Group History#
What started out as a beginner workshop with Uzume Taiko (Vancouver) in the Spring of 2022, turned into a conversation with Rumi Asano and Janice (Ouchi) Buick about starting a Taiko group in Vernon!
Next was two other beginner taiko workshops with Yamabiko (Kelowna) and Raiden (Kamloops). Conversations with both groups about what they would recommend to start a group as well as with Carley Okamura. Thanks to all of these people, we had many ideas on how to move forward.
By the time fall came around and Uzume returned for a concert, we were ready to gather like-minded people to collaborate on starting a Vernon Taiko group. A sign up sheet was available for those that were interested and after the concert, Uzume showed us how to make taiko drums out of garbage cans.
The rest of the fall/winter was spent meeting with taiko interested folks to explore what we all wanted our group to look like. Values, focus, fee structure……and for many of us, to have fun!
Vernon Taiko was launched in January 2022 and through many grants, workshops, practices and the amazing experience of going to the NATC Seattle Conference we now have 7 regular members and 6 real (not garbage can) taiko drums. We are forever grateful to the taiko community for all the support and look forward to learning, performing, sharing Japanese Culture and having fun for many years to come! Domo Arigato Gozaimashita!
Founding Inspiration#
Japanese culture, inclusion, fun
Notable History#
- Keiro Kai for the Vernon Japanese Cultural Society (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Armstrong Cultural event (2024, 2025)
- Raiden Taiko 20 (20th Anniversary Concert 2024)
- Nikkei Bonspiel (2023)
- Vernon Japanese Film Festival (2024)
Future Goals and Values#
We are currently working on planning for the next 5 years. The first 3 years was learning, fund raising, aquiring drums, learning Japanese culture, performing and having fun.
Performance Material Sources#
Via Raiden Taiko (Kamloops), Yamabiko Taiko (Kelowna), Art Lee (Tokara Taiko, Japan), NATC Conference 2024 in Seattle