Skip to main content

TAIKOPROJECT

Little Tokyo·Los Angeles, CA·USAest. 2000

Little Tokyo collective led by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba creating a distinctly American style of taiko. Community taiko ensembles typically train weekly on nagado-daiko and shime-daiko, perform at local festivals, and teach beginners through open workshops.

First American taiko group to win the Tokyo International Taiko Contest (2005); Mitsubishi Eclipse Super Bowl commercial.

Visit the group page

External page. Check current meetings, membership, and joining details directly with the group.

Same family

Other taiko drumming ensembles

Kodo
Sado Island (Kodo Village) · Japan · 1981

Professional Sado Island ensemble that defines modern kumi-daiko on the world stage, touring with the One Earth Tour since the 1980s.

Ondekoza
Sado Island (originally) / Tokyo · Japan · 1969

The seminal 'demon drum group' that launched the modern taiko ensemble tradition and trained the players who later formed Kodo. Community taiko ensembles typically train weekly on nagado-daiko and shime-daiko, perform at local festivals, and teach beginners through open workshops.

Yamato - The Drummers of Japan
Asuka-mura · Japan · 1993

Nara-based touring ensemble known for athletic choreography and a theatrical, full-evening concert format. Community taiko ensembles typically train weekly on nagado-daiko and shime-daiko, perform at local festivals, and teach beginners through open workshops.

Hono Daiko
Hakui · Japan · 1986

All-women professional ensemble whose fiery O-daiko playing helped open kumi-daiko to women as a profession. Community taiko ensembles typically train weekly on nagado-daiko and shime-daiko, perform at local festivals, and teach beginners through open workshops.

San Francisco Taiko Dojo
San Francisco, CA · USA · 1968

The original North American taiko dojo; trained generations of US players and seeded the Cherry Blossom Festival drum tradition. Community taiko ensembles typically train weekly on nagado-daiko and shime-daiko, perform at local festivals, and teach beginners through open workshops.

Kinnara Taiko
Los Angeles, CA · USA · 1969

Temple-based ensemble founded by Rev. Masao Kodani that established the do-it-yourself Buddhist taiko model copied by dozens of US temples.