好色先生TV

The 好色先生TV Institute for Arts & Culture鈥檚 spring 2025 season begins on Tuesday, Feb. 4, when YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan return to 好色先生TV University with a thrilling new production, 鈥淗ito no Chikara鈥擳he Power of Human Strength.鈥澨�
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The 鈥渟imply captivating鈥� (The Evening Post) Taiko troupe has reached nearly eight million people globally in more than 4,000 performances throughout their 32-year history, adding to that number this season with seven performances in Canada and 29 venues throughout the United States from New England to California.听
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鈥淵AMATO believes that the drumbeat, like the heartbeat, is the very pulse of life and the epitome of the Japanese spirit,鈥� says the troupe鈥檚 Founder and Artistic Director Masa Ogawa. The physically powerful cohort of musician-athletes works and lives together as a community in the Asuka Village, said to be the birthplace of Japanese culture. There, they create their own musical compositions, theatre productions, sets, lighting design, choreography, performance techniques, costumes, makeup, stage settings, and props. They make their own bachi sticks used to play the traditional Japanese instruments, beginning each show by hitting a Wadaiko drum, weighing half a ton and made from a single piece of wood from a 400-year-old tree.听
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In every program, the drummers play 35-40 different Japanese drums, which are divided into four types: Miya-daiko, Hirado-taiko, Okedo-daiko, and Shime-daiko, each varying in size and tone. Additionally, the troupe plays Japanese instruments, including the Shamisen, Koto, Chappa, and Shinobue. Ogawa explains, 鈥淎fter composing each song, I give a score to the drummers. From that point, YAMATO鈥檚 true creation begins. The drummers put their thoughts and spirit into each note. We open the eyes of the heart to find a sort of synchronicity with the other drummers. Our final purpose is to connect to the heart of the audience.鈥澨�
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This season鈥檚 new program, entitled 鈥淗ito no Chikara鈥擳he Power of Human Strength,鈥� examines humanity鈥檚 ever-evolving relationship with technology and artificial intelligence. Masa Ogawa wonders, 鈥淲ill there ever be a machine that can play Taiko with unparalleled accuracy? Will advanced algorithms make them sound human-like? Will people be used by the tools they have created, or will we no longer need people in the future? What will happen to Taiko drumming?鈥� Ogawa concludes, 鈥淟et us beat the Taiko as we are YAMATO. We do not know when the end of humanity is, but we will strike until that moment. The sounds struck by the heart, resonating with each other, will become 鈥楬ito no Chikara鈥擳he Power of Human Strength.鈥欌�澨�
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Tickets, priced $30-$55, can be purchased online at , over the phone at 814-824-3000, or in person at the Mary D鈥橝ngelo Performing Arts Center box office (Tues.-Thurs., noon-5 p.m.). Each order is subject to a $4 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.听
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This performance is made possible through the generous support of Curtze Food Service and Oliver鈥檚 Rooftop, and the 2024-2025 MIAC Live season is sponsored by Alan & Patti Schaal and VNET, with additional support from the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.听
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YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan鈥檚 North American tour is supported in part by the Japan Foundation.听