Yamato – The Drummers of Japan perform their new show “Hito no Chikara”. We sat down with founder of Yamato Drummers, Masa Ogawa to discus their upcoming performance.
The Power of Human Strength at Peacock Theatre from 12 to 30 May to book https://www.sadlerswells.com
Yamato has become one of the most recognised Taiko ensembles in the world. What first inspired you to found the company?
In 1993, my mother found a large taiko drum stored in a shrine in our hometown. She encouraged me, as I had nothing in particular at the time, to try performing with it at a local festival. I didn’t intend to start a company, but that moment became the beginning of YAMATO.
Taiko is both deeply physical and deeply musical. What do you think about the relationship between body and sound in your performances?
YAMATO’s music is often described as “music of the body.” It is not just rhythm—the sound and the movement of the body become one. Rather than simply listening, we want the audience to feel the energy of the body itself.
The physical demands of Taiko performance are extraordinary. What does daily practice look like for your performers?
We begin each day with a 10-kilometer run through the countryside of Asuka. Then we train our bodies like athletes, followed by intensive practice on the drums. We train 8 to 10 hours every day to refine both body and sound.
What have you learned about leadership through directing a group like Yamato?
What matters most is not technique, but sharing one vision. Our members come from different backgrounds, so it is essential to keep communicating a clear and unwavering purpose. That is what truly unites the group.
Yamato tours internationally and reaches audiences across the world. What does it mean to share this tradition globally?
We are not simply preserving tradition—we are expressing the energy of people living today. We travel the world, sharing energy and receiving it in return. Creating this ongoing exchange is the true meaning of what we do.
What do you hope people feel when they leave a Yamato performance?
I hope people leave feeling, “I’m glad I came. I feel energized… and a little exhausted.”