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Image featuring text superimposed over a photo collage. Beats Breath. Nagata Shachu. Jiro Murayama (master bamboo flutist from Japan). To the right: Medium close-up of a Japanese man wearing a white fedora with a black band and a black shirt, holds a flute as he looks off to the right. To the left: An ensemble of Japanese taiko drummers performs on stage, featuring a drummer in the centre, wearing a loincloth, the light focused on him.
Image featuring text superimposed over a photo collage. Beats Breath. Nagata Shachu. Jiro Murayama (master bamboo flutist from Japan). To the right: Medium close-up of a Japanese man wearing a white fedora with a black band and a black shirt, holds a flute as he looks off to the right. To the left: An ensemble of Japanese taiko drummers performs on stage, featuring a drummer in the centre, wearing a loincloth, the light focused on him.

Percussion & flute: Percussion & flute:

Japanese Taiko drumming combines with shinobue (bamboo flute) to create powerful & soaring sounds.

Home Events Performance BEATS-BREATH: Nagata Shachu & Jiro Murayama

BEATS-BREATH: Nagata Shachu & Jiro Murayama

One night only – on Saturday, October 4, 2025 – Taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu kicks off their 28th season with BEATS-BREATH, an exciting collaborative concert with shinobue (bamboo flute) master Jiro Murayama at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Together, they’ll perform new compositions and traditional Japanese folk festival pieces.

Soaring melodies & spirited drumming

Nagata Shachu is thrilled to be welcoming back shinobue master Jiro Murayama direct from Japan, and to reunite again after their last concert together at Harbourfront Centre in 2016. BEATS-BREATH will include highlights such as a duet with Murayama on shinobue and Nagata Shachu member Kevin He on the shakuhachi (a vertically held bamboo flute); and a folk song performed by Nagata Shachu member Aki Takahashi on shamisen (a long-necked lute with three strings) and vocals, Murayama on shinobue and Kiyoshi Nagata on taiko. Read about the various instruments here.

BEATS-BREATH will feature Nagata Shachu founder Kiyoshi Nagata and ensemble members Aki Takahashi, Andrew Siu, Kevin He, Tatsuki Shimoda, Brian Liang, Eriko Murata and Sakura Ariga.

About Nagata Shachu

Toronto-based Nagata Shachu has enthralled audiences around the world with its mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, the ensemble’s principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko.

About Jiro Murayama

Jiro Murayama, who began his career with the renowned Kodo drummers in 1989, seamlessly crosses over between the modern and traditional. He currently remains as the only original member of Tokyo Dageki Dan, a professional taiko group in Tokyo formed in 1995. In addition to performing across Japan and internationally, Murayama has recorded several CDs and written many instructional books for the shinobue. His shinobue and taiko performance can be heard on FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 Original Soundtrack.

A Japanese man in traditional costume performs, playing a bamboo flute, surrounded by an ensemble of male and female Japanese taiko drummers, who sit or stand around him with their drums.

(Photo credits: Nagata Shachu & Jiro Murayama.)

 

Event details

Presented by: Nagata Shachu 

Type of event: music concert

Featured performers:

  • Nagata Shachu: Founder Kiyoshi Nagata, with ensemble members Aki Takahashi, Andrew Siu, Kevin He, Tatsuki Shimoda, Brian Liang, Eriko Murata & Sakura Ariga. Read about them here.
  • Jiro Murayama

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Start time: 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 90 minutes (no intermission)

Cost: All prices include HST.

  • Regular admission: C$50.00 – $60.00
  • Seniors & students: C$40.00 – $50.00

Location: The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8, Canada

Video: Watch Nagata Shachu perform.

Booking link: Book your tickets here. Accessible seats are available. For all ticketing inquiries, e-mail audienceservice@harbourfrontcentre.com

Contact details: Nagata Shachu; (416) 651-4227, taiko@nagatashachu.com, nagatashachu.com

 

Accessibility: Info here. Accessible seats are available. For all ticketing inquiries, e-mail audienceservice@harbourfrontcentre.com