Interviews
Traditional taiko style
[Early] Taiko Dojo is totally Japanese style—typical. Old fashion. Old fashion. And Mr. Den Tagayasu who died, did for Ondekoza. He also contributed [to] taiko—popularized [it] internationally through Ondekoza and later Kodo, those vessels. He also said my style is very old fashion. I’m a fossil, fossil (laugh). That’s what he said. Not too many Japan taiko teacher do my style. So every time when I go to Japan, my students, their manners [are] better than the Japanese, original Japanese. They forgot, you know. I learn from the old Issei when I came to [U.S.]. Issei people, they come from the Meiji era. A very traditional way—manners, everything. Some Sanseis, Nisei, they are Americanized, but manners are very good.
Date: January 27, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Art Hansen, Sojin Kim
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.
Explore More Videos
Changing the taiko rhythm from Japanese to Afro-Cuban
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Friction between Sensei and Kinnara in defining taiko
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
American influences on Japanese taiko
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
Appreciating Kinnara Taiko's approach to taiko
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
A Japanese American gardening dance
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.
Feeling empowered by taiko
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Taiko as self-expression
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Diverse membership in San Jose Taiko
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Bringing Japanese American taiko to Japan
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
A “principally-based” taiko group in England creating a global taiko community
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Developing an original kata
(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.