Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1371/

Performing in Japan

Being a musician is not an easy life.  It’s hard.  You either make it or you don’t.

When I do performances in Japan, I don’t speak English, you know. I talk to the audience in Japanese. And right now, I’m known more for telling jokes than playing the ukulele. [laughs]

[Play music]


Hawaii music musical instruments musicians ukulele United States

Date: August 2012

Location: Hawai`i, US

Interviewer: John Esaki

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

Interviewee Bio

78-years-old, is known by ukulele fans in Japan and around the world as "Ohta-san." Ohta-san is a master ukulele player who learned to play the instrument from his mother in the pre-World War II era in Honolulu. He played a major role in popularizing the ukulele in the 1960s and 70s, expanding the repertoire of the instrument beyond Hawai`ian songs to include international pop and jazz. In his interview, Ohta-san vividly demonstrates his stylistic development by playing excerpts from songs that were significant to his career. (June 2014)

Richard Kosaki
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Kosaki,Richard

Change in attitudes after World War II

(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i

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Seiichi Tanaka
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Tanaka,Seiichi

Soukou Bayashi: Dedicated to the Issei (Japanese)

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

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Etsuo Hongo
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Hongo,Etsuo

First taiko performance in the United States (Japanese)

(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California

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Etsuo Hongo
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Hongo,Etsuo

Taiko's sounds as Japanese cultural tradition (Japanese)

(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California

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Etsuo Hongo
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Hongo,Etsuo

Promoting group identity through taiko contests (Japanese)

(1949 - 2019) Taiko player. Founded five taiko groups in Southern California

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Richard Kosaki
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Kosaki,Richard

Working at a first aid station on Oahu after December 7

(b. 1924) Political scientist, educator, and administrator from Hawai`i

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Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

Changing the taiko rhythm from Japanese to Afro-Cuban

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

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Seiichi Tanaka
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Tanaka,Seiichi

Meeting Kinnara Taiko

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

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Seiichi Tanaka
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Tanaka,Seiichi

Happi coats in taiko

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

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Seiichi Tanaka
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Tanaka,Seiichi

Traditional taiko style

(b.1943) Shin-issei grand master of taiko; founded San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968.

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Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

American influences on Japanese taiko

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

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Mike Shinoda
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Shinoda,Mike

Role as an artist

(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist

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Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

Taiko is a reflection of where you live

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

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Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

Playing traditional gagaku while creating an identity

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

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PJ Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,PJ

Taiko as self-expression

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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