Born: Los Angeles, California
Japanese Taiko Drumming - Master

"Taiko is my whole life, and everything I do revolves around it…I feel a responsibility as a bearer of the tradition. I would like to see traditions passed on in this country for pupils who are interested...to be able to play traditional music the way it is supposed to be..at the same time I feel it is important to innovate on that tradition and be creative with it...."

Taiko drumming has become very popular in Hawai‘i, and many young people are now studying this musical form. Drums add rhythm and excitement to the live music played during the Kabuki and Noh theater forms. A typical drum group for live performances features an hourglass shaped drum (tsuzumi), the large drum (odaiko), the flute (fue), and sometimes a shamisen, and several singers. It takes many years of practice to develop the skills necessary to play these drums! You can also hear these drums in late summer when people honor their ancestors with the lively music and dance of the Obon celebration!