Group History#
Arashido Taiko is a Toronto-based drumming group founded in 2007 to celebrate Japanese culture, have fun, and hit big drums! What started as a joyful creative outlet quickly grew into a community-driven group with a charitable mission. Entirely self-funded and volunteer-run, we donate all proceeds after expenses to charity—raising thousands for charities each year through performances and lessons. “Arashido” means The Way of the Storm—a name that reflects the powerful energy, passion, and precision we bring to every performance and practice. Our signature style is inspired by the form and focus of martial arts, blending powerful, controlled movements with thunderous rhythms. This fusion comes from our founder’s deep experience training in both taiko and martial arts in Japan, creating a performance that’s as visually striking as it is sonically powerful. We’ve performed at festivals drawing hundreds of thousands, recorded commercials for major brands, played concerts, and brought unforgettable energy to weddings and private events. Arashido Taiko is available for festivals, live shows, corporate events, team-building workshops, commercials, and private lessons. Book us and experience the storm!
Founding Inspiration#
We’re an all-volunteer taiko group that drums for fun and donates every dollar after expenses to charity—no outside funding, just the power of performances and lessons helping us raise thousands for charities each year!
Notable History#
- Performed multiple years at Toronto’s BuskerFest, both on the street and on the main stage at Yonge-Dundas Square
- Recorded a taiko track at Glenn Gould Studio for Bell’s Olympic campaign commercial
- Performed at the grand opening of Uniqlo’s first Canadian store at the Toronto Eaton Centre
- Collaborated with a renowned hip-hop artist to create a unique Taiko–Hip Hop fusion performance
- Hosted a taiko introduction and interactive quiz, followed by a live performance, at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, which was broadcast to all the children across the hospital
Future Goals and Values#
Continue to have fun and donate to charities
Performance Material Sources#
Original songs & songs from sister group in Japan
Taiko Community Mentors in the Group#
Erez vanHam: taiko skills, taiko reskinning, workshops, general administration
