Interviews
Playing 3 shows a night in Waikiki
Yeah, I just played, like tried to build a show, an exciting show of musical talent, you know, one after another. Try to cram an hour’s music time into like forty-five minutes or something.
We used to play like three shows a night, I think, at the Ilikai Hotel and they had a cover charge, $2.50 or something. And that place was lined up! That’s when things were good in the late 60’s. Locals came out to Waikiki, and they had a line all the way down to the street.
[Play music]
Date: August 2012
Location: Hawai`i, US
Interviewer: John Esaki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Change in attitudes after World War II
(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i
Soukou Bayashi: Dedicated to the Issei (Japanese)
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.
First taiko performance in the United States (Japanese)
(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California
Taiko's sounds as Japanese cultural tradition (Japanese)
(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California
Promoting group identity through taiko contests (Japanese)
(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California
Working at a first aid station on Oahu after December 7
(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i
Changing the taiko rhythm from Japanese to Afro-Cuban
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Meeting Kinnara Taiko
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.
Happi coats in taiko
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.
Traditional taiko style
(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.
American influences on Japanese taiko
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Taiko is a reflection of where you live
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Playing traditional gagaku while creating an identity
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Taiko as self-expression
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko