

Performed by the Somei Taiko Junior Group 

One of the most celebrated works in the taiko repertoire, Yatai Bayashi traces its origins to the Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The title translates as “Festival Cart Music,” referring to the rhythms traditionally performed within the ornate festival floats (yatai) that are paraded through the streets during the celebration. Known for its driving rhythms, physical endurance, and dramatic style, the piece was adapted for the stage by Ondekoza and has since become a cornerstone of modern taiko performance around the world. The version presented today has been passed down to Hawaii Matsuri Taiko through Marco Lienhard of Taikoza, a former member of Ondekoza. Performed in a low seated position, the players must combine strength, focus, and stamina as the music builds in intensity and excitement toward its powerful conclusion.

Composed by Jaymie Komagata

Performed by the Somei Taiko Keiki Class

Teaching young students the art of taiko is both rewarding and entertaining. With a room full of enthusiastic beginners, moments of chaos are bound to happen! Written especially for our Keiki Beginner Class, Chaos captures the boundless energy, excitement, and joy that children bring to the taiko drum. Filled with playful rhythms and spirited movement, this piece celebrates the fun of learning, growing, and making music together.

Composed by Daihachi Oguchi • Arranged by Seiichi Tanaka

Performed by the Somei Taiko Keiki Class

 
One of the most widely performed and influential compositions in the history of kumi-daiko, Hiryū Sandan Gaeshi traces its roots to the rhythms of the Osuwa Daiko tradition founded by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi. Inspired by rhythms once played at Suwa Shrine, the piece reflects the powerful drumming used to call upon the deities and invite their presence. Throughout the performance, the players shout, “Tenka Shofuku, Sokusai Enmei” (天下祥福・息災延命), a traditional prayer for protection, good fortune, health, and long life. Dynamic, energetic, and deeply rooted in taiko tradition, Hiryū Sandan Gaeshi remains a beloved cornerstone of the modern taiko repertoire.

Solo by Michael Gonhata

Lines of Motion is a solo work for naname (slanted) chudaiko inspired by the rhythms and energy of Japanese summer festivals. Built around evolving grooves, shifting dynamics, and flowing movement, the piece explores the visual and rhythmic interplay between performer and drum.

Oedo Sukeroku Taiko Tradition

Performed by the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Performing Group & the Somei Taiko Performing Group

This lively medley is rooted in the Oedo Sukeroku Taiko tradition and traces its lineage through Kiyonari Tosha (Onozato Motoe). The opening section, traditionally known as Shiraume Daiko (“White Plum Blossom Taiko”), evokes the beauty and resilience of the plum blossom, which blooms at the end of winter and symbolizes renewal, perseverance, and the promise of spring. The piece transitions into Matsuri Daiko (“Festival Taiko”), capturing the excitement, energy, and celebratory spirit of a traditional Japanese festival. Together, these beloved compositions showcase the distinctive style, graceful movement, and spirited rhythms that have made the Sukeroku tradition one of the most influential forms of modern taiko performance.

Composed by Yoichi Watanabe • Arranged by Yasuhide Tanaka

Performed by Wako Daiko

Named after the spectacular fireworks that are a cherished symbol of summer in Japan, Hanabi captures both the anticipation and beauty of a fireworks display. The piece begins with the quiet stillness of the evening sky and the excitement of the crowd as they await the first burst of light. Through rich tones and dynamic rhythms, the music portrays fireworks blooming overhead, spreading across the sky in brilliant succession. It also evokes the fleeting nature of each display—the dazzling flash, the lingering glow, and the memories that remain long after the light has faded. Hanabi is an experience of fireworks through sound, inviting listeners to feel the wonder and excitement of a summer night festival.

Arranged by Yasuhide Tanaka based on the original composition Nidan Uchi (First Generation Sukeroku Taiko) 

Performed by Wako Daiko

Nidanmai is a stylish and energetic composition in which performers of varying ages, sizes, and experience levels come together in a rhythmic dance of taiko. Beginning at a measured pace, the music gradually accelerates, building excitement and momentum throughout the performance. Characterized by lively rhythms, graceful movement, and moments of improvisation, the piece highlights the individuality of each performer while celebrating the harmony and unity of the ensemble.

Performed by Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai U.S.A.

Composed and arranged by Faye Komagata

Performed by the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Performing Group, the Somei Taiko Performing Group, & the Somei Taiko Adult III Class

Rising from the depths of the Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands were born through the power of volcanic fire and shaped by the forces of nature. Yet Hawaiʻi's story is also the story of its people—generations who crossed oceans, worked the land, endured hardship, and built lives for their families with courage, determination, and hope. Kazan, meaning “Volcano,” pays tribute to both the natural beauty of the islands and the enduring spirit of those who call Hawaiʻi home. Throughout the piece, soloists express their individuality through improvisation, building in intensity and energy before culminating in a powerful and dramatic finale.  

A signature composition of Faye Komagata, Kazan has become the traditional finale of Hawaii Matsuri Taiko and Somei Taiko performances.