Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/235/

Buying violin (Japanese)

(Japanese) In Japan, when I was 18, in Osaka, out of my 24-yen-a-month salary, I put out a whole 20 yen and bought it. On the boat, I would play it by myself—kee-ko, kee-ko. When I was just messing around, people would come around and clap. I would be playing, kee-ko, kee-ko. Gradually, I became able to play it. 

[Playing violine]


music violins

Date: October 14 & 17, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Eriko Yamamoto

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.

Interviewee Bio

Kazuo Funai, 104-year-old pioneer Issei from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, owned and operated a market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. In 1941, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Funai had made arrangements to move to Tokyo to set up a business enterprise. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was unable to travel to Japan and was financially ruined. In addition, he and his family were incarcerated in an American concentration camp. He survived these obstacles to later start several successful businesses.

Mr. Funai passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the age of 105. (August 16, 2005)

Mike Shinoda
en
ja
es
pt
Shinoda,Mike

Politics in music

(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist

en
ja
es
pt
Mike Shinoda
en
ja
es
pt
Shinoda,Mike

Role as an artist

(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

Changing the taiko rhythm from Japanese to Afro-Cuban

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

American influences on Japanese taiko

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

Appreciating Kinnara Taiko's approach to taiko

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

A Japanese American gardening dance

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

Taiko is a reflection of where you live

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Mas Kodani
en
ja
es
pt
Kodani,Mas

Playing traditional gagaku while creating an identity

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
PJ Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,PJ

Taiko as self-expression

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

en
ja
es
pt
PJ Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,PJ

Bringing Japanese American taiko to Japan

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

en
ja
es
pt
PJ Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,PJ

A “principally-based” taiko group in England creating a global taiko community

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

en
ja
es
pt
Roy Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,Roy

Introducing Taiko in Vancouver

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Roy Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,Roy

The philosophy of playing Taiko

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Roy Hirabayashi
en
ja
es
pt
Hirabayashi,Roy

Defining a Taiko player

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

en
ja
es
pt
Johnny Mori
en
ja
es
pt
Mori,Johnny

Decision between becoming a minister or musician

(b. 1949) Musician and arts educator and adminstrator.

en
ja
es
pt