The visual and hearing impaired to perform Taiko on the 25th, celebrating the 5 year anniversary of Kanagawa's local disabled assistance center/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202060008/

February 6, 2012

Members train on Japanese style taiko drums=At the Kaminoki Center of the Kanagawa District in Yokohama City

On the 25th, the wakuwakuwa-ku group (Japanese site) of the local disabled assistance center for the hearing and visually impaired (In Tanmachi, Kanagawa ward, Yokohama city) will perform at an event celebrating the location’s 5 years of activity. It will be held in the Isogo Public Meeting Hall of Yokohama city's Isogo District. "Wishing to offer entertainment to families and people of the area," members of the center are encouraged to spend every day in training, as they’re scheduled to perform Japanese taiko for the first time.

"Let's decide on the next pose to train," a lecturer signaled in sign language to the facility staff, as thirteen participants held a taiko stick sideways in their right hand, with their left hands stretched upwards. Training began near the end of December of last year, the first experience in hitting a Taiko drum for the members. "Being taught to "Take in the rhythm of the drums" while having no sense of hearing was bewildering for beginners," said Center Director Okada Kyoshi (58), looking back at the experience.

Each day, much time was spent training. Feeling the striking of the drum against the skin of their hands, those who couldn't hear could still sense the rhythm. Pressing their taiko sticks against a towel suspended in the air, those who couldn't see could judge the distance of their sticks in relation to the drums. "I want to learn faster," said a member, spending his time off training by himself. As he was smiling, Horie Shouichi (Age 59) said "Completing the song with everybody was fun." Performing the opening solo is Mihori Akio (Age 65) who said "Personally. I would like for many people to see our rendition of Hare Butai (A classic Japanese song).

The event takes place from 1:30PM until 3:30PM. The Taiko performance starts at about 2:20PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance for 1500 yen or 1800 yen on the day of the performance. For questions, the Wakuwakuwa-ku group can be reached at 045(313)1134.

Original text:

神奈川区の地域作業所が５周年で25日イベント、視覚障害者ら太鼓/横浜

2012年2月6日

和太鼓を練習するメンバー＝横浜市神奈川区の市神之木地区センター

視覚・聴覚障害のある人のための地域作業所「わくわくわーく」（横浜市神奈川区反町）が25日、開所５周年を記念したイベントを横浜市磯子区の磯子公会堂で開催する。「支えてくれた家族や地域の人々を楽しませたい」と初めて和太鼓の演奏を披露する予定で、メンバーは日々練習に励んでいる。

「次は決めポーズの練習をしましょう」。作業所のスタッフらが講師の言葉を手話などで伝えると、通所する13人はばちを持った右手を横に、左手を上に上げる。練習は昨年12月下旬から始めた。メンバーにとって、太鼓をたたくことは初体験。「『リズムを取ってたたく』と教えても、耳が聞こえないために最初は戸惑う人もいた」。岡田恭子所長（58）は振り返る。

練習は、多い時期でほぼ毎日。手で机をたたいてリズムを体に覚えさせ、タオルの上から机をたたいてばちさばきを身に付けた。「早く覚えたい」と休み時間に自主練習するメンバーもいた。堀江昭一さん（59）は「みんなで一つの曲を完成させるのが楽しみ」と笑顔を見せる。冒頭でソロで演奏する三堀明男さん（65）は「自分たちの晴れ舞台を多くの人に見てもらいたい」と話した。

イベントは午後１時半～３時半で、和太鼓の演奏は午後２時20分ごろ。チケットは前売りが１５００円、当日が１８００円。問い合わせはわくわくわーく電話０４５（３１３）１１３４。