Cyril Takayama is a French/Japanese magician/illsuionist. I've been a fan of his for about 4 years now. For one reason: he is very very very good.
from wikipedia:
Cyril Takayama was born and raised in Hollywood, California. His father is a native Ryukyuan from Okinawa prefecture, while his mother is Moroccan–French, both of whom were beauticians. Cyril Takayama had an eventful yet troubled upbringing. A recent profile in Magic (“The Magazine for Magicians”) describes him being expelled from school at 15 and then dropping out of school at the age of 16. Cyril's father, upset at his behavioral problems, sent him to Japan. While traveling he got off the plane during a stopover in Tokyo and never got back on. Cyril wound up busking on the streets of Shinjuku, and at times had so little money that he could afford just one meal a day. He attempted to contact Japan magic circles though they viewed him as an outsider. At the age of 17, Cyril met a rich Japanese businessman who saw his talent and employed him to work in his hotel paying him for each short range performance 4 to 5 days a week. For two years Cyril performed as a magician for weddings and parties. Within 2 months Cyril created his own stage magic show. Ito, impressed at Cyril's progress, sent Cyril to magic assemblies and competitions. In 1991, Cyril's dedication began to pay off. He was awarded a top prize by magic's international governing body, the International Federation of Magic Societies, as well in 1994. In 1992, he joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians. In 2001, he and his partner Jane won the Golden Lion Award at Siegfried and Roy’s World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. He is a member of the short-lived television series T.H.E.M.(2004). In 2007 he won first place in The Magic Woods Awards, Best Magician Category
So I figured I would post some of his magic tricks for people who aren't aware of him. While he talks in Japanese, he mixes in quite a lot of english, and should be pretty understandable.
This is the first video I saw on some obscure ftp site many years ago. It was one of the first times I saw a magic trick and had no immediate explanation.
Next is the one I posted recently in the youtube thread. I don't think a lot of people saw it. If you only want to watch one video, watch this. You've all seen (pretty primitive) version of card through glass by people like chris angel. This is the same basic concept, but believe me it is on an entirely different level.
I will post two more:
This one is a fairly traditional coin magic illusion. But the execution and complexity of it is absolutely stunning.
The last is a bit of stage magic:
Discuss how you think its done, debate who is the best magician, make fun of (or defend) chris angel, I don't really care. Just watch these videos.
I remember he got runner up to Chris Angel 2-3 years ago to be crowned best magician of the year.
His coin and glass tricks are fucking amazing. There's a video of him on an Asian talk show where he almost scares someone into shock with his moving pips. Let me go look for it..
I saw David Copperfield and it was an absolutely brilliant show. I caught a ball and went onstage as a witness for this trick:
I was very, very close to the platform and I have ZERO idea how it was performed. I could clearly see under it and behind it and just barely see over it (was dark in the shadow of the curtain). One of the most amazing things I've seen in my life.
On May 16 2009 13:03 Gliche wrote: I remember he got runner up to Chris Angel 2-3 years ago to be crowned best magician of the year.
His coin and glass tricks are fucking amazing. There's a video of him on an Asian talk show where he almost scares someone into shock with his moving pips. Let me go look for it..
From the academy of magical arts in hollywood. Where I will be going when i head up to Blizzcon. Open invite for anyone in L.A. area 21 yrs or older and can get a suit tie etc for formal wear.
Just to go have dinner drinks and see alot of amazing magic.To enter you have to say "open says me" to a book shelf and it opens up into a lounge/bar area.Being able to get in and experince the place and the magic is for many a once in a lifetime opportunity.
In order to even get in you must either get invites from a member or be a member.I can take up to 10 people including myself at one time.Anyone that is slightly intrested in magic/cardcheating etc should save a few bills and join me.
I would hate to know how to do these tricks because it would take away from the magic from them. Magicians sacrifice their own enjoyment of their art to make sure that we can still enjoy it.
On May 17 2009 08:55 p3numbra wrote: I would hate to know how to do these tricks because it would take away from the magic from them. Magicians sacrifice their own enjoyment of their art to make sure that we can still enjoy it.
It is true that you can become jaded, but the feeling that you got when you first were floored by a trick is , for alot of us what you want to bring to other people.When we've given someone the joy and wonderment that we felt the first time we saw a "real" trick.It makes it worth it.
I wish I put more into my magic practice than I do.Balloon animals,magic,Broodwar,Its one of those for a few months and then I dropthat one and start doing one of the other 3 , rinse and repeat.I need more dedication.
EPT
