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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/235/

Buying violin (Japanese)

(Japanese) In Japan, when I was 18, in Osaka, out of my 24-yen-a-month salary, I put out a whole 20 yen and bought it. On the boat, I would play it by myself—kee-ko, kee-ko. When I was just messing around, people would come around and clap. I would be playing, kee-ko, kee-ko. Gradually, I became able to play it. 

[Playing violine]


music violins

Date: October 14 & 17, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Eriko Yamamoto

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

Interviewee Bio

Kazuo Funai, 104-year-old pioneer Issei from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, owned and operated a market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. In 1941, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Funai had made arrangements to move to Tokyo to set up a business enterprise. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was unable to travel to Japan and was financially ruined. In addition, he and his family were incarcerated in an American concentration camp. He survived these obstacles to later start several successful businesses.

Mr. Funai passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the age of 105. (August 16, 2005)

Mike Shinoda
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Mike Shinoda

Politics in music

(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist

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Mike Shinoda
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Mike Shinoda

Role as an artist

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Mas Kodani
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Mas Kodani

Changing the taiko rhythm from Japanese to Afro-Cuban

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

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Mas Kodani
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Mas Kodani

American influences on Japanese taiko

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

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Mas Kodani
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Mas Kodani

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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Mas Kodani

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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Mas Kodani

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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Mas Kodani

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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PJ Hirabayashi

Taiko as self-expression

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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PJ Hirabayashi
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PJ Hirabayashi

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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PJ Hirabayashi

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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Roy Hirabayashi
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Roy Hirabayashi

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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Roy Hirabayashi

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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Roy Hirabayashi

Defining a Taiko player

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

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Johnny Mori
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Johnny Mori

Decision between becoming a minister or musician

(b. 1949) Musician and arts educator and adminstrator.

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