Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/881/

Taiko Community

I got to know other musicians up in the Bay Area—Russel Baba and other people who were involved with Tanaka Sensei. And as a result, I ended up getting to know Tanaka Sensei, too. Actually, when he came to LA for a little gig, he would call me up, and I would go play fue with him. There was a closeness in that community, especially early when there weren’t that many players around. Yeah. Very close connection between the communities in Los Angeles—New York actually—and Los Angeles and San Francisco that I always had a place to stay somewhere in San Francisco. Or if I went to New York, somebody would open up their apartment or home on very short notice as a kind of sharing.


communities drum music taiko

Date: December 10, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Art Hansen, Sojin Kim

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

Interviewee Bio

George Abe (b. 1944), renowned taiko and flute performer, was born at Manzanar concentration camp. He was one year old when his family relocated to Los Angeles, California. His mother was kibei, born in the city of Orange, California, moved to Japan when she was about nine years old, and returned to Los Angeles at about 26 years of age. His father was an Issei.

George grew up among artists and musicians, often attending biwa (lute) recitals with his mother. He played multiple instruments in his school band, including the clarinet, saxophone and oboe. As an adult, George remained fascinated with music, and learned to play the shakuhachi and fue, traditional Japanese flute-like instruments.

George was a founding member of Kinnara Taiko, a taiko group based at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, and remains associated with them today. Kinnara Taiko was one of the first taiko groups to form in North America, second only to Sensei Seichi Tanaka’s San Francisco Taiko Dojo. George believes in the influential power of art and the energizing effects of taiko. He uses his art to bring cultural, spiritual and community awareness to others. (December 10, 2004)

Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

Appreciating Kinnara Taiko's approach to taiko

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

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Mas Kodani
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Kodani,Mas

A Japanese American gardening dance

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

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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

Feeling empowered by taiko

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose 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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PJ Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,PJ

Diverse membership in San Jose Taiko

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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PJ Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,PJ

Bringing Japanese American taiko to Japan

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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PJ Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,PJ

A “principally-based” taiko group in England creating a global taiko community

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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Byron Glaser
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Glaser,Byron

Growing up in a Japanese American community

Illustrator and designer

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Roy Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,Roy

Developing an original kata

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

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Roy Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,Roy

Introducing Taiko in Vancouver

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

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Roy Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,Roy

The philosophy of playing Taiko

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

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Roy Hirabayashi
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Hirabayashi,Roy

Defining a Taiko player

(b.1951) Co-founder and managing director of San Jose Taiko.

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

The Kona Island community

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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