Group History#
Regina Hibiki Taiko was established in 2014 as a subsidiary group of the Regina Japanese Canadian Club. In our early days, we practiced on homemade taiko drums crafted from old car tires and packing tape—an example of our creativity and passion for the art of Japanese drumming.
With generous support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the National Association of Japanese Canadians, we were able to purchase authentic Japanese taiko drums in 2015. This marked a significant milestone in our growth and development as a performing group.
We received training through both hands-on instruction and online video conferencing, generously provided by Living Sky Taiko in Saskatoon (in 2015) and Hinode Taiko in Winnipeg (in 2016). These mentorships played an important role in strengthening our foundational skills and expanding our repertoire.
In 2016, we officially incorporated as Regina Hibiki Taiko Club Inc.
In September 2018, we were honored to welcome the Japanese drumming group 上州藤岡上杉管領太鼓 as part of a cultural exchange initiative between the City of Regina and Fujioka City in Japan. Their mentorship was a valuable experience, and we look forward to continuing to develop our drumming skills and deepen our cultural ties through this relationship.
Today, we have 11 active members and continue learning new pieces, grow as a group, and create more opportunities to showcase our drumming and share Japanese culture with the wider community.
Founding Inspiration#
At the time the club was formed, we didn’t have any performance groups representing Japanese culture. Regina has a small and diverse Japanese community, with people from various backgrounds—some fluent in the language, and others not. Taiko didn’t require any language skills or prior experience, making it accessible to everyone. It was created to bring the community together and showcase Japanese culture in the wider community.
Notable History#
Regina Hibiki Taiko Children’s Workshop and Performance Event – 2017: Regina Hibiki Taiko Inc. received a grant from the NAJC Endowment Fund to help develop and enhance our drumming skills and broaden our musical capacity. As the culmination of this project, we held our first organized concert event on March 4, 2017.
- We hosted a 1.5-hour taiko drumming workshop for children aged 8 to 13. We were thrilled to see how many children were interested in taiko, and it became clear that there was potential for future classes. During the workshop, the children learned basic taiko drumming techniques and practiced two songs: Ma-Bo-Do-Fu and Ei Ja Nai Ka. Although it was a challenge to fit so much material into a short time, the workshop was engaging and fun, and the children enjoyed the experience.
- Following the workshop, the performance event began. We were happy to welcome a crowd of about 60 people who came to watch. We performed nine songs, and the children’s group joined us on stage to perform two of them. This was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our improved skills and to present a more diverse range of taiko performances, including dance, fue (bamboo flute), and kane (small hand gong).
- This event marked an important milestone in our development as a taiko group, as it was our first time performing several songs for a public audience.
TeleMiracle 42 & 44 (Kinsmen & Kinettes) – 2018 & 2020: TeleMiracle is an annual 20-hour telethon held in Saskatchewan, Canada, organized by the Kinsmen and Kinettes of Saskatchewan. Its primary goal is to raise funds for the Kinsmen Foundation, which supports Saskatchewan residents in need of special medical equipment, travel assistance for medical treatment, and other health-related services. We were honored to participate in the event in both 2018 and 2020, showcasing our taiko drumming. It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce Japanese drumming to a broader audience in Saskatchewan and to support TeleMiracle’s important initiatives.
Performances at New Year’s and BBQ Parties for the Regina Japanese Canadian Club: The Regina Japanese Canadian Club is like our parent organization and has supported our growth and development since our founding. We regularly perform at their annual New Year’s parties and summer BBQs in the park, showcasing our progress in taiko drumming. Their members are some of our most enthusiastic supporters, and we are always happy to see how much they enjoy our performances.
International Language Day Celebrations: The International Language Day Celebration is held annually by the Saskatchewan Association of International Languages Inc. (SAIL). This event promotes the importance of the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Languages are among the most powerful tools for preserving and developing both our tangible and intangible heritage. We have participated in this event every year since 2016 and are proud to be part of such an important initiative promoting multiculturalism.
Future Goals and Values#
Our future goals are to continue learning new pieces, grow as a group, and create more opportunities to showcase our drumming and share Japanese culture with the broader community.
Performance Material Sources#
We received both hands-on and online video conference–based training from Living Sky Taiko in Saskatoon and Hinode Taiko in Winnipeg. They taught us songs that we still perform today. Additionally, a Japanese drumming group (上州藤岡上杉管領太鼓) visited and mentored us in September 2018 as part of a cultural exchange initiative between the City of Regina and Fujioka City in Japan. They also taught us several songs. We have also learned songs through YouTube and other online sources.
