Taiko Lecture This is the story of Taiko Taiko is an art form that originated from Japan.

The legend has it that...

Taiko: Myth and History Once, at a time more distant than human memory, the storm god Susanowo-noMikoto left his home on the seas and began to ravage the land. His wild rages so upset his sister Ameterasu Ohmikami (the sun goddess) that she fled to a cave and, rolling a boulder over its entrance, vowed never to show herself again. The world fell into darkness and devils sprang from their hiding places to roam freely across the earth in its endless night. Knowing that all life was doomed without Ameterasu Ohmikami, the gods of heaven and earth gathered at the caves mouth. They reasoned. They begged. They threatened. At last, they tried to force the rock from the caves entrance but Ameterasu Ohmikami would not budge from her refuge. All creation seemed doomed. Until, Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, a small goddess with a face creased by age and laughter, made her way into the midst of the other gods and declared that she would coax Ameterasu from the cave. The mightier gods looked at the old woman and sneered. Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto smiled back at them, poured out a huge sake barrel, jumped on its head, and began a wild dance. The loud, hard, frenetic pounding of her feet made a sound unlike any ever heard before. The rhythm was so lively, so infectious that soon the other gods, caught in Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikotos revelry, began to dance and sing as well. Music filled the earth and the celebration became so raucous that Ameterasu Ohmikami peeked out from her cave and, seeing the joyful faces, brought her light to the earth again. Thus, Ameterasu Ohmikamis light returned to earth, Susanowo-no-Mikoto was banished, and taiko music was born. So goes a variation of an old story from the Nihon Shoki, a chronicle from 7th and 8th century A.D. Japan. The story is pure myth. The truth of this myth is that taiko has the power to bring joy and expel anger. And, in accordance with Shumeis philosophy concerning art, it brings light into the world. However, the historical origins of taiko are less straightforward and hazier than the myth. Some claim that, because a drums sound is as fundamental to us as our own heartbeat, the first musical instruments used by cultures throughout the world generally are percussive. If so, the precursors of taiko drums could go back at least 2000 or 3000 years deep into Japans prehistory. As with most drumming traditions with origins in primitive societies, taiko celebrated almost all aspects of life from birth to death. Taiko drums roused the troops and intimidated the enemy on battlefields, were paraded through village streets to call people to joyous festivals, and were played at rice planting ceremonies where their thunderous tones scared away insects and awakened the spirits of rain. In some Buddhist traditions, its rumbling sound represented the voice of Buddha and in Shinto shrines it accompanied prayers to heaven. Not only did the sound of taiko transcend the borders between the human and the divine, but could also fix firm boundaries here on earth in ancient Japan, the distance

one could hear a taiko drum from the villages temple determined a towns borders. Obviously, it benefited a town to have a large drum.

The taiko has been a significant tool in the history of Japan. Introduced from China in the Kamakura Period [1192-1333 A.D.], taiko has had a number of uses.Originally Taiko was used for battles, Buddhist ceremonies, Kabuki (japanese dramatic theatre), and most importantly in Natsu-matsuri, Summer Festivals It was used as musical accompaniment in Noh and Kabuki plays during the Edo period [1603-1867 A.D.]. Kate's part* But, the most Taiko you will see today is called Kumi Daiko is a post war phenomenon which was born in Showa 26 (1951). Daihachi Oguchi, who created the kumi-daiko style, is given much of the credit for the current taiko boom. Oguchi was a jazz drummer, who stumbled upon an old piece of taiko music. Deciding to perform the old music for the Osuwa shrine, Oguchi "jazzed it up" as he arranged it. Coming from a jazz background, he wondered why taiko were never played together, and broke with tradition by assembling a taiko drum ensemble. 1968 that Seiichi Tanaka brought the exciting kumi-daiko style to the States. In 1968, Seiichi Tanaka formed the first North American taiko group, the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. He and his group went on to inspire many, if not most, of the taiko groups throughout American and Canada. Taiko had two division in America Seiichi Tanaka's Taiko traditional format Hierarchical top down sempai kohai You are doing Tanaka style more close to Japan Repretoire from Japan Buddhist church in America Kinara Taiko of Los Angeles Came from Obon Folk Dances Eclectic searching for style

1969 as well Rev. Masao Kodani learn to mimicism Asian American Identity?

The time had tense between the two group Drumming vs. Taiko? Respect of tradition? Is it Japanese? Like many music tradition that you guys experience in this class do not stay in a single country or area. Instead, a music experience moves around the world. Taiko is one of such tradition. But What is Taiko? Certain terms in Taiko and Taiko Community But what exist in a Taiko Community the team spirit the ability to help one another The Taiko family Taiko Community exist in collegiate level this is an growing art form Taiko Conference/ drum gathering of Nisei festivals created by JACCC increase amount of Taiko group Its an Asian American Identity WWII cause lost of identity in America The Japanese American Concentration camp Americanization of Japanese America Nissei experienced the racism blend in to society? The positive Identity Empowerment A women's art form Empowerment that cuts through Tiffany Tamaribuchi winner of Otaiko competition in Japan

 used to not for Women A philosophy roots in buddhism its about the movement and performance How does Taiko relate to your everyday life? A new tradition that consistently create itself. Batchi these drum sticks, made from oak, Taiko- are these drums, they are made from wine barrels (an American tradition), even though there are different variations of them, but they are mainly from wine barrels with an animal hide stretch over it. Here I want to stress a note that, the people who are craftsman of Taiko are usually from the group of people what Japanese called bruraku which means the untouchable. They are considered unclean due to their profession to handle corpses of animal. There is an emphasis that these bruraku are not meant to touch the drum, but merely can only make it. Taiko players supposedly blessed beings are to be separated from impurities. To counter against the kind of racism, the creation of group Ikari which consists of only Burakumin members. In America, however, the drums are many times made by the players themselves. OoDaiko- Biggest drums Chu Daiko medium size barrel Shime- tied highest pitch drums Kanne- the iron beater Fue- Japanese vertical flute can be heard across Taikos. Kata- The stance, different from each group martial arts term Chi- the energy kakegoe- the shout or cheers Issei- first generation from Japan Niseei second Generation Groups to know!!

There are groups all over the states. San Jose Taiko San Francisco Taiko Dojo Senryu Taiko at UCR Taiko Mix Taiko Project Taiko Center of Los Angeles Tao My contact information shih-wei Willie Wu taikocenter.com swu015@ucr.edu classes at UCR is Tuesdays from 11:10 to 1:00 pm Rev Tom Kurai