Japanese American National Museum, "Wadaiko in America," July 14, 2005 to January 8, 2006

Date: July 14, 2005 – Jan. 8, 2006

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Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, California, July 14, 2005 to January 8, 2006 The special exhibition "Big Drum: Taiko in the United States" began on July 14 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles! Taiko is a traditional Japanese culture. However, this special exhibition introduces American Taiko , which is a little different from Japanese Taiko, which has developed independently since its introduction to America in the 1960s, using various exhibits such as videos, photographs, and handmade Taiko. It was in the 1960s that the group Taiko performance, which began in Japan after the war, was introduced to the Japanese American community in America. By the early 1970s, only three groups had been formed in America, and they were working steadily, mainly in the Japanese American communities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose. At first, there were few groups or teachers to follow, so they learned Taiko by watching others, and even made their own Taiko and costumes (Pappi, etc.), and eventually they even composed their own songs. Taiko gradually became accepted outside the Japanese American community, and there are now more than 250 taiko groups active throughout North America. The exhibit features interviews with famous taiko players, highlights of performances by famous taiko groups, and how to make a Japanese taiko, allowing visitors to see taiko as a new form of performance art. There are many things to see, such as an early taiko drum made from an old wine barrel and furniture clasps, a tower used in the postwar Obon festival held at Senshin Buddhist Church, and a 6-foot circumference, 450-pound giant taiko drum made by Victor Fukuhara. The exhibit also has a fun corner where visitors can experience playing taiko, including playable small drums, happi coats worn at festivals, and the PlayStation game "Taiko no Tatsujin Taiko Drum Master." On weekend afternoons, visitors can listen to professional taiko performances on a demonstration tower. Please come and see the special exhibit "Japanese Taiko in America," which can be enjoyed by both adults and children! For more information, see Big Drum: Taiko in the United States (English only).

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