1.September (Wed) Germany, Mannheim – 2nd Day

We will practice until the show starts! After making some subtle shifts in the lighting last night, we are aiming for a perfect show tonight! A perfect show… it’s easy to say, but we’ve had around 2200 public performances and to be honest, there is not one of them where we could say, “Today was a perfect show”. After the performance we are always thinking, “we should have done this differently,” or “next time we need more of this,” or “let’s make it even better next time!” Perhaps we are being greedy, but we always want to strive to be better and better! We’ll keep trying!

  
2.September (Thu) Germany, Mannheim –3rd Day



 

It’s our last day in Mannheim. For tonight’s dinner, we’ve ordered take-out from a restaurant called “Sushi Bar Tokyo” right near the main train station in Mannheim. When we went there to order, the man working there asked us, “Are you Yamato?”
“That’s right,” we answered.
“I was at yesterday’s concert. I really enjoyed myself,” he replied.
When the delivery arrived, he had even included some extras for free. The sushi was delicious. Thanks for a good meal.

  
3.September (Friday) Baden Baden, First Day

This morning we boarded a bus in Mannheim and spent an hour and a half traveling to Baden Baden, where we went straight to the theater, set up and perform. There is a large Yamato poster in front of the theater. We must take a picture!
  
4.September (Saturday) Baden Baden, Second Day
Today we have two performances at 4 PM and 8 PM. Two concerts in one day takes an intense toll on one’s endurance. But, even though we should have been fatigued for the second show, our bodies felt more flexible than expected. Perhaps our first performance warmed up our bodies, making it possible to move more smoothly. The human body sure is extraordinary…
  
5.September (Sunday) Baden Baden, Third Day

 
After our morning run today, we made new sticks outside. After shaving them down, we sand them until they are nice and smooth, and lay them out in the sun. Perfect! Today we will use these sticks to produce a good sound!
  
6.September (Monday) Moving Day
We are on our way to the last stop of our European tour, the Circus Krone in Munich. This is our fourth time here. On the wall of the break room for artists and staff at this venue there are many signatures from different performers. Yamato members signed in 2003 and 2004. We’re looking forward to meeting those signatures again.
  
7.September (Tuesday) Munich, First Day

We are at Circus Krone. It is actually a circus venue. Normally the performers are elephants and lions and so on. We can feel the power of these animals simply by being in the same place they perform. We hope to convey a similar strength and presence in our performance!

  
8.September (Wednesday) Munich, Second Day


 

Today, Siegfried, of Siegfried and Roy, who used white tigers in their magic show, came to see our performance. He performed in Las Vegas for 45 years. When Yamato was in Las Vegas we wanted to see his show, but just when we were about to purchase tickets, there was a big accident on the set and the show was canceled. It was a really popular show in Las Vegas. Although he is no longer doing stage performances, he still has the 53 white tigers that were on the stage with him as pets. He seems to have an even stronger presence than the white tigers. Maybe that’s because… who knows… perhaps it’s just the air that a major star exudes. Even though we are stage performers just like him, we still felt insignificant in the presence of someone so famous. Anyhow, it’s a bit presumptuous to compare ourselves to him just yet…For the time being, we are glad to have met him and honored that he came to see the show. Thank you very much.

  
9.September (Thursday) Munich, Third Day

This morning we did something a bit different. We went to a go-kart track. We all got in go-karts and raced around the track. It was refreshing! From the afternoon we go to the theater and get ready for the performance with a renewed feeling. We perform the sound and lighting checks with a feeling of excitement. I hope many people will enjoy the show again this evening. We’ll play with all are might to show the appeal of taiko!  
10.September (Friday) Munich, Fourth Day

At the Circus Krone, the guests not only applaud with their hands, but stomp their feet as well. Since this is not common in Japan, the first time we heard it on a European tour, we were startled. “What is that? An Earthquake?” But now, when we here that sound, we recognize that the audience is enjoying themselves and it gives us more energy. Once again, today, the sound of stomping feet reverberated around the venue and another successful concert was brought to an end. Three more shows and the Yamato 2010 European Tour will be at an end.  
11.September (Saturday) Munich, Fifth Day

Today we have performances at 4 and 8 PM. It’s two performances, but today we feel like we could do three. We gave two spirited performances and for the evening, we gave three encores! It was so much fun, our exhaustion seemed to just disappear. We were very happy.
  
12.September (Sunday) Munich, Last Day

Today’s concert is the last of the Yamato 2010 European Tour! We received a standing ovation and felt the floor shake under the stomping feet. It was a successful end to our tour. We are thankful that everything ended well. A special thanks to our staff and all the audiences!  
13.September (Monday) Back to Japan

On the way home after a long tour, what are Yamato members thinking about? I don’t even need to ask because I already know… “What shall I eat when I get home…?” I want to eat udon. When I get home, I’ll have udon!

  
22.September (Wednesday) Back in Japan

Yamato is now back in Japan. Today is the Mid-Autumn Harvest. Yes, and it’s a full moon. On this day in Japan, we have the tradition of eating rice dumplings while looking at the full moon. Unfortunately it is cloudy and we cannot see the moon, but eating the home-made dumplings of Yamato members we can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Japan once again.