Photo credit: Vondelpark, Zapdelight

Taiko’s origin is in debate, but most scholars agree that the style was developed between 1,600-2,000 years ago. Traditionally, taiko was performed during wars and Buddhist ceremonies, but today’s taiko has a modern twist, often including contemporary influences like jazz, rock and hip hop into their performances. This transition began after World War II in no small part to jazz drummer, Oguchi Daihachi.American-based taiko group, TAIKO PROJECT exemplifies how these influences harmoniously blend together:

To learn this fusion of rhythm and dance, there are four fundamentals to practice: grip, stance, strike, rhythm. Below is a brief introduction to the art of taiko.

1. Grip – With the bachi (stick) laying on the ground, How you hold your bachi is very important. Your grip needs to be loose enough that the bachi can move, but firm enough that you don’t drop it. To get the right grip, lay your bachi on the ground in front of you, then pick them up again with your fingers together and your first finger and thumb forming a V. Grasp the bachi at about a quarter of the way up. Wrap your fingers around the bachi and push your first finger a little higher up the stick – this helps with your control. Always make sure the V is on top. When you strike you should be able to hear the bachi hitting against your palm; don’t make a fist.

2. Stance – Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be bent, to allow you to move about as you play. Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed and down – remember that they shouldn’t rise when you strike. Your arms should follow a gentle curve with your bachi ending up resting above the centre of the drum. One analogy is holding a basket of rice.  Finally, stand with a comfortable distance between you and the drum, not too much of a stretch and not too cramped. You should be just able to reach the middle.

3. Strike – The tip of your bachi should roughly describe a circle, or an inverted teardrop, the narrow end being at the drumskin and the round end being the apex of your strike. Your elbow should not go backwards and forwards at all, only up and down, with the circular movement coming only from your forearm.

As with many things, it’s all in the wrist. Keep it loose as your bachi comes down, then tighten it quickly as you hit the drum. To use another analogy, it’s like gently flicking paint off a paintbrush. Most of the energy used in striking the drum is in the form of lifting the bachi and the final flick at the end. Don’t force the bachi down – let gravity do the work. You can then use the bounce off the drum to get the bachi back up for the next strike. By keeping this in mind, you use less energy and can drum for longer without getting too tired. The final point to remember is don’t leave the tip of your bachi on the drumskin after you hit. This deadens the sound, and then what’s the point of playing great big drums?

4. Basic rhythms – There are three basic rhythms that I’ll mention here: san doko, doko doko and don ko.  These words are kuchi-showa, a phonetic system used to describe the sound made by the drum.

San doko – This is the rhythm most commonly played on shime, a small drum used to count time. San is a crotchet beat, or quarter beat, and doko is two quavers, or eighth beats. In other words, there are two doko beats for one san beat. It is played as right right-left.

Doko doko – Two quaver or eighth notes, played in progression.

Don ko – A “swung” beat. The don is given heavier weighting than the ko. This is used for songs with a jazzier feel.

Now that you have the basics, start planning your taiko lesson!

Photo credits: Women playing taiko

Taiko how to’s from Wikihow

Photo credits: Amsterdam International Fashion Week, Peter Stigter; Portland Fashion Week, badlyricpolice; Tokyo Fashion Show, dat

Photo credits: Portland, Tokyo, Amsterdam

Fostering a culture of coffee drinking, poetry writing, and literary appreciation is the world’s largest independent book store, Powell’s Book Store. This Portland icon is conveniently located for locals and visitors alike to peruse miles of books themes from rock legend biographies to graphic novels, vegan cooking, international travel and rare books. Take a virtual tour of Powell’s:

Amsterdam couldn’t bare to separate its best bookstores from its fashion district, so relax and enjoy a good read after a tiring day of shopping.

Whether you’re hopping on the next toei train for a day of marathon shopping or to make your next business meeting, it’s important to have some literature along for the ride. Luckily, Tokyo has an assortment of curbside bookstores to fill your every literary need from poetry to murder mysteries and anime.

1.  World Customs App – iPhone

Especially if you’re a business traveler, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local cultures and customs. The World Customs App provides a breakdown of key cultural tips right at your fingertips. And the best part? It’s free!

2.  Trip Journal – Android and iPhone

What was that great restaurant you went to that one night in that one place? In order to share your very best travel stories with your friends, it’s good to remember names and locations of the places you visited. The Trip Journal allows you to very easily document the names of locations, route your trip and share photos and tips with your friends and family.

3.  Gate Guru – iPhone

We’ve all been there. You barely make it through security with enough time to grab a bagel and get on the plane, but where do you go? If you’re not familiar with an airport, finding the perfect morning snack or quick dinner can try your patience, but happily Gate Guru removes the guessing game and keeps your patience (and blood pressure) in check. This location aware app will show you all the restaurants, clothing/tech/duty free stores and other amenities conveniently located in your departure terminal. So hold on to that patience and use the security line to find your next preferred foodie station.

4.  Zagat – Android, Blackberry and iPhone

One of the most trusted restaurant guides is not only available on iPhone and Blackberry but is making its way to Android this year as well. Zagat shares location, cost, ambiance, and reviews – a prized feature for dining in your foreign destination.

5.  Currency Converter – Palm

Not all of us are math whizzes who can easily calculate the exact conversion rate from dollars to euros, yen or rubles. Happily the Currency Converter is a quick solution, leaving you more time to decide between those two designer bags you’ve been eying.

6.  Transclick – Blackberry

With 16 languages programmed into Transclick, you’ll have a convenient translator right in your pocket or purse. Can’t find the proper train station? Break out that blackberry, submit your phrase and in minutes you’ll be one your way to your destination of choice.

7. Sit or Squat – iPhone

Laugh if you must that this made it to our top 7 list, but when you have to go, you have to go and it’s best to not stress when you’re looking for relief. This app not only informs you of the closest restrooms, but gives reviews of each location. Whether you’re looking for a quick solution or swank decor, Sit or Squat will help get you there.

Every year, the Dutch dress in their finest orange paraphernalia – the royal family colors – to celebrate the queen with song, dance, food, boating down the canals and local vendors. We’ve collected some favorite photos of the event and wonder: do you have your own photos or videos to share?

Photo credits: has_s, FaceMePLS, flabbergast_ed, has_s, has_s, ComunicaTI, Quantz, Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, Michell Zappa

Explore Amsterdam’s fascinating neighborhoods, or Tokyo’s peaceful parks and beautiful scenery. Delta takes you to the most destinations worldwide, including nonstop service to Amsterdam and Tokyo from Portland. Purchase on or before April 13, 2010 and save. To book your flight, click here.

Meet the Winners

Mike Donovan - Amsterdam

My Fiance’s One Wish

Her head on my arm
Flying non-stop is the best
Off to her homeland

My name is Mike Donovan and I have lived in many places across the United States and England. I am getting married to my wonderful fiancee, Keri Lenderink. Keri is a Dutch-American and has always wanted to travel to the Netherlands. We plan on using this trip as our honeymoon and are thrilled to be able to go on such a lovely trip. While there, I am hoping to help Keri connect with her family’s past, take a canal boat, and maybe even check out a brewery or two.

Raquel Benito – Tokyo

Restful Escape

eyes closed in Portland
eyes opened in Tokyo
non-stop dreams between

My name is Raquel Benito, and I grew up in Madrid, Spain before coming to the U.S. at age seven. I’ve always been an avid traveler, which is why I’m so excited to finally have a chance to visit Tokyo. My boyfriend Nick is coming along and we look forward to sampling everything from ramen to sushi to Yebisu and sake. If we can time it right we’d love to see the blossoming cherry trees. I hope to bring back some cool gadgets from the Akihabara district, take pictures with the Elvis impersonators in Harajuku, and hike around Mt. Fuji. Perhaps we’ll have time to sneak out of Tokyo on a high speed train and visit some of Japan’s more rural areas-Nikko for example-to see its magnificent temples and shrines. We’re both incredibly excited and thankful to hop on a nonstop flight from our humble little city here in Oregon and wake up across the world!

Photos by Tim Jewett and provided by the Port of Portland