Moving to a different beat - Taiko Experience

Today CIEE students had an energetic and high paced immersion in the Japanese art of drum performance called "Taiko". Students learned segments of a performance number, each segment growing in complexity while requiring a good ear and a sense of group cooperation to put together into a smashing crescendo.

The Japanese word for rhythm is "rizumu", and I think our students are slowly getting into the "rizumu" of life Japanese-style as they learn the ins and outs of getting around in Kyoto and navigating life in a new culture.

The beat of life in each culture in our world tends to follow its own score, and jumping into a new culture does require some patience and willingness to emulate the rhythms of life around you. But approaching it all with a sense of energy and fearlessness definitely pays off and the students' wonderful performance of taiko was definitely music to our ears!