Arranged by the Embassy of Japan in Budapest and the Hungary-Japan Friendship Society, this final event of a series of programmes, organised on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Japanese-Hungarian diplomatic relations, will be a wadaiko (Japanese drum) concert featuring three taiko (drum) groups: Bonten, Kiyo Kito Taiko and the Taiko Drum Ensemble of the Japanese School of Budapest.
Led by Masataka Kobayashi, Bonten is a professional drum troupe which gives concerts around the world...: they've performed in Italy, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Taiwan and the United States. The group debuted in 2000, and all seven of its members were trained at Masataka Kobayashi's taiko institute, the Mirai Taiko Dojo. Audiences everywhere are enthralled by their high level of technical knowledge, energy and expressive power. While respecting the tradition of taiko drumming, their performances also incorporate the Japanese flute, the koto (a Japanese zither) and the piano. The chief message they wish to convey to their audiences is the beauty of life.
Kiyo Kito Taiko, Hungary's first Japanese drum troupe, was formed in 2000. Since then, they've given numerous successful concerts in Hungary and abroad, including in Croatia, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Romania. The group is led by Dávid Laár, while its artistic director Keijiro Takaku is its only Japanese member.