YAMAMOTO, Miyagi Prefecture--Two South African drummers are touring elementary schools in northeastern Japan in a bid to lift spirits among children affected by the March 11 quake.
YAMAMOTO, Miyagi Prefecture--Two South African drummers are touring elementary schools in northeastern Japan in a bid to lift spirits among children affected by the March 11 quake.
The two musicians, both from South Africa, and a Japanese drummer have staged more than 30 workshops at elementary schools and other locations in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures since mid-May.
On June 29, they visited Yamashita Elementary School in Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture, where 126 pupils enjoyed the professional musicians' skills and got a chance to try out their own beats.
Drum Cafe Japan, a Sendai-based event company that gives training for company employees using African drums, is organizing the charity events. It says that interaction through drumming enhances team spirit and can be therapeutic.
Mariko Hoshiyama, chief executive officer of Drum Cafe Japan, said: "I believe drumming helps children who cannot live it up to release stress."