Obon 2017 - A Thousand Thank Yous

Nen Daiko is so grateful for everyone who contributed to the success of Obon 2017, the summer festival at Ekoji Buddhist Temple. We received many incredible photos and videos from attendees. If you took photos or video, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected]!

For this year's performance, Nen Daiko played the four songs that we are preparing for Taiko Jam 2017 at the North American Taiko Conference next month in San Diego, California - Satori no Michi, Shiawase Ondo, Wanderlust and Rouga. There are some tickets still available if you live nearby - August 12 & 13 at the University of California at San Diego.

Before we perform, we meditate off-stage. This is particularly important at Obon where we have all been volunteering at top speed for days. (Photo: Evan Cantwell)

Satori no Michi (The Path to Enlightenment)

This song was composed by former Nen Daiko member Ruth Vines. 

The song started with the Buddhist chant Shoshinge. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

The audience kindly sat down all around so everyone could see - thank you! (Photo: Evan Cantwell)

This song is a call-and-response between the odaiko (the large upright drum) and the chu-daikos (the smaller angled drums. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

The people playing the smaller drums have solos, representing their individual paths to Enlightenment. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

The odaiko represents the Buddha. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

Satori is a lot of fun to play! (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

Shiawase (Happiness)

This song was composed by Greg Nakamura (playing the tied drum in this performance). 

The song begins with the higher pitched tied drum, or shime-daiko, accompanied by the chappa or cymbals), and a kane or dish-shaped bell. (Photo: Heather Mitchell-Buck)

The taiko accompany the shino-bue or bamboo flute melody. (Photo: Heather Mitchell-Buck)

It helps to be light on your feet when playing Shiawase. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

This song has a lot of choreography with big happy movements. (Photo: Evan Cantwell)

Many people love this song for its lively melody and the joy on our faces. (Photo: Tara Innes)

Check out this clip of Shiawase, shared on Instagram by Rhonda Geyer with @jetsetseniors:

A post shared by Nen Daiko (@nendaiko) on Jul 10, 2017 at 8:42pm PDT

Wanderlust

This song was composed by Greg Nakamura.  It expresses the bittersweet emotions between leaving the comforts of home and the excitement of new experiences and challenges when going on a journey. ​

Photo: Evan Cantwell

Photo: Tara Innes

At the end, we slowly turned away from the audience and knelt during the last solo. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

Rouga (Wolf Fang)

This song was composed by Ryo Shimamoto. It is about a pack of wolves hunting for prey & it's a very intense song. 

Photo: Kris Ikejiri

Photo: Kris Ikejiri

Photo: Heather Mitchell-Buck

Photo: Kris Ikejiri

Photo: Heather Mitchell-Buck

Almost done - look at the intensity of those faces!!! (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

For a little sense of the intensity of Rouga, check out this video taken by Lesly Cox who shared it at @shoupealoop on Instagram:

A post shared by Lesly Cox (@shoupealoop) on Jul 8, 2017 at 8:20pm PDT

Taiko Jam Quilt

To prepare for our trip to the North American Taiko Conference performances in Taiko Jam 2017, friends and family have donated to our expenses. Each donor's name is sewn on a Taiko Jam quilt. We shared the quilt at the concert.

There is still time to support Nen Daiko on this adventure, and travel with us virtually to California! Visit our GoFundMe page to support Nen Daiko at Taiko Jam 2017.

Photo: Heather Mitchell-Buck

Photo: Kris Ikejiri

So Much More at Obon!

Nen Daiko loves performing at Obon AND we love all the other aspects of the experience. Here are a few photos of the many other activities.

There is Bon Odori or community dancing. Nen Daiko provided taiko accompaniment to the dancing. (Photos: Kris Ikejiri)

The Aloha Boys play the best Hawaiian music! (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

The heart of the Obon celebration is to remember our ancestors and loved ones that have passed on.
Everyone is encouraged to light a candle in memory of those who have passed. These are placed in our Japanese garden and lit during a brief ceremony in the evening after it gets dark. (Photo: Kris Ikejiri)

​And so much more!!! Learn more at the Ekoji Obon website.

Thank you Soh Daiko & Mark H!

Members from our sister taiko group Soh Daiko drove from New York City to volunteer for the day - thanks guys! (Photo: Carla Brown)

Having the power of 12 drummers in Rouga would not have been possible without the help of Mark H. Rooney. Thank you for the use of your drums and equipment! If you'd like to try taiko, check out Mark's taiko workshops!

Thank you everyone who came to Obon at Ekoji Buddhist Temple. We hope to see you again next year and bring your friends!