Basic Information
Midwest Buddhist Temple | ||
consensus |
Background Information
Group's Mission and Motivation
A part of the cultural programs of the Midwest Buddhist Temple, a Hompa Hongwanji temple (part of the Buddhist Churches of America) which was started with the help of the Kinnara Taiko Group of the Senshin Buddhist Temple.
Structure and Philosophy
Describe the ensemble's organizational structure and philosophy, including leadership structure, membership policy, and instructional process.
Our group is similar to the Kinnara Taiko Group in philosophy and reasons for playing Taiko.
We are a self taught group with elected officers like a practice leader, business manager, treasurer and historian.
Group History
Describe how, where, and why the ensemble was founded. What was its inspiration?
After inviting the Kinnara Taiko Group to perform at the Ginza Holiday which is the annual fund raising activity of the Midwest Buddhist Temple. A group of young adults formed the group and started making barrel taiko in the fall of 1977.
Over the years, we have been assisted and/or had workshops with Kinnara Taiko, Soh Daiko, Tom Kurai, San Jose Taiko, Kogen Taiko, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Kodo and many others.
And we have been fortunate to have the opportunity to have inspired or assisted in the formation of other Taiko groups in the midwest/eastern areas: Ho Daiko (Seabrook, NJ), Soh Daiko (NY) and Kogen Taiko (MN).
List of Founding Members
Rev. Ron Miyamura, Elaine Miyamura, Victor Miyata, Sandy Miyata, Gayle Kataoka, Jerry Matsumoto, Carl Ichikawa and Donna Endo.
List of Current Members
Rev. Ron MIyamura, Elaine Miyamura, Tracey Okayama, Heather (Ichishita) Nobuhata, Kristen (Ichishita) Park, Ryan Toguri, and Lynn Harada