Some families return to Branson year after year and sometimes they see the same show each time. One of the favorite shows that people return to Branson to see is Shoji Tabuchi. Shoji has been performing in Branson for 25 years, and each year has been even better than the last.

Said to be a “master violinist”, Shoji Tabuchi performs alongside his wife Dorothy and daughter Christina. Joining them onstage is an entire cast of professional musicians. Shoji painstakingly chose each of the members of his band. Each of the members of the band have at least one degree in music and has a repertoire that includes everything from country to classical. At each show, Shoji takes the time to introduce all of the musicians, showing his relationship with his band members.

The dance company at the Shoji Tabuchi Theater is a project of Shoji’s wife Dorothy. Together with the help of a renowned choreographer, Dorothy has helped to build one of the best dance companies in the world. Many hours of rehearsal have gone into the dance company’s routines and shows.

Recently, Shoji has added a cultural twist to his show. Part of Shoji’s Japanese culture has followed him to Branson in taiko drumming. The hope is that this art form will “recreate the origin of the spirit of the Japanese people.” Taiko drums were originally used to intimidate enemies on the battlefield and were also a symbol of the rural community. The limits of villages were not defined by geography but by “the furthest reach of the drums’ sound.” Taiko performances today originated in post-war Japan as a means to preserve the tradition of taiko drumming.

In Shoji’s show, there are 25 drums of three different sizes. The largest is called odaiko, and was hand-crafted by Asano Taiko of Japan. The smallest, called shime-daiko, have the highest pitch. The mid-size drums, nagado-daiko, were custom made by David Leong of Rolling Thunder Taiko. Marco Leinhard has helped the cast of Shoji’s show learn the technique of taiko drumming since adding it to the show.

Families take part in this wonderful variety of music each and every year in Branson. Some even visit again and again, stopping by to see Shoji’s fantastic show every time. So for your next vacation, make sure to visit Shoji Tabuchi in Branson. To get tickets, call the Thousand Hills Concierge at 1-877-262-0430. Don’t miss out on some of the best entertainment in Branson.

Shoji is an avid golfer and a frequent visitor to Thousand Hills Golf Course. See the interview below with Dan Davis or, watch the full video where Dan teaches Shoji and viewers to Improve Your Putting.

Visit www.shoji.com for more information on Shoji Tabuchi.