Zassō
Zassō is a taiko performance project that focuses on playing with our whole selves, perfect in our imperfections, right now, without conforming to any preconceptions of what the result will look and sound like, breaking barriers of audience perception, showing up in the most unexpected places, and reaching into our sense of purpose here on the earth, deeply rooted in the land.
Why Zassō?
Zassō performances are not like any other taiko show – we strive to collaborate with artists, being true to ourselves as we find time to create within the imperfections of life – what you see will always be raw, uncultivated and a bit wild. Just like us!
Taiko groups are sometimes named after natural beings or elements, often with majesty and grace. But Zassō is the Japanese word for weeds. Found at the edges, the strength, resilience, tenacity and adventurous nature of weeds spoke to me as I considered my own taiko journey. After everything I had experienced, and years of not having the hours to put to technical practice, or the funds to travel to study as I once did, I expected my drive for taiko to dwindle and eventually disappear. But the opposite happened…there it stayed, in my heart, growing, regardless of formal training and high-profile visibility in the community.
As I listened-in, I felt as if I was re-wilding a little, returning evermore to my true nature, the innate creativity we all have as human beings. And so, as with weeds, I felt it was best to appreciate this for what it was and let it grow, and found others who felt the same passion for creating, performing, exploring together, as perfectly imperfect as we are. After all, the difference between a flower and a weed is only judgement.
Interested in joining the Zassō project?
If this sounds like something you would like to join, and you have performance/arts/creative expression experience, and this calls to your heart, email me with a few words about who you are, and what you are inspired by – [email protected], or call me – 07853 423415.
The logistics of getting creative and un-bound individuals together in one place at the same time can be tricky, but we’re resilient, bright and tenacious, and we will make it happen.