Taiko Taikai 2023 - 1st Place Performance

1st place winning performance at the 2023 Taiko Taikai held at Terasaki Budokan. Performed by Sarah Gilbert.
**Liked this performance? Get your tickets for the 2024 Taiko Taikai livestream or in-person at Los Angeles Little Tokyo's Terasaki Budokan on May 18th!
Tickets: taikotaikai.com/
We hope to see you there and thank you for all your support!
SUBSCRIBE for more performances like this and to stay tuned for this year's Taikai!
**Please consider donating to support the taiko community + help make this event possible here:
form.jotform.com/233194883678978
A huge thank you to TaikoVentures, who is generously aiding us with crowdfunding logistics!

[@taikotaikai]

**Liked this performance? Get your tickets for the 2024 Taiko Taikai livestream or in-person at Los Angeles Little Tokyo's Terasaki Budokan on May 18th! Tickets: taikotaikai.com/ We hope to see you there and thank you for all your support! SUBSCRIBE for more performances like this and to stay tuned for this year's Taikai! **Please consider donating to support the taiko community + help make this event possible here: form.jotform.com/233194883678978 A huge thank you to TaikoVentures, who is generously aiding us with crowdfunding logistics!

[@trythatagin]

I was a junior in college when a Taiko troop came to the college to perform. The Dean of students started by saying "Please silence your cell phones during the performance" to which the troop leader replied "Don't worry about silencing your cell phones, you won't hear them anyway." The sound that permeates from those drums can be felt throughout the body.

[@Thrillrider10]

Having heard a taiko in person, can confirm. You feel that shit in your soul, and I love it.

[@BullDeerAryu_]

I would imagine - those things look about the size of a damn aircraft tire XD

[@dragonyami]

Still should do it as a courtesy

[@Mutiny960]

@@dragonyami The Troop leader had the right attitude "You want to challenge us with your inferior technology? Try it, you will lose..." You on the other hand, are just an ass.

[@childofcascadia]

@Thrillrider10 I have a good friend who isnt quite deaf, but is very hard of hearing (can only hear a very small mid frequency range compared to fully hearing folks) He *loves* taiko drumming, because you dont need to be able to hear in typical human frequencies to enjoy its sound, you can *feel* it.

[@SheyD78]

I wonder how someone reaches a point in their life where they say "That's it, I'm going to play those really big drums at a professional level"

[@dmoeller0]

babysteps..

[@Tiger313NL]

No clue, but I would love to have a big drum like that to pound on when I get home from work. Just not sure my neighbours would like it... :}

[@randynavarro6101]

😂😂😂

[@Uncommonsenses]

How is it that everybody doesn’t?

[@kellyburket6955]

Practice...

[@Jackalski57]

Great work. You can tell she's trained hard by her musculature. It takes not only arm and shoulder strength to carry thus out, but a lot of leg and core strength and endurance as well!

[@AlessandroDaCarignano]

I realized she was a woman only when she finished to play, for all the time before, I was thinking she was a big muscular guy 😅

[@user-jx4nt9be8q]

​@@AlessandroDaCarignano🤨🙄

[@TheAlienPoison]

​@AlessandroDaCarignano You'll have a hard time telling apart women and men in the future xD. It's useful to train your attention, telling apart men and women is the most basic one, it's useful in emergencies that require memory and observation.

[@defnotnaruto222]

​@@TheAlienPoisonTo be fair, she did have her hair up in a ponytail, which in standards is just normal for both men and women playing instruments like these. If you weren't focused on her chest, chances are those muscles would lead you to believing she was a guy.

[@TheAlienPoison]

@defnotnaruto222 Breasts aren't an indicator for women nowadays since men also go for them xD, I haven't deliberately memorised female characteristics but knowing that women have narrow shoulders and wide waists is sufficient for me to identify her as a woman. I identified her gender based on the narrowness of her shoulders.

[@Goldenlion61803]

Holy shiz that was epic. The strength and endurance needed here is amazing. Mastery comes in many forms.

[@samsham8181]

Her performance was great. If you really want to be enthralled see either The Kodo or Yamato Drummers in concert.

[@Goldenlion61803]

I definitely will! Thanks!

[@katamine11]

And at the same time it was amazingly graceful. That’s serious skill.

[@Melpheos1er]

@@samsham8181 Kodo will be in France in march but the concert price for the worse seats are ridiculous compared to a decade ago

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@watcherwraith007]

This looks like the type of drumming an Earthbender would do :o

[@0WierdAsHell]

I hope you have an amazing day!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@Thomas-lv9se]

Now I get what my upstairs neighbour is training for at 4 am... He clearly wants to become as proficient as her playing that giant drum.

[@marie-annecody83]

Poor you😂!

[@RT-qd8yl]

Why are you not being louder than him

[@Thomas-lv9se]

@@RT-qd8yl I don't have enough money to buy such an amazing instrument on the side 😞

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@djdood]

As much dance as drumming. Amazing athleticism and musicianship.

[@py_a_thon]

If one can find the way in one task, then one perhaps can find the way in many other tasks. Art like this seems heavily rooted in an almost meditative aspect. One of the values of learning skills like this is how the same ideas can be transferable across many other related and unrelated tasks, and perhaps something as ephemeral as the mere act of a calm mind and enjoyable existence.

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@melodied4314]

I know nothing about this art, skill, music, performance; but dang that was brilliant.

[@kellyburket6955]

Think of what it takes to build those drums!

[@billrobbins5874]

Enjoyed the smaller side view clip. Seemed to show more of her arm control. Amazing! 👍

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@Bobfelli]

I always loved the rhythm of the shoulder rotations of this for of drumming. It is hypnotic

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@davidcadman4468]

Reminded me of a time when 2 Draught Horses (Clydesdale) came up a small hill, in a 10 acre paddock, and charged us, at full gallop. Their hooves pounding on the dry soil. Vibrating not only the land, but the very air, as they closed the distance.

[@alisonmccracken-mills5381]

I can see it David!! .....and the softer beats between louder notes like the drumming of your heart/pulse in your ears as they get closer and closer!! ( I've horses, too..... and my husband has a rather high spirited 'predictably unpredictable' Arab mare!!)😅

[@missbeans]

That was damn poetic! You have a gift for words sir.

[@wudangmtn]

I’ve tried to imagine what a charging Calvary must have felt and sounded like. It must have been terrifying.

[@sueclayton1635]

Crikey, my arms are hurting just watching this! How very talented 👏

[@Chick4choice]

You can see how thick her upper back and arms are!! Powerful.

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@meganpopple9100]

Reminds me the tiniest bit of playing the lowest register on tube and contrabass clarinet. Your entire body is vibrating while you trying to be steady in your fingers (especially on the clarinet) and your breath. I nearly vibrated off of my stool many times. Massive respect! 🫡

[@MoonGoddess401]

I was lucky enough to attend Taiko Taikai live last year, it was amazing. All the performers were amazing, Sarah was phenomenal, and getting to watch the concert at the end of the night is a memory I will hold onto for a long time. Looking forward to Taiko Taikai 2024!!!!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@MoonGoddess401]

@@taikotaikai I already have my ticket for both the competition and concert, and am looking forward to it!!

[@alanfoster6589]

My one public performance on taiko was at...a biker wedding. Special request. I held the beat on one side while a professional drummer did variations on the other. It went well, but I was scared to death I'd screw up.

[@notaboutit3565]

That’s awesome 😂

[@jpathak6227]

That is one powerful woman playing the giant Tiako drums.

[@oldcowbb]

Giant Taiko drum literally means giant giant drum drum

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@Yuri-xj6tm]

never thought i would be so mesmerized by someone hiting a realy big drum with so much passion

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@LeydenAigg]

While I was in the US Navy, I once had the honor of being invited to play a taiko at the Nebuta Matsuri (festival) in Northern Honshu. As a musician, I simply copied the same rhythm I heard locals playing, trying to come as close as I could to the same technique. The people were very pleased, while I got death stares from my envious "fellow" GIs. Most of them didn't even try to play the bamboo flutes that were being handed out. I'll remember that melody till the day I die. Folks were so pleased with what I did, someone gave me a happi coat, which I wore for many years.

[@m.w.3093]

Can you call these still "ghost notes" when you are thrashing them with so much power? Great performance!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@joshpanarese]

Substitute your morning "Joe" and listen to this instead! Dang amazing!

[@aprilstevens8884]

It takes all kinds of musicians to make art. This takes loads of practice and upper body strength im sure

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@SausageWorship]

I envisioned a clash between two fighters listening to this amazing performance - from the initial face-off to the physical confrontation/battle and in the end one of them delivering the final blow. Outstanding performance!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@janemckay8705]

The upper body strength and endurance required………wow !

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@melodyszadkowski5256]

My two most amazing memories I brought back from my years stationed in Japan were taiko and sumo. Totally amazing traditional art forms.

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@amhunter7556]

My God, she's brilliant - and I bet you need to be SUPER fit to manage that!

[@auroraborealis6009]

She has incredible arms! That is a full body workout for sure!

[@expatmoose]

Wouldn’t want to cross her on a dark night that’s for sure……

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@here-right-here]

Wow! Her arms! 💪

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

For some reason, this kind of drumming performance reminds me of peacock spiders and their amazing dance. For all the good reasons, those spiders are absolutely gorgeous, and so was this drumming performance. It just reminds me we're really just a part of nature, when all's said and done. ❤

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@noblefeather6192]

Precision!!!!!!!!!

[@jeanneblondewomanstamping9788]

Beautiful performance.

[@davidhauk4163]

Excellent.

[@unseelie63]

That is amazing! I would have loved to have been in the audience and felt the intense vibrations from that drum!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@consueloluga7355]

Energetic.... Amazing!!!

[@bluebluelectricblue]

Best arm workout ever 💪🏽💪🏽

[@anaterka231]

I have zero idea what this is about but it was fun to watch

[@arnoldmayii3563]

Amazing

[@johnl4933]

My shoulders are burning just watching this!

[@AlejandroGarcia-tw9oj]

Wow, what an amazing performance, ❤️ it.

[@Speedbuggy01]

Just beautiful. Her movements are enthralling!

[@ragdollmag]

My son and I play taiko. This gave me the excitement I never lose for taiko, well done!

[@arthurk3932]

Never fails to amaze me how these people are able to make music out of just ONE SINGLE DRUM !

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@lucasmuraguchi7961]

Amazing job, Sarah! Greetings from Brazil!

[@jeelbearsan]

Lucas! Meeting you at ECTC in 2017 and seeing your taikai videos from Brazil got me here. :) Hope to see you again someday soon!

[@TheOlvan]

I took a taiko drum class once. It was a LOT of fun and a LOT of work. Doing the rhythms is one thing, but doing it with the correct FORM is another. It is incredibly difficult. Sarah did an amazing job and brought honor to the taiko drum community.

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@rodneyallen2672]

that was truly outstanding and inspirational

[@digithead01]

EXCELLENT!!!

[@munplop]

she looks so powerful and cool! I bet she gives the best hugs with arms and shoulders like that!

[@terrywillis1446]

THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!! AWESOME!!

[@lucasferronii1961]

plays the most incredible🔥👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@justin3151]

Absolutely stunning ❤

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@Wulfryk]

The algorithm is bringing me to wonderful places

[@USAF4615]

I like her performance and dedication.

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@BluganoStudio]

"Yoooo!" Love that part!

[@SlimeKingK]

The playing is one thing but the visual flow of the player’s arms was awesome!

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@cobirogers]

Imagine you're in the forest or the middle of nowhere and you hear this increasing in volume by the moment

[@JugglesGrenades]

Quite frequently I will beat on an old coffee can with two sticks........but this is MAGNIFICENT !

[@enigmagenesis7341]

Takes me back to when I saw 'Kodo'. Man, what a show! And when your hear those drums in an acoustically adjusted auditorium...😮

[@mmancino1982]

Kodo is amazing

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@Baphelon]

Was thinking "man, they're ripped. do they really need all that muscle just for a drum?" She did in fact need all that muscle

[@CircusFoxxo]

The video barely does it justice, you gotta really SLAM taiko It's less like "playing a drum" and more like "musical/rhythmic 5 minute heavy bag boxing workout"

[@billflynn6903]

Talent with great shoulders!! Rock ON, Sarah!!!!!!!

[@The_Goosen]

HOLY CRAP THOSE MUSCLES!! :0 You can tell she worked incredibly hard for this!!

[@ANSELNaamehRahab]

Yup, this is awesome ❤

[@UntalentedChild]

Obs studio makes a beautiful sound

[@Ladenstarfish]

Was looking for this comment

[@LMD2915]

🤣🤣😂 I have always wanted to ask the OBS developers why they have a mitsudomoe as their symbol. Not that I mind a mitsudomoe sitting in my system tray. It's one of my favorite things to look at.

[@bs5167]

Yesssss

[@rocioguevaraobando9075]

¡Magnífico! 😊🌸

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

⭐️*⭐️*⭐️*⭐️*⭐️

[@ilooknoob]

I see we're all stuck in the same Genjutsu.

[@aryanahr7887]

I know nothing about this though I bet it's not just the sound/beats that counts but the fluidity of her movements too. I wish they could enlarge the side view, because my eyes are focused there.

[@novaste1238]

Now that's a whole lotta heart right there. AWESOME

[@laurakatherine9836]

seeing tailored drums in person is a really powerful experience!

[@AlanNAlaska]

What an incredibly talented beast of a beautiful and humble young woman. Well done!

[@toshinoriyagi8471]

My cat behind my door at 3 am

[@smkanagawa]

🤣Mine too!

[@73whitezz]

That was banging! loved that.

[@rjlatham999]

youtube pulling up some incredible choices. great music

[@lb_1755]

HE IS HERE. JOY BOY!!!!

[@NGYX2]

Drumming on the OBS logo ;D

[@LMD2915]

😆 I've always wanted to ask the creators of that program WHY a mitsudomoe is the symbol for OBS. Since the mitsudomoe is one of my favorite things to look at, I have no problem with one sitting in my system tray.

[@darky4555]

That was some pretty good stuff.

[@kandisnz]

I could feel the story! Amazing❤

[@gandalf9460]

Calmed me down a lot. Headache is gone. Nice!

[@TaraB1134]

Lovely, so very impressive. 😍

[@Keltik0ne]

Jesus, that's a workout and no mistake.

[@RonBittner-mt1nd]

Its what u feel ❤

[@anjanagel5558]

Meinen höchsten Respekt! Grüße aus Hamburg Deutschland

[@innerg1221]

The first time I watched Cirque Du Solei, the show started with 2 taiko drummers strapped to both ends of a massive half ton, 6 foot tall, 20 foot long taiko drum suspended 100 feet in the air at the top of the ceiling of the arena, slowly lowering to the stage while the deep thundering sound from that big odaiko gave me goosebumps. It would be even more awesome to see a girl be on one end of that huge drum. Cirque du Soleil should def call this chick

[@sgt_slobber.7628]

That was…….OUTSTANDING!!!!! BRAVA!!!!!🤗🤗🤗

[@FlipTheBard]

I still wish to one day play Taiko. Seems like a good way to deal with my hyperactivity while also developing a muscular upper body.

[@smkanagawa]

Where are you located? There are groups you can join all around the world!

[@guyblew1733]

Very nice performance❤❤

[@solisa1656]

That is amazing! I can’t help thinking about how much she must practice and what her neighbors think 😂

[@danbaxter4216]

They probably thinking, “oh fk, she’s got the drum out again”

[@roses9339]

These drummers spend years and years to master the drumming of the heart beat. Cheers Rosemary Western Australia 73yrs

[@taikotaikai]

Thank you very much for your support! Please consider watching the livestream here or attending in person if you'll be in the Los Angeles area. Visit taikotaikai.com/ for more info or to buy in person tickets + subscribe to stay tuned for this year's Taikai on May 18!

[@dougaldarcy6463]

it most certainly is a full body drumming

[@alriciab.p.7936]

Pure power and strength

[@berlinetta____2680]

Awesome!!

[@karras3593]

What a workout 😁

[@garlicgirl3149]

Love percussion

[@michaelwilhelm157]

Great!

[@Danchell]

Tremendous. I like how Sarah began this. Never sure when first strike would begin.

[@robertoalvarez2777]

Bravo!!

[@monsterslayer4317]

Fugging superb!

[@herberar]

You can recognize the Japanese culture by the minimal beauty of its art.

[@nancyjanzen5676]

I thought taiko drums were Korean.

[@adrimarsink]

​@@nancyjanzen5676Taiko drum is Japanese. Look it up on Google. Korea has traditional drums too, but this is Japanese.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

​@@nancyjanzen5676The predecessors to Taiko drums were introduced to Japan via Chinese and Korean influences.

[@rodneymineweaser2504]

Awesomeness!

[@SHADOWofJUSTiCE]

this is why gamestop didn't let me replace any more drum sets...

[@TheAnxiousOwl]

The more I thought of the drum, the more I assumed it was only one note and only one harmony. Now I think of it as a resonating harmony with more to it than just beats, but also vibration. That vibration turns into a melody that only those who listen can hear. How naive was I.

[@bdg77]

Wow! Very spirited drumming!