TAIKO WORKSHOP

WHAT:

Taiko Workshop featuring George Abe and Qris Yamashita of the Kinnara Taiko, Senshin Buddhist Temple

WHEN:

Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple. 286 S.E. 4th Street. Ontario, Oregon, 97914

COST:

Individual - $70, lunch, snacks and dinner included. $35 for children. Ask for group rates.

CONTACT:

For additional information, contact Reverend Dennis Fujimoto at 208.707.2021 or at Rev. Fujimoto.

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, Sangha Taiko of the Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple will be hosting a taiko workshop in Ontario, Oregon. Featured instructors are Kinnara Taiko's George Abe and Qris Yamashita.

Kinnara Taiko was founded in 1969 by members of the Senshin Buddhist Temple and is one of the oldest taiko groups in the United States. Named after the celestial musicians in Buddhist mythology, Kinnara was founded as a development of the Buddhist performing arts called "Horaku" of "Dharma Entertainment". Blending traditional Japanese rhythms with American musical influences, their pieces reflect the background of the members, mostly third and fourth generation Americans of Japanese ancestry. Kinnara Taiko is part of a larger group of Buddhists interested in the pursuit of Buddhist studies and performing arts. As a cultural part of temple life, Kinnara is a vehicle for teaching succeeding generations of Buddhists attitudes and values through performance. Kinnara Taiko was one of the first groups in the United States to make their own drums from oak wine barrels.

The uniqueness of this workshop is in its exploration of the Buddhist influence and approach to Taiko drumming. It is the normal approach to aspire to create a dynamic balance and harmony with the rhythm of the taiko drums. Each drummer seeks to hone his techniques and disciplines to improve their play of the drums. The Buddhist approach is a recognition of the balance and harmony already inherent in the world that surrounds us. The mind of Buddhist Taiko is to align oneself with the harmony that is already there. The difference is natural as opposed to normal. Come see what this is all about.

George Tetsuo Abe is one of Kinnara's founding members. He was born in Manzanar, California, and raised in southwest Los Angeles. He began his musical training in L.A. city schools on the clarinet, oboe and saxophone. Upon graduating from college, he developed an interest in Japanese bamboo flutes, especially the shakuhachi and shinobue. As a member of Japanese Festival Sounds, he has performed taiko and bamboo flute at schools throughout California (on the roster of LA Music Center On Tour and From The Center, Orange County). He has conducted lecture performances at the Smithsonian Institution, the Japanese American National Museum and at various universities (Pepperdine, CSUN and UCLA). He now makes many of the instruments he uses in performances.

Qris Yamashita was raised in Gardena, California and attended the Gardena Buddhist Church and Japanese language school. She participated in tea ceremony, ikebana, kenjinkai picnics, Obon and family mochitsuki. She was active in the Asian American student movement at California State University, Long Beach, where she also studies art, majoring in graphic design. She currently works as an art director in the entertainment industry.

While attending college, Qris became aware of taiko. She began attending Senshin Buddhist Temple and participating in their Buddhist study classes, which led her to join Kinnara Taiko, and shortly after that, the gagaku group. At that time, she was one of three women playing taiko in the United States, two of whom were members of Kinnara. Although her mother did not approve, she continued her involvement with taiko.

As a visual artist, Qrist is working to create images that relate to being Japanese American and trying to develop a single symbol representing Japanese America. She sees her involvement in taiko as participating in the development of Japanese American Buddhist culture.

Taiko Workshop Agenda

10:00 - 10:30 Registration

General Outline

Taiko in a Buddhist Context

Use Rev. Masao Kodani's talk at the closing ceremony of the North American Taiko Conference 2009 as the basis for a discussion of taiko in the context of Buddhist Temples.

On October 17, 2009, Kinnara will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a gathering at Senshin Buddhist Temple. We will share some of that history with you.

Taiko Basics

Attitudes: mindfulness, thankfulness, dealing with ego and attachment.

Playing taiko: Kinnara's approach to taiko basics, i.e. stance/kata, kakegoe and kiai. Explore the technique of oroshi, using good kata and kiai.

Ashura

This is one of Kinnara's oldest pieces in their repertoire. It was composed by Rev. Kodani to convey the concept of Ashura which is the realm of the warrior, one of the six realms of Samsara. It's a great example of using taiko to explore a Buddhist teaching.

Ashura will be taught using the kuchi shoga (singing syllable) method, before playing it on the taiko. The kakegoe and kiai techniques learned earlier will be applied at this time.

Obon Taiko

In many ways, playing taiko for Obon Odori is different from kumi (group) taiko. It is definitely a much older form of taiko.

Using OBON UTA and TOKYO ONDO, Senshin's style of yagura taiko will be demonstrated as participants do the odori, applying the idea of "tada odore!" or just dancing.

Shakuhachi and Yokobue

Like taiko, playing the shakuhachi or yokobue can become a Buddhist practice (shugyo). All over the world, back to prehistory, flutes and drums have been used together in ceremonies, rituals and celebrations.

George will play examples of both shakuhachi and fue pieces, with explanations of how they were used or what the songs suggest.

As a demonstration of incorporating taiko with different flutes, another Kinnara piece called "Westside Oiwake" will be played.

Private or intensive fue workshop on request.

Other

In the middle of the afternoon, George and Qris will have a short taiko and shakuhachi performance.

5:30 - 7:30 Dinner

BCA 21st Century Campaign

The BCA 21st Century Campaign continues to go forward in an attempt to secure the future of Jodo Shinshu in America.

Since moving to the Jodo Shinshu Center, the IBS has enjoyed a growth in the number of students. At the August 15th Trustee Meeting, it was announced that in the fall 2008 Semester, there are 14 IBS students and 29 students from the Graduate Theological Union attending Buddhist classes. There is the establishment of a chaplaincy program at IBS through association with two Buddhist Chaplain Centers. A major step has been taken to work toward the accreditation with the Western Association of Colleges and Universities.

The Center for Buddhist Education continues to develop strong programs for BCA members. In a month, four or five programs are presented with great response from the BCA membership at large. Programs for youth, Dharma School students and teachers, young adults, temple leaders are being conducted.

There is activity and growth because the BCA has a campus which focuses and enhances the programs being conducted.

The members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple have always supported the educational programs of the BCA. Our temple members have been strong supporters of the BCA 21st Century Campaign. Some members continue to donate over and above their original pledge. We are grateful to all members who have contributed to the great cause of educational programs at the Jodo Shinshu Center.

The campaign continues. We ask all of our IOBT members to participate in the great endeavor of securing the future of our Buddhist Teaching in the United States. Please support the campaign.

Rev. Joshin Dennis Fujimoto

Pure Land Joggers and Striders

Pure Land Joggers and Striders (PLJS) is a club for runners, walkers, and anyone else who might stretch and exert a muscle or two during the course of the week. The IOBT Chapter of the Pure Land Joggers and Striders will be starting up this spring. Stay tuned for further information in the next few months, or contact Rev. Fujimoto at 208.707.2021

Meditation Seminar

Meditation Sessions (Shin Buddhist Seiza) Sitting and Walking Meditation, are being offered at IOBT on Thursday Evenings from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday Mornings from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. The fee is $5.00 per session for non members.

Members of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple practice Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, which originated in twelfth century Japan. The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple was dedicated in 1947. The public is also invited to visit and join Sunday Services. Children's Dharma School Service is at 10:30 a.m.; Adult Service is at 11:00 a.m.