I started playing taiko after being told I had a knack for it. Theきっかけ for starting taiko was participating in a workshop by a taiko group from Los Angeles held at the Seattle Betsuin. There, I was praised for having a "good feel" for it, which piqued my interest. Afterwards, I joined a taiko group in Seattle and began in earnest. In 1991, I established "Matara Taiko." Currently, the main members number around 12 or 13. We practice on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays are for the "senpai" (senior members) and cover advanced material. The "kohai" (junior members) learn stage setup and forms by watching the senpai's movements, while Thursdays are for beginners, focusing on the basics. I just love taiko. I want people like that to join. It takes a lot of passion to spend four hours a week on taiko while also dealing with the demands of daily life. Some people quit within a year, citing reasons like "I have school" or "It's hard to practice taiko after work and dinner." To learn taiko, you need knowledge of forms (performance patterns), rhythm, Japanese and Japanese-American culture, traditions, and history. Also, although the practice is mostly in English, you'll learn both Japanese and English words, so you won't have any trouble joining any taiko group. And the basic principle is "Safety First." Therefore, we teach everything from how to hold the bachi (drumsticks) to how to put them down. Most of the songs we perform are original. And performing isn't just about hitting the drums. For example, "Kojo no Tsuki (Moon Over the Ruined Castle)" is based on that famous song, but first, some members dance, everyone sings, and then we play the taiko. Also, in "Ocha (Tea)," one person becomes the Teisyu (host) and makes tea, the Hanto (assistant) serves sweets to the guests, and then we play the taiko. And the third person is one of the Kyaku (guests), drinking tea and eating sweets. Unique, right?