Interviews

1. Taiko as a family tradition

2. Obon and the community

3. Taiko from the old days

4. Taiko as a family activity

5. Participation in community events

6. The multicultural perspective

7. Focus on peace

8. Mothers and Taiko

Kay Fukumoto

(b.1960) Third-generation taiko drummer, leader of Maui Taiko

Taiko as a family tradition

Taiko, originally for me when I first got involved with it, it was fun and something my family did. So, it was just a given that we would become involved. I never really thought of it as a tradition at that time. And in fact, my husband brought it up when we were dating, and he recognized that I had such a commitment during the summer months to taiko and involvement in it that he brought it up once. And he said, “There’s this tradition that you see to continue in your family.” And I kind of thought about, and I thought, “I guess.” I never really thought about it as a tradition.

And I was then very grateful to him because he has really embraced, not only having joined and learning taiko, but making a commitment to it and seeing that the group continues. Of course, now having our son being committed to it also is pretty special. So, as you progress in your taiko experiences, the meaning of taiko and what it brings to you personally becomes different as time goes on. And I’ve noticed that in our players as well.

drum families taiko traditions

Date: July 9, 2004

Location: Hawaii, US

Interviewer: Art Hansen, Sojin Kim

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

Interviewee Bio

Kay Fukumoto, of Maui Taiko, continues a multi-generational family tradition of playing taiko at local, annual Obon festivals that began with her grandfather and great-grandfather and now includes her husband and son. Though the Maui Taiko group was formed officially in 1996, it has been operating informally on Maui, Hawaii for over 100 years.

In 1970, at the age of ten, Kay was the first girl to be allowed to play the taiko at an Obon festival on the island of Maui. She now leads Maui Taiko, which plays at 16 different temples during the Obon festival season. In 2001, she coordinated a trip for the group to perform taiko in Fukushima and Hiroshima, Japan. (July 9, 2004)