Nosuke Akiyama

Shishimai (Lion dance) and Taiko player with San Francisco Taiko Dojo.

Rediscovery of Japanese culture through taiko (Japanese) Identifies as Japanese, but home is San Francisco

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Nosuke Akiyama, a shin-issei, was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan. He came to the United States the same year that this country revised its immigration policy—abolishing the national origins quota system-- with the Immigration Act of 1965.

He has performed with San Francisco Taiko Dojo since its first public appearance at the 1968 Aki Matsuri. Initially participating on taiko, he is especially well known for his performance of shi-shi mai (lion dance). He currently works as a sales manager for Japan Food Corporation (JFC) International, but he continues to perform with S.F. Taiko Dojo and to teach shi-shi mai. (January 26, 2005)

culture taiko values identity