在ヒューストン日本国総領事館

Good evening. I am pleased to see so many fans of Japanese taiko here tonight, and I am excited to watch the great performance of Kaminari Taiko tonight.

I would like to extend special recognition this evening to the members of the Kaminari Taiko drum troupe. Taikomeans “drum” in Japanese, and is an exciting aspect of Japanese culture. Kaminari Taiko was founded right here in Houston in 1996 by Jay Mochizuki and has performed over 100 concerts in various cities across the country.

As a hometown favorite, I’m sure that many of you have already enjoyed several performances by this great group. For those who are experiencing them for the first time, I can assure you that you are in for a treat.

With highly trained skills, performances of Kaminari Taiko have attracted a great number of people in the U.S. and raised awareness and understanding of people toward Japanese culture. I truly appreciate their tremendous efforts.

Kaminari Taiko has contributed greatly to Japanese-American exchange through its offerings of weekly taiko lessons, public elementary school lessons, and taiko workshops for disabled children and the terminally ill.

I sincerely hope that Kaminari Taiko will continue to passionately perform for audiences around the country, give lessons to those who wish to know more about Japanese culture, and bring people together through a shared enjoyment of music.

Now, in recognition of their many great contributions to Japan-U.S. relations and wishing for their continued success, I would like to present Kaminari Taiko with the “Consul-General’s Award”.

CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION

I, Tsutomu Osawa, Consul-General of Japan extend my deepest regards to KAMINARI TAIKO in recognition of their distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States of America.

Awarded on September 18th, 2009 in Houston, TX
Consul-General of Japan at Houston

Congratulations !