Basic Information

Organizational Affiliation		buddhist
Name of Affiliated Organization		Vista Buddhist Temple
Leadership Structure		consensus
Primary Purpose of Group		social

Background Information

Group's Mission and Motivation

The members of Shokenji Taiko serve as ambassadors to the Vista Buddhist Temple. We share Japanese-American Buddhist Taiko at community, cultural and educational events.

Group History
Describe how, where, and why the ensemble was founded. What was its inspiration?

Reverend Arthur Takemoto, the resident minister at the time, introduced taiko to the members of the Vista Buddhist Temple. Through this activity the members were given the opportunity to interact amongst one another as well as gain a greater understanding of the Buddhist teachings and develop a deeper understanding of awareness of themselves.

List of Current Members

Stanley Arai
Tomoko Arai
Diane Barron
Donna Boone
Gail Furuya
Hiro Ikezi
Sandy Muryasz
Rodney Nishimoto
Ford Omori
Terri Omori
Satomi Schupp
Atsuko Taylor
Sally Yasukochi
June York
Wendie Yumori

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.)

VBT Hanamatsuri Bazaar
VBT Obon Festival
Buddhist Temple of San Diego Bazaar
Buddhist Temple of San Diego Obon
Japanese Friendship Garden Natsu Matsuri
Temecula Children's Matsuri
San Diego Sister City events
San Diego Marathon
Mira Costa College Japan Day
Imperial Valley JACL
Carlsbad Artsplash

Non-Taiko Collaborators
List a selection of non-taiko players or groups that have collaborated with the ensemble.

Tayama Koto Ensemble

Publications
List a selection of articles, master's theses, dissertations, or other publications written about the ensemble.

San Diego CityFolk: A Guide to the Folk and Traditional
Performing Arts in San Diego (2002)

Signature Works
Please include title, composer, date of composition, special reason(s) for composition, and what the work represents to the group.

"Shokenji: Temple of Right View"
First piece written by the group dedicated to the Vista
Buddhist Temple.

"Sanze" (1999) Written by Gail Furuya & Wendie Yumori

"Rokuban" (1999) Written by Wendie Yumori