Garyu is a percussion and performance group from Hiroshima, Japan,
founded in June of 2005.
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Garyu fuses wadaiko - traditional Japanese drums - with contemporary Western drums, to create a new style of music that moves beyond
conventional genres. Their motto is “the pursuit of original expression. ” The characters for Garyu read as “self” and “dragon.” Like a dragon trying to fly to the heavens, the members of Garyu work constantly to realize their own style of music. With these goals in mind, they make every hit on the drum count.
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                     Garyu’s beat begins when they cut the hide of the drums                      themselves. The group makes inventive, modern                      instruments using traditional methods. Their music,                      materials, costumes and the majority of their instruments                      are entirely original.
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                     Although Garyu’s music is influenced by a long-standing                      culture, it takes shape through modern expression. Their
inspiration comes from various wadaiko practices from around Japan, different world instruments, and above all, the nature around us today. When they play, they interlace the rich scenery and heritage of their country with the beats of wadaiko and Western drum.
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At first glance, Japanese and Western drums seem incompatible. But delve deeper, and you find that each contains unique elements that compliment and enhance one another. The members of Garyu challenge themselves
to bring together the best of both styles of drums and give you modern music with a strong beat and a sharp edge.

08 龍の淵 - Ryunofuchi-

Takashi Takeuchi