RHYTHM SPIRIT 2025
Program
Home Coming Home by Alex Hudson
Golden Sky by Geoff Noone
Wagamama by Yurika Chiba
Chikara by Janet Koike, arranged by Franco Imperial
Kagami by Anna Lin
Tales of a Balloon by Mitchell Fukumoto
Stammer by Warren Macdonald (premiere)
SoréSamba by Franco Imperial
-INTERMISSION-
Ki by Matt Ogawa
Shibuki by Kelli Wing
Tai Ya Sa by Kagemusha Junior Taiko
Uta arranged by Yurika Chiba
One World by Gary Tsujimoto
Gathering by Franco Imperial, arranged by Warren Macdonald
Oedo Bayashi by Gary Tsujimoto
Beyond by Geoff Noone
This show is approximately 120 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
No photo, sound, or video recordings permitted except by approved staff.
PROGRAM NOTES
Home Coming Home by Alex Hudson (2016)
5th and Jackson; one stop before Machida station on the Odakyu line; a nearby pond that sings with ducks and frogs before running to the Willamette. Our real, true home, our heart, the people who lift us up and make us better. The home we know we’ll return to someday, and the home we carry with us always.
Golden Sky by Geoff Noone (2019)
This piece was inspired by the sounds of the taiko carrying through a bright summer sky and hopes to evoke the feeling of being at Obon, celebrating with loved ones. YNWA
Wagamama by Yurika Chiba (2016)
Wagamama can be translated as “wilful or naughty child." This song plays on the composer’s confusion growing up as a Japanese Canadian, not knowing when to blend in or disappear and when to stand out. Other themes addressed are formality/informality and honne/tatemae (honesty/facade). Special thanks to Kelli Wing, Craig Wong, and Byron Yamanaka, who contributed childhood secrets for the formulation of some of the rhythmic patterns.
Chikara by Janet Koike (1995), arranged by Franco Imperial (2023)
“Although I am imprisoned, my heart and mind are free.” Shiro Fujioka’s poem, written during his incarceration in Heart Mountain camp, inspires Chikara, an internal strength that keeps the human spirit alive. The poetry read aloud comes from the Tachibana Ginsha (Standing Flower Poetry Group), a collective of Issei individuals confined at Heart Mountain, with the composer’s grandfather being one of its members. Special thanks to Janet Koike for generously sharing this collection with us.
Transition: After Camp by Stewart Kume (2025)
When the camps closed, internees received a few dollars and a bus ticket; they were told they could go home. But so many had lost their homes, farms, businesses, and livelihoods. This short musical transition recognizes the profound loss experienced by the internees, and the struggles and uncertainty they faced as they looked ahead to rebuilding their lives after camp.
Kagami by Anna Lin (1993)
Kagami (mirror) is a technically challenging piece that merges the styles of Miyarabi Taiko of Tokyo and San Jose Taiko. The faces of the drums are turned toward each other and reflect the player’s connection to the taiko.
Tales of a Balloon by Mitchell Fukumoto (2012), arranged by the composer (2025)
A little red balloon floats blissfully away in the distance. Where did it come from and who set it free? Tales recalls the whimsical and carefree nature of one’s childhood. Awaken your inner child and relive those careless days once again. What tales would your balloon tell? This version is a San Jose Taiko arrangement of the piece originally composed for Stanford Taiko.
Transition: Yuu Suzumi by Yurika Chiba (2024)
Yuu Suzumi is the Japanese tradition of appreciation of cooling summer evenings. In this transition piece, it is a metaphor for long grief, love, longing, and enjoying the time left of the day or season.
Stammer by Warren Macdonald (2025), Premiere
Stammer explores the tension between rhythm and interruption. Drawing inspiration from the irregular cadence of stammered speech, the piece uses syncopated patterns and unexpected pauses to create a sense of hesitation and momentum. Midway through, the rhythm takes a glitch-like turn, echoing the sound of a skipping record — a moment where the backbeat shifts and realigns, challenging both players and listeners to find balance in the broken.
Transition: Tennis Ball of Ki arranged by Mitchell Fukumoto (2025)
This piece is inspired by the classic taiko gag of passing an invisible ball between taiko players. It borrows patterns from San Jose Taiko’s recent composition The Counting Song, which was featured in Taiko Town, SJT’s kids’ educational web series.
SoréSamba by Franco Imperial (2016)
What happens when you combine festival music from Brazil (carnaval) and San Jose Japantown (matsuri)? SoréSamba explores the feelings and connections of music shared in streets of a neighborhood community. Special thanks to Dan Sabanovich for his instruction and guidance with the many styles of samba.
Intermission
Ki by Matt Ogawa (2019)*
Ki (energy) is one of San Jose Taiko's Four Principles that guide the development of our taiko skills. Big movements and kinetic joy highlight the fun of playing taiko.
Transition: Pandala by Franco Imperial (2001)
This is an abridged version of a piece that features the kulintang, a multi-gong instrument with origins in the Mindanaon provinces of the Philippines. A pandala is a multicolored cloth used to decorate the stage for celebrations where kulintang music is played. Special thanks to master kulintang artist & teacher Danongan Kalanduyan for his instruction and guidance.
Shibuki by Kelli Wing (2007)*
Inspired by childhood trips to the Hawaiian Islands, Shibuki (sea spray) conjures the image of standing on an ocean cliff and feeling the breaking waves against a lava rock coastline. Its fluidity and rhythm is demonstrated as the surging beats ebb and flow and as the kata shifts from one drum to the other in dynamic motions.
Transition: Dōbutsuen by Braden Wong (2025)
Dōbutsuen (zoo) is a work-in-progress piece that explores the joy of unity and resistance against oppressive forces. Like zoo animals, we may or may not be aware of the walls that confine us, but we are always stronger when we stand together.
Tai Ya Sa by Kagemusha Junior Taiko (2010)*
Members of the Kagemusha Junior Taiko of Exeter, UK composed this piece as an ode to San Jose Taiko's unique blend of movement, energy, and technique.
Uta arranged by Yurika Chiba (2023)
Uta (song) is an arrangement of the Ainu song Uta Ro, taught to San Jose Taiko in the 1980s by Yoko Fujimoto of the world-renowned taiko group, Kodo. The Ainu are the indigenous people of Japan, and uta ro means people in the Ainu language. The Ainu lyrics encourage everyone, "People, stand up! Dance! You all dance!" Every SJT audition class learns Uta Ro as part of their training to express ki (energy). For this arrangement, SJT Performing Members contributed words of encouragement and personal expression: Taiko makes me feel like home; tighten shime (small rope-tied taiko), open minds; one beat, one heart; resistance through the sound of joy, healing through the sound of joy.
One World by Gary Tsujimoto (1986)
The musicians share a combination of drums, creating a sound that is based on a fusion of African, Latin, and Japanese rhythms. Accompanying them are clave, cowbell, and shekere parts inspired by Afro Cuban / Afro Latin styles.
Gathering by Franco Imperial (2005), arranged by Warren Macdonald (2025)
This piece explores the boundaries of movement with the katsugi okedo, a type of taiko that is strapped across the shoulders of the player. This playful composition counters exciting rhythms and choreography to create a fun, festive mood.
Transition: Matsuri Bayashi arranged by Franco Imperial (2025)
Matsuri Bayashi (festival song) is an improvised transitional piece that includes taiko, the Japanese bamboo flute, and other handheld percussion instruments. This version was inspired by the festive atmosphere of Viva Calle, a bike festival that recently took place in downtown San Jose.
Oedo Bayashi arranged by Gary Tsujimoto (1983)
Inspired by the dynamic style created by Seido Kobayashi of Oedo Sukeroku Taiko, this piece features the performers in a driving series of movements and group solos.
Beyond by Geoff Noone (2023)
Celebrating 50 years of rhythm and community, Beyond honors San Jose Taiko’s legacy of contemporary taiko music, while propelling its voice forward. With an energetic drive towards new horizons, Beyond invites audiences to share in a hopeful vision of the future.
*Performed by the Junior Taiko Performing Ensemble
San Jose Taiko
San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for an outlet to convey their experiences as third generation Japanese Americans. Looking to Japan for inspiration, they were drawn to the empowering sounds of the taiko, an instrument that embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japan.
Since then, San Jose Taiko has become a world-class ensemble, performing extensively both nationally and internationally. By studying with masters of other traditions and cultures, San Jose Taiko has broadened and embellished this historical art form into a distinct performance style that blends the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with the beat of world rhythms and is often described as “dancing with drums.” Known for synchronized choreography, eclectic musicality, and joyful spirit, San Jose Taiko performances and instruction are sought throughout the world by taiko fans and practitioners alike.
With a deep respect for cultural traditions, San Jose Taiko is dedicated to the advancement of taiko through innovative performances and outstanding educational programs, while maintaining strong ties with its San Jose Japantown community. Through taiko, we encourage cultural pluralism as a gateway to better communication, open-mindedness, and connection.
Performing Members
Yurika Chiba
Mitchell Fukumoto
Alex Hudson
Meg Suzuki Hudson
Franco Imperial
Katy Itani
Yuzu Kubota
Stewart Kume
Warren Macdonald
Geoff Noone
Vicky Phan
Kazu Shirai
Wisa Uemura
Kelli Wing
Braden Wong
San Jose Junior Taiko Performing Ensemble
The San Jose Junior Taiko Program began in 1985 and is the oldest continually running children's taiko program in the country. The program consists of classes taught by members of San Jose Taiko's professional company who provide young players not only with instruction in taiko but also with opportunities for building creative expression, self-esteem, cultural awareness, and group cooperation. The Junior Taiko Performing Ensemble is the highest-level class in the Junior Taiko Program and performs both with the professional adult company and on their own at festivals and local events.
Grant Dulay
Junna Hashimoto
Kaio Icasiano
Jaden Kanazawa
Luke Lee
Fred Louie
Ryan Matsumoto
Tina Zhang
Not performing tonight:
Rebecca Kunze
Lindsay Takamura
Kainoa Wong
Merchandise
Two brand-new designs!
Designed by Owen Tanaka (@tanakageneralstore)!
San Jose Taiko merchandise can also be purchased online at taiko.org/shop
CREDITS
SAN JOSE TAIKO STAFF
Wisa Uemura, Executive Director
Franco Imperial, Artistic Director
Yurika Chiba, Artistic Staff
Geoff Noone, Artistic Staff
Meg Suzuki Hudson, Outreach Coordinator
Emma Valentine, Business Manager
LIGHTING DIRECTOR
Emma Valentine
SJT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeremy Nishihara, Co-President
Marie Yoshidome, Co-President
Atul Trivedi, Secretary
Ryan Komagome, Treasurer
Mari Ormiston
Dane So
Dan Sueyoshi
HONORARY MEMBERS
Roy Hirabayashi, Co-Founder
PJ Hirabayashi, Artistic Director Emeritus
Rina Chang, Associate Member
Zach Isaac, Associate Member
Syl King, Associate Member
Alix Koyama, Associate Member
Trish Wong Kume, Associate Member
Kristine Lee, Associate Member
Britt Mattern, Associate Member
Pam Murotsune, Associate Member
Matt Ogawa, Associate Member
Rylan Sekiguchi, Associate Member
Pear Urushima, Associate Member
Allison Wong, Associate Member
Byron Yamanaka, Associate Member
SJT CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE
Applied Materials
California Arts Council
The City of San Jose - Office of Cultural Affairs
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation
The Leo M. Shortino Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Creates
And generous friends like you
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Campbell Heritage Theatre staff and crew
Pro Bono ASL, Rorri Burton, and Ezekiel Kosaka
Bill & Jean Uemura
CONCERT VOLUNTEERS
Weiju Chen
Susan Chin
Jeanne Kays
Alix Koyama
Trish Wong Kume
Kimi Nakajima
Ray Ortiz
Owen Tanaka
Craig Willis
Lynda Won-Chung
Byron Yamanaka
PHOTOGRAPHY
Kristine Lee
San Jose Taiko
565 N 5th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
408-293-9344 phone
408-293-9366 fax
info@taiko.org
www.taiko.org
@sanjosetaiko