Cyril Takayama - the magician

While most of us interested in magic are greatly aware of magicians like the great Houdini, David Copperfield, David Blaine, and etc., most of us do not know who Cyril Takayama is.


I first came to know about him through local programs on Japanese TV. His magics are extremely down to earth and simply awesome, which quickly made me see the difference between his brand of magic and the more conventional ones that we grew up into.

Instead of using special props on stage to entice us, what is called 'stage magic', Cyril does 'street magic'. Hardly the type that bring your own props and head down to the main street to perform, he goes around empty handed, using items that he finds along the streets. It makes the magic more real not only by reducing our suspicions of the props used but the close-up under-our-nose performance that will surely leave anyone mesmerized and gasping away.

Just imagine as you watch him only a few inches apart, he 'takes out' a REAL burger with all the mustard from a poster on a street and eat it right in front of you. Or makes what appears to be only a picture of a pet bottle of water on a poster hanging inside a moving train drops down as real and then drinks the water. Amazing!

Here are some facts about Cyril:

Cyril Takayama (born 1973) is a Japanese American illusionist, born and raised in Hollywood, California. He is perhaps best known for his street magic performances in Japan. His father is of Okinawan descent, while his mother is French-Moroccan.

He was a member of T.H.E.M., which was a short-lived TV series. On the show, they were a gang of street magicians that set up various scenarios to lure unsuspecting targets. After the team bewildered their victims, they would reveal themselves to the target as one of T.H.E.M. The members of were: Cyril Takayama, Danny Cole, Enrico de la Vega, Lisa de la Vega, Chris Gongora, Michael Grasso, Thomas Meier, Jason Neistadt, Justin "Kredible" Willman

With performances in Japan & Korea, Cyril has been very active particularly in Japan. In 2005 and 2006, Cyril appeared in three "Super Street Magic Magazine" episodes, and four "Magic Revolution" episodes, which is broadcast on Fuji TV. The four episodes were broadcast on June 30, 2005, January 10, 2006, June 20, 2006 and January 23, 2007. In October 2006 he appeared in a 90 minute Korean magic special.

His street magics are not only awesome but highly valued and appreciated by his fans. They are of high quality and are way much difficult to perform than the once we get entertained on stage. As far as I know, none of his magics have ever been revealed. Apart from his skills, he has a character appealing to people and coupled with his well disposition makes him a fantastic personality in Japan specifically and in the world of magic generally.

Some external links:
Official site
Cyril Takayama at MySpace
Magic X
Magic Revolution website