Shidara is a professional creative Japanese drumming group based in Okumikawa,
Aichi Prefecture - a treasure trove of traditional performing arts.
By putting down roots in the community, they connect with the foundation of living culture,
inheriting tradition while creating new cultural expressions.
Shortly after the team's formation, we were fortunate to borrow the former Higashisonome Elementary School in Toei Town,
Kitashitara District, Aichi Prefecture.
There we established our practice space and living quarters, and members relocated to become residents of Toei Town.
This led us to participate in various local events, including festivals.
Today, we annually perform the “Shidaramai” at the nationally designated
Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, “Hanamatsuri (Higashisonome).”
As bearers of authentic traditional culture, Shidara gained direct insight into the sentiments of those preserving the festival,
receiving vital inspiration for their stage creations.
“Why do people preserve festivals and strive to pass them on to the future?”
We feel that folk festivals, as traditional culture, play the most vital role in creating regional identity.
This conviction forms the core of Shidara's stage creations.
The Etymology of Shidara
From the deity “Shidara Shin,”
widely revered among farmers during the Heian period.
The songs sung while clapping hands during shrine rituals are called “Shidara songs,”
and they remain as children's games
involving hand-clapping and singing throughout Japan.
The origin of the modern word “fushidara” is also said to stem from calling those skilled at drumming ʻshidaraʼ and those unskilled “fushidara.”
It also carries the meaning of people with shared aspirations gathering to accomplish a single goal.
Hanamatsuri
This traditional performing art was introduced to the Tenryu River basin during the Muromachi
and Kamakura periods by mountain priests and ascetic practitioners from Kumano.
In the depths of winter in Okumikawa,
it invites the myriad deities to descend,
dancing through the night to pray for abundant harvests and freedom from illness and disaster.
The History of Shidara
- 1989
- Formed in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture
- 1990
- Relocated headquarters to Higashisonome,
Toei Town, Kitashitara District, Aichi Prefecture - 1994
- The Shidaramai was dedicated at Hanamatsuri,
a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Higashisonomi, Toei Town. - 1999
- Performed at the St. Olav Festival and the Nordland Music Festival (Norway)
- 2002
- Performed with “The Brazz Brothers” at Dalhalla (Sweden) and the Molde Jazz Festival (Norway)
First place champions at First International Tokyo Taiko Contest - 2003
- Korea Tour with Kkocdooseh, Korean drum group, and at Incheon World Folk Art Festival, Korea
Performed at the North American Taiko Conference's “2003 TAIKO JAM” - 2004
- Performed at Matto International Taiko Extasia 2004 “The Power of Taiko”
- 2005
- Performed numerous times at EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN
- 2006
- Korea tour with Salmonori drum group, Kkocdooseh, including the city festival at Shifun City, Korea
“America Tour 2006” held performances and workshops in Los Angeles and other locations.
“SAIRAI” Tours in Japan - 2007
- Korea tour with Salmonori drum group, Kkocdooseh, including the city festival at Shifun City, Korea
- 2008
- “America Tour 2008” held performances and workshops in Los Angeles and other locations.
“Syunrei no Sato” Tours in Japan - 2009
- “Tokoshie no Michi” Shidara 20th Anniversary Tours in Japan
- 2010
- Performed the “America Tour 2010” across the United States
Performed at the Shanghai World Expo - 2011
- “Sanshisuimei” Tours in Japan
- 2012
- “Ao no Daichi” Tours in Japan
- 2015
- Aichi Prefecture Arts and Culture Award - Cultural Award Recipient
- 2016
- “Inochi no Chikara” Tours in Japan
- 2017
- “IBUKI” Tours in Japan
- 2018
- 30th Anniversary Commemorative Performances in Toyokawa,Toyohashi,and Nagoya
- 2019
- “Tasuki” Tours in Japan
U.S. Tour (California, Arizona) - 2021
- “Inochi no Chikara” Tours in Japan
- 2022
- “Kyoso” Tours in Japan
“Satouta” Tours in Japan - 2024
- “Tasuki” Tours in Japan
“Hikarisasu” Tours in Japan - 2025
- “Omoyai” Tours in Japan
“Ongaeshi” Tours in Japan