( CNN ) What do you get when you combine Japanese culture , rock and musical theater ? Chaos . Or more precisely KAO=S -- a band of spellbinding musicians presenting vivid visual performances unlike anything you may have ever seen . Following the devastating tsunami in 2011 , the trio came together with the mission of creating something beautiful out of the turmoil . The result is an unusual musical style that blends the vocals and raw acoustic guitar of frontman Shuji Yamagiri with traditional Japanese instruments like the three-string Tsugaru-shamisen played by a musician known as Jack . The two instrumentalists are accompanied by powerful sword dancing from `` Lady Samurai , '' aka Kaori Kawabuchi . `` Music gives me imagination or inspiration by just listening to it . It 's like I tell a story by using my body , '' Kawabuchi says of dancing with a samurai sword known as a katana . `` I get an image from the sound by the ( band ) members under the conditions on that day , energy given by the audience , and the atmosphere . '' Kawabuchi 's energetic sword dancing is a fluid , swift selection of movements that translate the musicians ' deeply personal sound into a visual spectacle for the band 's growing international audience . Since their conception , the band has played several high-profile gigs outside of Japan , including at the venerated annual SXSW music and media festival in Austin , Texas . They 've also completed a tour of the United States as well as performed for fans at festivals in Germany and England . Band leader Yamagiri adds : `` A strength and characteristic of our band is , we have [ Kawabuchi ] between us , and through her movement , she expresses the feeling of sadness and delight that we try to express in our play , using her body . `` I think it makes it easier for an overseas audience to understand . She can deliver feminine delicacy and tenderness , and also intensity , which is even stronger than men . '' Watch the video to learn more about how KAO=S is turning their live gigs into a visually stimulating sensory experience .
KAO=S is a Japanese band formed in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami . Made up of three members , the band fuses Japanese culture with music . Performances include masks , kimonos and samurai sword dancing . The trio hope to create a new Japanese style by elevating their live performance .