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The song Kasumi was composed by Yamazaki-sensei of Kasumi Taiko. The word kasumi means mist or fog in Japanese.
Nen Daiko member Christopher Arnold learned the song when he was studying with Kasumi Taiko in Fukui-ken, Japan. He taught it to Nen Daiko when returning to the US. This piece was written about a legend regarding Maruoka castle, located in Sakai City in Fukui-ken (Prefecture). Maruoka Castle is also known as “Kasumi-ga-jou”, or “Mist castle”. This mist served as a powerful ally when being attacked, for it obscured the castle from view, thus preventing enemies from successfully attacking it. According to Japanese legend, an invading army besieged the castle when there was only a small garrison left to protect it. To fool the invaders into thinking the defending force was greater than it really was, the defending force gathered all the taiko and started playing as loudly and as spiritedly as they could. Blinded by the mist but hearing the massed drumming and yelling, the invading army quickly withdrew, believing they were facing a superior force within, thus saving the castle. |
Kasumi at the Smithsonian American Art Gallery, April 2016, photo by Bruce Guthrie
When playing Kasumi, Nen Daiko members aim to look very fierce. We play as though our lives depend on sounding loud!
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This video is from our Obon festival in July 2015 - thanks to the White River Bon Odori Summer Festival for sharing on Facebook!
Come to a performance to see it performed in-person!
Come to a performance to see it performed in-person!
At the Cherry Blossom Family Festival, March 2017 - Photo by Bruce Guthrie
Cherry Blossom sake tasting event, September 2015
At the National Theater, 2008
At the Freedom Walk, 2016, Photo by Bruce Hollywood
At the Freedom Walk, 2016, Photo by Bruce Hollywood
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At the Cherry Blossom Family Festival, March 2017 - Photo by Bruce Guthrie
Cherry Blossom sake tasting event, September 2015
At the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, 2010
At the Freedom Walk, 2016, Photo by Bruce Hollywood
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Header photo by Bruce Guthrie at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, April 2016