NOVA & HYUGA
Japan is an archipelago with an estimated number of islands ranging from 6,852 to 14,125. The four largest islands are Hokkaidō, Honshū, Shikoku and Kyūshū, which together account for 95% of the country’s land area. The archipelago extends over more than three thousand kilometers. Most of the islands are mountainous, sometimes volcanic. The highest peak in Japan, Mount Fuji is a volcano whose last eruption took place in 1707.
Japanese culture is influenced by that of China and Korea. But it is also distinct from them. Foreign cultural influences have historically occurred via Korea due to geographical proximity. The arrival of the Portuguese and later the Americans somewhat modified this cultural system. It was enriched.
The group «Nova & Hyuga» is one of the most famous Japanese percussion ensembles in the world. It is known for its powerful and modern shows, mixing tradition and innovation. Their performances feature a wide variety of Japanese drums, including the imposing "ōdaiko" (large drums) that can weigh several tens of kilograms, as well as snares and other traditional percussion.
The company is composed of young high-level players. Its members are either students in the higher cycle of music and dance or from a semi-professional group called 'Drum Nova'. They perform in various festivals in Japan and notably at national competitions.
They aim to promote Japanese culture through entertaining shows that challenge preconceived ideas about Japanese drums. They won, in 2022, the national championship of Taiko Festival Japan.
Their art tells a story, often symbolic, navigating between the ancestral and the contemporary, and crossing Japanese traditions with influences from around the world. The company is recognized for its virtuosity, its rhythmic power and its ability to captivate the audience through stunning visual and sound shows.
Japanese drums, called taiko, occupy a central place in Japanese musical culture. They exist in various shapes and sizes and are used both in traditional festivals and in modern shows. Taiko are often made of wood, with a tight skin, and can be played with chopsticks called 'bachi'. Some taiko allow to perform spectacular performances.
You will be moved when you hear taiko reasoning for the first time. The deep and powerful sound, the mesmerizing rhythm, the perfect coordination of the musicians and the way in which the whole body is involved in creating the sound will impress you.
You will understand that, while being an instrument, taiko is sometimes also thought as a form of meditation or dance. This is all the magic of the show of the company «Nova & Hyuga».
