The history of Taiko (太鼓), the Japanese drum, probably dates back to the 6th century after its importation from neighboring countries such as China. Adoption during ceremonies in Buddhist temples, and later in Kabuki and No theater has allowed its expansion and diversification throughout the archipelago.
I created my YouTube channel in 2007, at about the same time as I started this website. At the time, the need was to promote the activities of my dojo in Dublin via some video of courses and seminars. I quickly picked up a taste in videography and sought to learn more. It is however only after my first stay at the Aikikai that I started to diversify subjects, alternating videos about Aikido and those about Japan. Gradually, the audience grew and more and more people have subscribed.
Shinsengumi are one of the most notorious armed forces in Japan. Their characteristic blue and white haori is easily recognizable among all other armies. Countless TV and cinema adaptations have been made of their story, most notably for westerners, in the movies Gohatto (litt.: Taboo) and the more recent When The Last Sword Is Drawn that deals with the end of Shinsengumi. In the manga world, several character of the famous Rurouni Kenshin are members of the Shinsengumi.
Asakusa is a district located in the Tokyo district of Taitō. It is part of the historical low city of Edo and harbors most notably the Buddhist sanctuary of Senso-ji, which is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon.
I had been contacted a while ago by a Taiwanese team of journalists who desired to shoot a documentary on Japan's road to recovery since the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011. They were planing to broadcast it to celebrate the first year since the disaster. During their research, they had come across an article I had written a few days after the earthquake hit, at a time many of us were waiting to see how the situation would turn out, and what we should do in the foreseeable future.
Official website of Guillaume Erard, author, instructor and videographer permanent resident of Japan - 6th Dan Aikido Shihan from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo / 5th Dan Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu Kyoshi from the Shikoku Hombu Dojo.
