IWA DAIKO (意和太鼓) is a Sacramento-based taiko collective organized on principles of community building and self-expression. The name roughly means “Collective Purpose,” signifying the way in which music brings people together and allows for the sharing of our authentic selves. IWA DAIKO hopes to promote peace, understanding, and pluralism with music that honors both cultural tradition and exploration.

I started IWA DAIKO with my friends. Many of us had played together as the Kongo Gumi ensemble at the Northern California Koyasan Temple prior to this, and some of us in Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan at UC Davis before that. For us, taiko is a way for us to learn about ourselves, situate our diverse experiences, and give back to the community. Our members volunteer and participate in events such as the Florin JACL Manzanar Pilgrimage, Nichi Bei’s Wakamatsu Pilgrimage, Reclaim Sacramento Japantown, the North American Taiko Conference, the Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, educational programs, cultural festivals, direct action protests, and advocacy events.

In addition to playing taiko, our members help make equipment, host visiting artists, plan events, compose music, work out together, engage with scholarship and cultural knowledge systems, hang out together, and go on directed outings. For us, taiko is part of a broader life practice.

We practice twice-a-week and perform regularly. Please get in touch if you are interested in booking a performance or getting involved.