Taiko: A Mirror of Japanese Arts

The taiko, Japan’s most popular instrument, holds a fascinating history intertwined with the nation itself. First appearing in the 5th century at the Imperial court with Gagaku music, the taiko evolved through the centuries into multiple forms, becoming an essential partner to Noh and Kabuki theater as well as Buddhist ceremonies, before transforming, after World War II, into the stage drum we know today.

Maïa Aboueleze will trace the instrument’s history and, through it, the story of Japanese arts. She’ll then focus her talk on the different styles that exist, their diversity and similarities. Special attention will be given to the Sukeroku style, with its unique corporeal and aesthetic approach, its learning method without sheet music or metronome, and its close connection to Noh theater and the concept of Ma. The whole experience will be punctuated by live demonstrations and musical examples.

An actress and author, Maïa Aboueleze is also a taïkoka specializing in the Sukeroku style. After receiving the Vocatio grant in 2011, she trained in Tokyo under Seido Kobayashi, founder of the Sukeroku style.

Since then, she has continued developing her taiko projects: traditional taiko (in ensemble), contemporary taiko (collaborations with violin, piano, electronic music, theater…). She also regularly teaches through workshops. Her book “Le ballet des retardataires” (Intervalles, 2019) chronicles her turbulent journey through the world of traditional taiko schools.

The “yoik”: Personal Chants from the European Arctic

It was once said that the Sámi were “the only people who do not sing.” Yet in the far north of Europe lives a vocal tradition unlike any other: the yoik. More than a song in the conventional sense, a yoik is a short, often wordless melody that evokes a person, an animal, a place, or a cherished memory. In a culture shaped by reindeer herding and a nomadic way of life, every individual, child or adult, has their own melody, a sonic reflection of their identity.

Rooted in ancient times and carrying traces of shamanic practice, the yoik is also a living tradition, woven into everyday Sámi life. It may be sung while walking, by the fire, or simply to bring someone or something close. Today, the yoik resonates not only in intimate settings but also on stage, where it shines as a moving and powerful art form.

On this evening, Stéphane Aubinet, Doctor of Humanities and researcher at the University of Oslo, will guide you into this fascinating world. His internationally acclaimed studies on Sámi singing and lullabies across cultures shed light on the evocative power of melodies. With his insight and passion, the yoik emerges as more than music: a way of knowing, remembering, and feeling, captured in sound.