在ヒューストン日本国総領事館

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my great pleasure to be here with you today to enjoy Houston’s twelfth annual Grand Taiko Festival.

For the next two days we can witness Taiko performances by Kaminari Taiko, Kofu Daiko and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko who will be joined by RyuFu’s Okinawan Dance,Sangre Del Sol and Mr. and Mrs. Cirque will perform with fire and there will also be Classical Japanese Dancing from Dance Master Takahamaryu Mitsujuroku. I am certain this will prove to be a magnificent spectacle.

I’m sure most of you are aware, but we are lucky to have such an energetic troop of Taiko performers based here in Houston. Kaminari Taiko was formed in 1996 by Jay Mochizuki and his diversely talented group of musicians, practicing the “wadaiko” style. Together, these performers have trained under the some of Japan’s acclaimed Taiko Masters such as: Daihachi Oguchi, Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo and Takemasa Ishikura.

Taiko is not only about drumming, there are fundamental skills, philosophy, and the spirit of Japanese tradition as well.

Over the past years, they have polished their skills through hours of practice and numerous public performances.Kaminari Taiko has performed over 100 concerts in 20 different major cities.

Many Houstonians know them best from their annual performance here at the Miller Outdoor Theatre or from their appearances at the annual Japan Festival held right here in HermannPark. In addition to performances, Kaminari Taiko has an active outreach program, hosting workshops and lessons for beginners, including the Taiko Club at KolterElementary School, the only elementary school in Texas that offers Japanese language classes.These activities have educated thousands of people on the history and beauty of these instruments.

On this occasion, so soon after Hurricane Ike, Kaminari Taiko feels even more poignant. The word “kaminari” itself has the meaning of thunderstorm. All of us here tonight have been affected by the hurricane. Storms like Ike remind us how powerful nature can be. Luckily, these storms pass and we are once again able to move forward and rebuild.

Tonight, let us come together and celebrate. Let’s sit back and enjoy the heart-pounding experience of Japanese Taiko. Thank you!