Thank you to the 64 taiko groups and individuals who participated in #TaikoLove 2023!

You can see an assortment of Instagram Stories from TaikoLove 2023 if you visit Nen Daiko and click on the #TaikoLove 2023 Highlights. Whenever people tagged us in their Instagram Stories, we did our best to save them here. 

Some posts were made on private accounts so we won't try to link to them here, but we did love them!

The theme for Day 1 was Welcome All. This was an exciting day because we saw posts from many new people who had never participated in TaikoLove before. In total 13 new groups or individuals shared this year. Some of our favorite posts on Day 1 were:

• Finding Her Beat - You can feel the buzz from when all these performers came together to make this show and documentary! Be sure to see this in theaters soon!
• River City Taiko - Love the rainbow of shirts and how you kept the blooper wave!
• Tampa Taiko - So impressed you have brought taiko to 6,000 people
• Touzan Taiko - Love how your bachi all bend together and the big chu hug

The theme for Day 2 was Be Prepared. Some of our favorites were:

• OMNY Taiko - Making sure you have enough food - oh and a first aid kit
• Ryujin Taiko - Forgetting your happis and having to improvise
• Taiko Kai - Drum re-heading efforts means you are prepared for many more performances!
• Yeeman Mui - Shares as assistive device called a body braid to reduce pain when playing taiko

The theme for Day 3 was Share Energy. Some of our favorites were:

• Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan - Famous for their energy, they shared some great photos
• Shin Daiko - Great photos of Tori & Nora at a fundraiser for Ukraine
• Takohachi PDX - Love how you contrast the energy of your teens and your 40s-50s members
• Therese Stephen - Kodo member Eiichi Saito was mentioned multiple times on this theme day. 
• Yama no Oto - Opening session of the Canadian Taiko Community event - looks fun!

The theme for Day 4 was Set Your Gaze. Some of our favorites were:

• Joshua Yoon - Showing focus through the years
• ​Kita no Taiko - These black and white portraits really stand out 
• New York Taiko Aiko Kai - Great lighting on this odaiko photo
• Puna Taiko - It's great to see how these performers support each other through their gaze

The theme for Day 5 was Bring Drama. Some of our favorites were:

• Emma Hyeon Jin Valentine - Beautiful black and white photo
• Kita no Taiko - Love the performer's faces during this song about jackrabbits 
• Mike Gallan - Photo of Seito Kitagawa's performance with River City Taiko - amazing!
• Odaiko Sonoroa - An impressive backdrop makes us nervous during this performance
• Pittsburgh Taiko - Vincent the peacock brings drama
• River City Taiko - Video from Seito Kitagawa's collaboration was wow!
• Taiko Tides - This photo of Shin-En captures the drama of the moment

The theme for Day 6 was Embody Strength. Some of our favorites were:

• JGB Shibuki - Performing Sen No Kaikyo which was composed by Eitetsu Hayashi after the 1995 Hanshin earthquake of Japan - love the blurry audience background
• Megan Chao Smith - She posted two powerful stories on this theme - with her family and with Jodaiko
• Naruwan Taiko - Playing the famous odaiko on Sado Island

The theme for Day 7 was Sing Out. Some of our favorites were:

• Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan - Their song "Peacock" seems perfect for this theme
• Dekoboko Taiko - Hilariously singing the fue part at practice, and then we get to see it on stage
• Triangle Taiko - Singing Kiyari before their Miyake performance
• Yama no Oto - A fun song shared at the Canadian Taiko Community event

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The theme for Day 8 was Defy Gravity. Some of our favorites were:

• Atsuko Toba - We strongly recommend reading all 10 of Atsuko's posts to follow the journey of someone learning taiko who has autism. This posts talks about the challenges of raising her arms to "defy gravity."
• Eileen Ho - This post reminds us to take a moment to really appreciate the beautiful venues where we get to perform - including an aviation museum!
• Kazan Taiko - The perfectly timed bachi throw
• Ojai O'Daiko - Find a giant rock to jump off to get photos like this
• Pittsburgh Taiko - The story of a broken bachi stuck in the ceiling since 2019
• Takohachi PDX - If you need some energy, watch this video

The theme for Day 9 was Dance Together. Some of our favorites were:

• Cairns Taiko - About an ambitious project to learn a folk dance and song
• Gendo Taiko - Dancing on their drum heads during their re-heading project
• Kyodo Taiko - Adding some K-pop during their stage transitions
• LATI Gumi - Members show their love of their new happi by dancing
• Taiko Ventures - Sydney Shiroyama and her students make us want to dance.
• Touzan Taiko - Sonan Bushi (which River City Taiko does for warm-ups!)

The theme for Day 10 was End with Joy. Some of our favorites were:

• ​Kazenodaichi Taiko - A great reminder to joyfully experiment with songs
• Narukami Taiko - An impressive group photo in black and white with every emotion
• Ojai O'Daiko - Such a cool vantage point from on top of a parade float - such joy!
• Shin Daiko - They can truly end with Joy because they have a member named Joy!
• Taiko Community Alliance - Love the joy on the faces of these NATC-R participants
• TaikoMix - This photos says it all - a perfect summary of End with Joy

We hope you enjoyed following the stories from taiko groups around the world as much as we did! 

​Much #TaikoLove to you all!
​

The theme for Day 10 of #TaikoLove was Return. 

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
KaDON
Kazan Taiko
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Lisa Shiota
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Puna Taiko
River City Taiko
San Jose Taiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Sophia K. Wang
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Cordoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 9 of #TaikoLove was Heart. 

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Daiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
JGB Shibuki Japanese Drum Group
KaDON
Kazan Taiko
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mark H Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Puna Taiko
Quirky Clover
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Santa Fe Wadaiko - Post in Taiko Community Facebook Group
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Cordoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 8 of #TaikoLove was Golden. 

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Daiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
KaDON
Kazan Taiko
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko - In Stories
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Puna Taiko
Quirky Clover
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Shin Daiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Therese Stephen
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 7 of #TaikoLove was Architecture. 

Many groups took the opportunity to show their practice spaces, and others showed interesting venues where they have played. Some showed the architecture of their drum stands or the parade floats that they built. 

Actually Autistic Artists made the connection between architecture and music composition - such a great interpretation of the theme!

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Actually Autistic Artists
All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Daiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
KaDON
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinga Kovács / akerimaneida (Hungary)
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mark H Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Puna Taiko
Quirky Clover
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
San Jose Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
Shin Daiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko - In Facebook Taiko Community Group
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two - and check out the photo Yurika took at https://www.instagram.com/p/CiVhihdp303/
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 6 of #TaikoLove was Tabi. 

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
KaDON
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinga Kovács / akerimaneida (Hungary)
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko
LA Taiko Festival
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mark H Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko - In Stories
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Puna Taiko
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 5 of #TaikoLove was Sass. 

While most people talked about bringing some spice to life, Triangle Taiko had a unique interpretation. One of their first teachers was named Jason Sass!

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Actually Autistic Artists
All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
Ho Etsu Taiko
KaDON
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinga Kovács / akerimaneida (Hungary)
Kinnara Taiko
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
LA Miyake Kai
Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko
LA Taiko Festival
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko - In Stories
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
OMNY Taiko - In Stories
Puna Taiko
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Shin Daiko
Sierra Vista Taiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yeeman Mui
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 4 of #TaikoLove was Resolution. Groups interpreted this word to mean:

• Setting a goal and pursuing it with determination, like a New Year's resolution or resolving to play well in a performance
• The image quality of a photo or video
• How to finish something, like a song

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Actually Autistic Artists
All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Ho Etsu Taiko
KaDON
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinnara Taiko
Kiseiko-Mineidanchi​ (Argentina) - In Stories
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko - In Stories
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko - In Stories
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Puna Taiko
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Sean Ibanez
Shin Daiko
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 3 of #TaikoLove was Community Service.

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers from around the world on this theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Actually Autistic Artists - In Stories
All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
Ho Etsu Taiko
Kadon Taiko
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinga Kovács / akerimaneida (Hungary)
Kinnara Taiko
Kiseiko-Mineidanchi (Argentina) - In Stories
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyo Daiko
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mark H Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko
Nen Daiko / Dounen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Puna Taiko
Quetzal Music
Raging Asian Womxn Taiko (Canada)
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Sanbiki No Taikouchi / Taiko Lecco (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Shin Daiko
Sierra Vista Taiko
Sophia K. Wang
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Cordoba
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko - shared in Taiko Community Facebook group
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!

The theme for Day 2 of #TaikoLove was Nature.

Here are the posts from taiko groups and performers on today's theme.

If we missed your post, please contact us on our website or message us via social media.

Actually Autistic Artists
All Things Taiko - Carrie Alita Carter
Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan
Benten - Mirai Taiko JKT (Indonesia)
Cairns Taiko (Australia)
Earth Spirit Taiko
Finding Her Beat
Gendo Taiko
Goisagi Taiko
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Harisen Daiko
Ho Etsu Taiko
iki-iki Taiko (Germany)
Kadon Taiko
Kazenodaichi Taiko
Kinga Kovács / akerimaneida (Hungary)
Kinnara Taiko
Kiseiko-Mineidanchi (Argentina) - In Stories
Kita no Taiko (Canada)
Kristina McGaha
Kyodo Taiko
Kyoumei Daiko (Argentina)
LA Miyake Kai
LA Taiko Festival
Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko
Lisa Shiota
Los Dokos Taiko
Mark H Taiko
Mike Gallan
Miyako Taiko
Narukami Taiko (New Zealand)
Naruwan Taiko
Nen Daiko
New York Taiko Aiko Kai
Odaiko Sonora
Ojai O'Daiko
Portland Taiko
Puna Taiko
Raging Asian Womxn Taiko (Canada)
River City Taiko
Ryujin Taiko
Ryushin Rosario Taiko (Argentina)
Sanbiki No Taikouchi (Italy)
San Jose Taiko
Santa Fe Wadaiko
Sean Ibanez
Senryu Taiko
Shin Daiko
Soh Daiko - In Stories
Southern Indiana Taiko
Taiko Córdoba (Argentina)
TaikoMix
Tampa Taiko
Therese Stephen
Triangle Taiko
Tsuchigumo Daiko (Scotland)
Unit Two
Yama no Oto (Canada)
Yurika Chiba

We're not going to try and embed all the posts because it's a lot of work! But here are some nifty ones!