Portland Taiko

MusiciansUnited States11-50 Employees

Portland Taiko is an award-winning Asian American drumming ensemble.  Rhythm, melody and movement are woven together into an exhilarating musical experience. By combining traditional and contemporary compositions and choreography, Portland Taiko takes Asian American music into unexplored territory with its innovative and provocative creations. 

Taiko is the Japanese word for drum and the name of the art form. In Japan, taiko are used in religious ceremonies, community festivals and theater. North American taiko was born in the late 1960s, established by Seiichi Tanaka and his group, San Francisco Taiko Dojo. As the country was wrapped up in the civil rights movement, Asian Americans searched for a way to defy stereotypes strengthen community.  Taiko became a powerful symbol of voice, particularly during the struggle for redress of the Japanese American internment.

Equally important to artistic excellence is the element of sharing and inspiring others through hands-on education, from local elementary schools to our public classes and workshops. 

Portland Taiko is eager to share its artistry throughout the greater Portland community as well as the country, through education and entertainment.  To date, PT has reached over 1 million audience members at over 1500 performances at theatres, schools and festivals.

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