Group History#
Formed in 2016, Onibana Taiko are three veterans of Vancouver’s Taiko community whose performance presentations draw from Japanese folk music such as minyo and matsuri, all with a touch of feminist punk aesthetics. Our works are inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and ceremonies that become filtered through our Nikkei experiences. We re-examine and facilitate the ‘obon’ a traditional ceremony involving taiko, dance, and song for the purposes of communing with our ancestors. We also utilize the ‘oharai’, a shinto based purification ritual in the form of the sensu (fan) dance. We incorporate these traditional elements to complement our taiko expression.
Founding Inspiration#
Like minded Nikkei LGBTQIA representation
Notable History#
- January 24, 2020 Shinnen Soul, Onibana Taiko Japanese New Year Celebration, Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, Vancouver BC
- Kutto-Ni-Zu Tour: September 1, 2019 Bent On Art: Kootenay Queer and Trans Art Festival, Capitol Theatre, Nelson BC, August 31, 2019 Nelson Izu Shi Friendship Society Cottonwood Falls, Nelson BC, August 30, 2019 Community Performance, Bosun Hall, New Denver BC, August 28, 2019 Taiko Under Shooting Stars by the River, Keremeos BC
- October 24th, 2018 World Traditional Performing Art Festival Micheal J Fox Theatre, Burnaby BC June 16, 2018 BC Highland Games, Percy Perry Stadium, Coquitlam, BC
- September 24, 2017 Walk for Reconciliation, Strathcona Park, Vancouver BC
Future Goals and Values#
We are waiting on several grant projects (live performance with guests, and composition to live presentation)
Performance Material Sources#
We compose our own material or do improvisation.
Taiko Community Mentors in the Group#
We do everything!