Talk about drumming up interest in music: one talented ensemble from Japan arrives in High Wycombe next week promising to do just that.
Known as Yamato, the 20-strong company, which has toured the world since appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival ten years ago, will showcase Shin-On, a series of original pieces played on traditional Wadaiko drums.
Shin-On means "heartbeat" and is more than an appropriate name for the show, explains 25-year-old performer Gen Hidaka.
"We believe the sound of the taiko is like the sound of a heartbeat and it expresses the same power," says Gen, who is originally from Kyoto.
"When you are still in your mother's womb, you constantly hear her heartbeat and you always remember that. With our drums, we try to express that memory and that energy."
The performers use a myriad of drums that range from the tiny hand-held Uchiwa Daiko to the giant Odaiko made from a 400-year-old tree.
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But if you are concerned the sound produced may be too loud, think again. These instruments are as graceful as they are powerful.
Gen, who joined Yamato two years ago, explains: "The sound doesn't hurt your ears, because it's a sound you hear in your body. I actually think in many ways the sound of the taiko is quite therapeutic."
"When you come to one of our shows, you experience the sound with your whole body."
Gen Hidaka
That said, the company still has to train hard to meet the physical demands of the performance, which also includes some awe-inspiring acrobatics.
"Every day we have the same routine," says Gen. "We wake up, we go running and then we do some weight training. Then we travel to our next venue and straight away start practising until the performance. It's a very, very tight schedule."
As they say, practice makes perfect and with Yamato this certainly seems to be the case. Since being founded in 1993 by Masa Ogawa, the company has enjoyed huge popularity, having played to more than two million people in 30 countries.
"When you come to one of our shows, you experience the sound with your whole body," adds Gen. "And that helps you really feel the energy of our performance."
Yamato Drummers arrive at Wycombe Swan on Saturday, April 19, 7.30pm. Details: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk
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