Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Feel the power. Hear the thunder. Experience taiko — Japan’s earth-shaking drumming tradition.

From battlefield rhythms to breathtaking massed ensembles, taiko has evolved into one of the world’s most explosive performing arts. In this feature-length documentary, I take you inside Japan’s taiko heartlands to meet the masters, witness their craft, and feel the energy that moves a nation.

🥁 I’m Ruairi Glasheen, and I’m an Irish percussionist, composer and filmmaker based in London.

- More about me -
RuairiGlasheen.net/about
Instagram: instagram.com/ruairi_glasheen
Facebook: facebook.com/RuairiGlasheenMusic
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@ruairiglasheen

- My Courses -
How to Play Bodhrán: Begin Your Journey and Develop Your Practice: bodhran.teachable.com

- Press -
Irish Examiner: irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41335090.html
BBC Radio 4: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k17h
CNN: edition.cnn.com/2018/09/17/middleeast/young-iranians-revive-ancient-drumming-traditions/index.html
Times of India: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/connecting-with-kanjira/articleshow/80228301.cms

WAVES OF THUNDER
Featuring
（敬称略）
Seido Kobayashi
小林 正道
Mizuho Zako
座古 瑞穗
Corrine Quentin
Players from Oedo Sukeroku Taiko 大江助六太鼓
Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten 宮本卯之助商店
Hidemitsu Arai　新井 英光 （秩父郷土会）
Miki Grey　グレイ 美希
Kyoudokai Taiko Ireland
Nobuko Ijichi　伊地知 伸子
Experience Japan Taiko Team
Kaoly Asano 浅野香
GOCOO 和太皷バンド
TAWOO 和太皷タヲ
Emily Harada
Akitoshi Asano 浅野 昭利
Shunichiro Kamiya 神谷俊一郎
Yui Kamiya 神谷唯
Matoi No Kai まといの会
Nobuto Takao 髙尾信都
Toshihiro Aoki 滄木寿広

Directed and Produced by
Ruairí Glasheen　ルーリー・グラシーン

Director of Photography
Waku Shoji　庄子 和玖 : instagram.com/wakushoji

Special Thanks
Keiko Iijima　飯島 桂子

Supported By
Daiwa Foundation : instagram.com/daiwafoundation