Non-fiction project: Interview with Doug Masuhara

((Masterpost here))

In 2009, I had been on a trip to Japan and beforehand, was tasked to write an Interview with a Japanese-Canadian in order to learn more about different aspects of their culture. That resulted in the following conversation with Taiko Instructor, Doug Masuhara.

When I had gone to Japan last year with my school, I thought I knew what everybody else did;  that the country was known for its food, its impact on pop culture and its infamous secrecy on European societies, which spawned centuries. It's also known for its double-entendres, as Mr. Mehl said; “What you thought was true might not be; however, there is also another side to that.” When I did my project on Japanese culture, I was drawn to the sport of Taiko, Japanese drumming....and soon,  after a bit of searching here and there, I found myself sitting in front of Richmond Taiko instructor, Doug Masuhara.

Questions!

Question # 1: “If Seiichi Tanaka had brought Taiko to the United States, who do you think had brought Taiko up here in Canada?”

Doug: “Seiichi visited Canada in the mid to late 70s. In the past, second generation Japanese-Canadians were asking for a redress from the government, who they felt should apologize for the WWII internments. This caused a resurgence in their native cultures. At the Powell Street festival, Seiichi's troupe performed there and the crowds were amazed. Through the workshops to and from San Francisco, members of the workshops joined together and created what is known today as the Katari Taiko troupe; they became the very first Taiko group in Canda, and grew to prominence in the mid-80s.

Question # 2: “Do you think more Japanese-Canadians should include Taiko as a way of cultural preservation?”

Doug: “Yes, yet it's not for everyone. Because it's a powerful and visual art form, it can draw people in. Now whether or not the people watching want to take the next step is up to them. As a 3^rd generation  Japanese-Canadian, I have more of a Canadian background. When I saw the Kodo Taiko show, it had caught my interest; yet I hadn't done anything about it until 8 years ago, where I truly got involved in Taiko.”

Question # 3: “Is Taiko still being used as a spiritual outlet today?” (In the 1500s, the Taiko drum had been used to scare enemies, send codes, and was used in Buddhist and Shintoist rituals.)

Doug: “Yes, but more so in Japan. In North America, prior to the late 60s, Taiko still held traditional and cultural aspects in its ceremonies. Then Reverend Masao Kodani, of the Shenshin buddhist temple in California, began to introduce Taiko as more of a musical ensemble. Soon after, he founded Kinnara Taiko, one of the first North American Taiko groups.”

 Question # 4: “How is the future of Taiko drumming looking?

Doug: “Taiko will, no doubt, continue to expand. In the Taiko conferences, new Taiko groups emerge regularly. Many non-Japanese people have taken interest in Taiko through the new troupes. In Japan, there is re-emergence of Taiko and many groups are forming. Some groups, like Uzume Taiko, take it further and often mix Taiko with art forms such as dance and musical instruments.”

Question # 5: “With Kodo coming to the Orpheum theater this January, the Taiko craze is just rising. If we can't enough, when can we see you guys perform in the coming months?”

Doug: “Most groups have their websites, and even offer workshops throughout different times of the year. In summertime, with the B.C. long weekend, the Powell street festival is going on! Local groups are presenting, and best of all...it's FREE!!”

(Traditionally, the festival was at Oppenheimer Park, on Powell street, but now with renovations, it's moved to Woodland Park!)

...Now looking back on it, I could say that while the trip itself was marvelous and amazing, it was the discoveries I made while preparing for the trip that made it all worthwhile. Although, you have to admit that the sushi there was something else entirely...

Thanks for reading!

See you on the flipside

Suzanne Helen James.

23/11/10.