Drummers hope to beat path to Japan

TAIKO drumming has been considered a form of Zen — a sentiment that Rosny College teacher Andrew Short couldn’t agree with more.

Mr Short is hoping to lead a group of Rosny students to Japan in October to gain vital insights into Taiko drumming, which consists of a range of Japanese percussion instruments.

The Rosny College Kizuna Taiko Drumming Group, which includes 14 members, is praying they can raise the $60,000 needed to fly to Japan.

Their 10-day trip will include drumming masterclasses in Tokyo and learning about the Taiko of music from another similar group in Hobart’s sister city Yaizu.

Mr Short said he was applying for a Federal Government grant to get to Japan, with fundraising also underway. He will know by July if the grant, which would also go towards their own drums, has been successful.

“It will be one hell of a trip, many haven’t even left the city or the state before,” he said.

Mr Short said the drums provided a kind of healing process for those involved.

“Taiko is regarded as a form of Zen,” he said.

“When we are playing together it seems like all our hearts are beating in-sync.

“We are all unified when we’re playing.”

The drumming class has been on offer at Rosny College for four years and the 2018 group took to the Elizabeth Mall for Harmony Week earlier this month.