Features

• San Jose Taiko
• Russel Baba
• Jeanne Mercer
• Masato Baba
• Michelle Fujii
• Toru Watanabe
• Kris Bergstrom

• TaikoProject
• Portland Taiko
• Stanford Taiko
• Lawson Inada
• Seiichi Tanaka
• Jun Daiko
• Shoji Kameda
• On Ensemble
• Kenny Endo
• Son Returns
• Spirit Drum
• Taiko Drums
• Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble

  
  

Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka - Guest Artist

ShastaYama 2006 and 2009 Guest Artist

Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka is the central figure and the most influential individual in the introduction and development of traditional and modern taiko in America and is recognized by both governments of his native Japan and adopted United States.

Mr. Tanaka brought the art form of Japanese taiko to North America, founding San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968. He is recognized for developing a "way of taiko."

Seiichi Tanaka and S.F. Taiko Dojo have influenced not only American taiko, but taiko in Japan and worldwide as well.

Many leaders of American taiko have studied with Master Tanaka and S.F. Taiko Dojo. Shasta Taiko's Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba started taiko training with S.F. Taiko Dojo in 1972.

Tanaka Sensei was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a National Heritage Fellowship that honors individuals "for their artistic excellence, authenticity, and contributions to thieir field in traditional arts."

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded a Foreign Ministers Commendation for Grand Master Tanaka's "significant efforts in promoting the Japanese art of taiko," and the Emperor of Japan's taiko maker Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten founded Nihon Taiko Dojo, a taiko academy based on Tanaka Sensei's philosophy.

Seiichi Tanaka studied and performed with the leaders of Japan's modern taiko movement - Daihachi Oguchi and Osuwa Taiko, Sukeroku Taiko, and Gojinjo Taiko.

Mr. Tanaka has collaborated with artists Art Blakey, Max Roach, Tito Puente, Babatunde Olantunji, Narada Michael Waldren, Kitaro, Mickey Hart, and Mario Bauza.

Grand Master and S.F. Taiko Dojo have contributed to movie soundtracks "Apocalypse Now" and "The Right Stuff," contributed to "Return of the Jedi," and appeared in "Rising Sun."

A DVD that traces the development of American taiko, "The Spirit of Taiko," features 3 generations of American taiko represented by Grand Master Tanaka, Kenny Endo, and Masato Baba, the son of Shsata Taiko leaders Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer.

Tanaka Sensei also has a book published based on his philosophy called "The Way of Taiko."

Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and San Francisco Taiko Dojo appeared at the 2nd Annual ShastaYama in 2006. Shasta Taiko and ShastaYama are honored again to present the "father of American taiko" and the premier American taiko group.