Los Angeles’ TaikoProject wins Best Team Prize in Tokyo Taiko Contest

Members of TaikoProject of Los Angeles, in front row, and judges of the 4th Tokyo International Taiko Contest, in back row, pose for the memorial photo of TaikoProject’s first prize. (Photo by Yoko Ito of Mellins Production)

(Cultural News, November 2005)

   Los Angeles’ TaikoProject won the best team prize of adult performing group category in the 4th Annual Tokyo International Contest on Oct. 16 at Olympic Youth Center in the Shibuya district of Tokyo.

   TaikoProject was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles for preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances. Currently the taiko team consists of Bryan Yamami, Jen Baik, Courtney Deguchi, Julia Kato, Yuta Kato, Charles Kellogg, Bryton Yamada, Yuri Yoshida, and Masato Baba.

    TaikoProject competed among 12 finalists out of 65 applicants in the adult performing group category. Contestants played a compulsory piece, Beat/Essence II, composed by Maki Ishii, and one their original piece. TaikoProject performed Omiyage composed by Los Angeles taiko player Shoji Kameda.   

   The other winners and contestants of the adult group are: Maikiryu Daiko, Okinawa, the second winner; Sosaku Daiko Shimafukuro, Hokkaido, the third winner; Shoen Daiko, Okinawa; Hanako, Tokyo; Kenmu Kannagawa Daiko, Saitama; Shoou Kintoki Daiko, Okayama; Gohoku Ichiban Kaze, Kochi; Wadaiko Dojo Dondoko, Tokyo; Wadaiko Otogi, Aichi, Wadaoko Daigen Gumi, Tokyo; Sanuki Kokubunji Taiko Hozonkai, Kagawa.         

    In O-daiko solo category, the winners were: Art Lee, Nagano, the first prize; Mitsuaki Sugawara, Tokyo, the second prize; Ryuji Ise, Fukui, the third prize. 50 soloists made their entries to the contest.

   Among 21 entries in youth performing group category, the best team prize was won by Sanuki Kokubunji Kodomo Daiko Katsuun, Kagawa prefecture.

   The Tokyo International Taiko Contest was sponsored by Tokyo Shimbun newspaper in Tokyo and Asano Institute of Taiko Culture in Ishikawa prefecture.