DOJO LIVE 1: Connection... 結び

02 Mar 2025

In 2025, Taikoz is proud to present a series of concerts in our beloved Ultimo dojo. The first is called Connection... 結び and features the trio Tsukine - Taikoz's dynamic Ryuji Hamada, dancer/choreographer Asuka and shakuhachi shihan Koki Tomiyama.

___ Tickets are $25 and booking link is below ___

(Please bring your email receipt on the day)

The program is based on the theme of “musubi" ( 結び ) and incorporates taiko, shakuhachi, singing bowl, and dance.

The word musubi - "to tie up with something like string" - has various other meanings such as "to close” and "to connect”. It is Ryuji's wish that through the music born from the taiko and shakuhachi, which is given to us by nature, we might feel the connection between people and nature in the here and now.

Connection... 結び features an odaiko solo composed and performed by Ryuji Hamada and a traditional shakuhachi Honkyoku, 峰の月 (Mine no Tsuki) performed by Koki Tomiyama. The program will also see the premiere of Ryuji’s new composition 風薫る (Kaze Kaoru), which is the first time he has composed for shakuhachi. Asuka will add beauty to the work with her original choreography.
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ARTIST PROFILES

ASUKA

Asuka started dancing in her teens and has choreographed, performed and trained as a dancer in Japan, Australia and seven other countries in Asia. She has been active in many fields, including a two-year dancer contract with NIKE Japan. Currently, she teaches childrens' dance groups with a Japanese cultural background and performs in many dance shows. In 2022, she was on the cover of the Japan Airlines calendar. Asuka has also been working as a sound therapist for about seven years, offering therapy sessions as well as unique performances mixing therapeutic instruments with dance and other musical instruments. In 2024, she conducted sound healing sessions on board a round-the-world cruise. She also organises workshops for cancer patients, expanding the possibilities of sound.

KOKI TOMIYAMA

Born in Tokyo, he was introduced to Tozan-ryu shakuhachi at the age of 14 through a shakuhachi workshop at his junior high school. During his student years, he formed a traditional Japanese music ensemble with his peers and performed at various events and live shows. In 2022, he became a certified Tozan-ryu shakuhachi master (shihan) and adopted the shakuhachi name Sōzan. Koki arrived Australia in 2024 and collaborated with Master XinYuan and Guru Devi K Masako. He also holds Japanese language classes in Sydney and is committed to activities that connect Japan and Australia.

RYUJI HAMADA

Ryuji was born and played taiko in Yokohama, Japan, and after arriving in Australia in 2013, was appointed a full member of Taikoz in 2016. Ryuji is often featured as a taiko soloist, shinobue player and dancer and tours nationally and internationally on the mainstage, collaborating with many esteemed artists and musicians. Ryuji has been involved in all of Taikoz's recent major projects, including Taikoz Meets Shogo Yoshii, Natural Forces and Chi Udaka, which was recently presented at the Sydney Opera House for their 50th Anniversary Celebrations and in Singapore's Esplanade Theatre. In 2024, Ryuji traveled to Europe with composer Yunyu, performing When the Rain God Sings at NIME, Utrecht and Ars Electronica, Linz.

Sun 02 Mar 2025 3:00pm Taikoz Ultimo Studio, Ultimo, NSW