Basic Information
buddhist | ||
consensus | ||
social |
Background Information
Group's Mission and Motivation
To play taiko with a Buddhist attitude and to just enjoy taiko playing for oneself and others.
Group History
Describe how, where, and why the ensemble was founded. What was its inspiration?
The Buddhist Church of Florin, in Sacramento, CA. has a vital and dynamic taiko group that began in 1991 as part of a children summer program. The program was popular that it expanded almost immediately, and is now a year-round, program. Presently, eight teens form the core of the group and have composed many of their own songs.
With several transitions in age, the group’s name changed from the original Kodomo (meaning Children) Taiko to its present name of Florin Hok-kyo Daiko. In keeping with the Buddhist link to taiko, the name; Hok-kyo; was chosen as it means Dharma Bridge, or bridge to truth.
In Buddhism, the ego, or self, is no more or less important than all life. Therefore, the drummer, the drum and the sound are equal with the listener. By practicing and performing as a group, a wider understanding of life and its joys develops along with the perfection of rhythm and form. It becomes a place of shared oneness.
Performances, Recordings, Publications
Performances
List a selection of your regular performance venues (for example, Denver Sakura Matsuri, Seabrook obon, business conventions, Manzanar Pilgrimage, Maui Marathon, etc.)
Pacific Rim Street Festival, Buddhist Church of Florin Obon, Natomas Race for Life
Signature Works
Please include title, composer, date of composition, special reason(s) for composition, and what the work represents to the group.
"Onami" written by Florin Hok-kyo Daiko. Title means "big wave" and the sounds and movements to this composition reflect the sounds and action seen in waves.