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Kinnara Taiko is the second "kumidaiko", ensemble taiko, group to form in North America. It was founded in 1969 by members of the Senshin Buddhist Temple (Buddhist Churches of America).

In the post-war era, Rev. Masao Kodani, the minister at Senhin Buddhist Temple, sought to revive the musical cultural tradition that thrived at the temple before Japanese American internment.

In 19xx members at Senshin studied gagaku, shomyo, and taiko. In 19xx George Abe, Johnny Mori, and Rev. Masao Kodani were putting away the drums after their obon celebration. They got carried away playing the drums and resolved to use the drums year-round. [which came first? the drums or the shomyo/gagaku/taiko program?]

Kinnara Taiko

dharma (Buddhism)

The group grew out of and continues to be an integral part of Senshin Buddhist Temple The group initiated and remains at the core of Japanese American Buddhist Taiko -- taiko played in service to the Buddhist [dharma]]

Kinnara Taiko remains an active part of the North American Taiko community. In 2009 Kinnara Taiko celebrated their 40th anniversary

In 2011 they toured Japan for the first time with taiko, gagaku, and bugaku.

History
Rev. Masao Kodani (BCA), George Abe

http://www.culturalnews.com/?p=199

Kinnara Taiko is the oldest Japanese American Buddhist taiko group in North America, formed in 1969, and is named after the celestial musicians of Buddhism.

As a Buddhist group, emphasis is placed on participation, self-awareness and discovering the joy in “just” playing.

Kinnara is also based in the tradition of Japanese and Japanese American festival drumming, which blends traditional Japanese rhythms with American musical influences from rock to jazz to reflect the experience and lifestyles of its members.

Kinnara was the first group to make their own drums from oak wine barrels, as well as their own costumes and compose and choreograph performance pieces.

Johnny Mori.

Charter Members
Rev. Masao Kodani

Works

 * Ashura, on Big Drum [reference]

History
Rev. Masao Kodani. Johnny Mori George Abe.

Touring
Japan 2011.

Recordings

 * Big Drum. Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, 2005.