Echoes of Islands: Taiko drumming from Miyake, Sado, Hachijo and Singapore

HIBIKIYA promotes Japanese culture through vibrant performances of taiko, dance and traditional arts. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024, the group received the Foreign Minister's Commendation for its contributions. Their repertoire spans traditional and contemporary works, with appearances at Sakura Matsuri, F1 Singapore, JAS Summer Festival, Esplanade’s A Tapestry of Sacred Music, Chingay Parade and more. With a network across Asia and beyond, HIBIKIYA continues to inspire audiences with their passion for Japanese culture.

Singapore MIYAKEKAI is one of HIBIKYA’s subgroups, and is the very first Miyake group outside Japan officially formed under MIYAKEJIMA GEINODOSHIKAI. They have been actively promoting Miyake taiko in Singapore.

Kazuhiro Tsumura carries forward the rich performing arts traditions of Miyake Island, Japan. As a key member of Miyake Geinou Doushikai, he preserves and evolves Miyake taiko, a powerful and physically demanding style of Japanese drumming. Performing alongside his father and brothers, they form the world’s only taiko ensemble of a father and three sons. Together, they expand Miyake taiko through teaching, performances and international workshops across Asia, Australia and the United States. Through various international collaborations and performances, the Tsumura family has helped establish Miyake taiko on the global stage, cementing its cultural legacy.

Kenta Nakagome joined Kodo, one of the world’s most renowned professional taiko troupes, in 2007 after training at the Kodo Apprentice Centre. An orthodox taiko player, he is celebrated for his powerful, energetic performances and commanding solos in works such as O-daiko and Yatai-bayashi. Beyond the stage, he composes, directs and embraces cross-genre collaborations, with artists including Seitaro Kuroda, Tatsuya Nakamura, Sunao Isaji and Meiko Kaji. He also performs with fellow Kodo member Yuta Sumiyoshi as Kentataku Yutataku, a quicksilver improv unit that has released three albums to date. In recent years, he has taken on teaching roles, nurturing Kodo apprentices and students worldwide.

Chieko Kojima, a founding member of Kodo, is celebrated for blending taiko and dance into a uniquely expressive style. Known for her vivid portrayal of the goddess Ameno-uzume in Amaterasu (2006), she became a Kodo Distinguished Member in 2012 and represented her country as a Japan Cultural Envoy from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. She has since toured globally as a performer, collaborator and teacher and has broadened her talents to include directing and photography. Her signature work, Hana Hachijo, showcases her deep cultural roots and powerful, feminine taiko drumming style. She continues to inspire taiko communities worldwide through her extensive 40-year career of directing, cultural ambassadorships and landmark productions that highlight her valued contribution to Japanese performing arts.