International Drumming Sensation Yamato Returns to Lafayette

Yamato combines athleticism, precision and astounding musical expertise.

Masters of the ancient art of Japanese Wadaiko drumming, Yamato returns to Lafayette’s William Center for the Arts for a performance on Tuesday, Nov. 19 that is guaranteed to make hearts pound.

Founded by Masa Ogawa in 1993 in Nara, “the land of Yamato,” said to be the birthplace of Japanese culture, the wildly entertaining troupe travels all over the world with Japan’s Wadaiko drums, which are made from animal skin and ancient trees.

The highly trained women and men of Yamato liken the sound of their drumming to a heartbeat, the source of power which pulses through a human body. The sensations one feels when surrounded by the sound of Wadaiko is what the Japanese call Tamashy, translated as soul, spirit and psyche – the basic elements of life.

Professor of Music Larry Stockton will give a preconcert talk at 7 p.m. in room 123 of the Williams Center for the Arts.

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Photo by Masa Ogawa; higher resolution available online, http://flic.kr/p/fz1GoF

Kathleen Parrish
Associate Director of Media Relations
Lafayette College
Communications Division
Easton, PA 18042
parrishk@lafayette.edu
www.lafayette.edu