by Susanne Tabata

Against the Current, a co-production between the Vancouver Taiko Society and the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, took the stage on November 6 at the Japanese Hall on Alexander Street. It was at once a great piece of art and a reminder of the dispossession and reclamation of culture common to First Nations and Japanese Canadians.

While a stripped-down version of this performance work took place this past summer at the Powell Street Festival, it took a seated audience in a quiet historic building to be able to make sense of the story. Two interwoven cultures, both with a common love of the sea; unbowed by past historic injustices; standing together in song, dance, drumming and spoken word.  All on the ground that once was home to their kin – the salmon as a metaphor for the lifecycle and journey home.

There are so many moving parts to this performance so we turned the tables on one of the creators of the work who is also the editor of The Bulletin, John Endo Greenaway, to ask him a few questions about this great piece of contemporary work.

How long did it take you to create this work? 

Although there was big push in the two months before the show, the process before then was rather long and unhurried. You could say it meandered like a lazy stream, and then turned into a raging torrent. But seriously, it began about two years ago. We had our first work-in-progress showing of the taiko works at Katari Taiko’s 30th Anniversary concert at the Vancouver Playhouse last December. I actually missed that show because I was in hospital recovering from a sudden case of acute pancreatitis – thankfully my daughter Emiko was able to step in at the very last second and play my part. I guess my illness and recovery was in keeping with the theme of the show! When we premiered the piece at the Powell Street Festival most of the pieces were in place, but we added quite a bit of the non-taiko content for the Japanese Hall show, including adding in Grace Eiko Thomson as one the “voices” of the piece.

She was my personal favourite!

Me too! I’ve known Grace for a long time and worked with her in various capacities but never dreamed we’d share a stage together. Of all the performers, it was the biggest stretch for her and I’m so pleased so agreed to do it – she did a fabulous job!

What performers were featured in this performance?

There were about sixty performers all told, including five of Vancouver’s taiko groups; the Lil’wat family singing group Tzo’kam led by Russell Wallace; storyteller Rosemary Georgeson, who worked in the fishing industry for a long time; and Grace of course.

How were you able to have so many creative voices providing input into this work without losing your vision?

It can be difficult working with so many people, but, in this case, those cumulative voices ended up providing the vision for the piece, each one layered upon the other to create a multi-dimensional whole. To me that is the key to the power of the finished work – that sense of community. It wasn’t an intellectual or academic exercise, it was very real and honest. I don’t think there were a lot of egos to begin with, but if they existed, they were checked at the door. It was really a pleasure working with everyone.

Is Against the Current as you originally imagined it?

Yes and no. To be honest, the original vision was so amorphous and unstructured, that the final result was a pleasant surprise. We brought most of the performers together in July for the first time, not long before the Powell Street performance. Tzo’kam had worked with Sawagi Taiko before, but I had never worked with them, or with Rose. By the end of that rehearsal, I knew it would work, and I was very happy!

The relationship between our cultures could use more exploration. Do you have any ideas about that? 

You know, to be honest, I’d never put that much thought into the relationship before this collaboration. As I worked on the script with Savannah Walling and teased out the various threads, it became clear that there is a lot of common ground, even though in some ways, the two cultures are very different. I hope that this was not just a one-off, and that we can continue to explore art-making together in the future.

Keep your hopes up that an encore performance of Against the Current will be programmed next May 2016 when Vancouver Asian Heritage Month will feature a Japanese Canadian theme.

Press (courtesy of Vancouver Moving Theatre)

[Against the Current]  Hardy salmon focus for two very different cultures…. The resilient fish is a good metaphor for both of these resilient communities in the area, which have faced everything from extradition from traditional territories to wartime internment and more… It is an area in transition and one where community collaboration is key to its survival…. “So many of these shows come out of cultural groups brainstorming about something that can be done which speaks to their experience and the neighbourhood,” said Greenaway. “In this case it was an idea around salmon and fishing traditions in the Japanese community, and I felt it was impossible not to bring in First Nations, and it all came together so organically. “And as it came together, the threads of salmon as a sustaining force in both communities, and also struggling against almost impossible odds to meet your goals intertwined.  – The Province

Against the Current: Taiko and Indigenous Voices Shake the Japanese Hall… It was at once a great piece of art and a reminder of the dispossession and reclamation of culture common to First Nations and Japanese Canadians… Two interwoven cultures, both with a common love of the sea; unbowed by past historic injustice; standing together in song, dance, drumming and spoken word.  All on the ground that once was home to their kin- the salmon as a metaphor for the lifecycle and journey home. – The Bulletin: a journal of Japanese Canadian Community

Audience Feedback

Over the years, I have been following the story of the salmon. I love that the story of the Salmon people keeps return and evolving in the community, just like the returning cycle of the salmon.

I loved the collaboration with First Nations and Japanese. Fantastic show – Amazing drumming! 

This was the coolest event I have ever attended in my life!!! And I was at Woodstock! More!! This can change the world!! (Blaine, Washington, USA)

The talents and skills utilized are phenomenal … an unstoppable force!

Bridging the two communities together is a fantastic way to build solidarity and respect for all. Great festival! Lots of amazing talent. 

It was a great show.  I loved the combination of First Nations song and Japanese drumming. Both cultures’ mixture!

What a wonderful show!  Amazing to see the collaboration and so important to celebrate our salmon. Hope to see more!  (North Vancouver)

I was very excited to see the collaboration across communities in “Against the Current”. 

What a beautiful collaboration!  I was struck by the power and grace of both the Salish performers and Taiko drummers – they blended beautifully.

This was absolutely amazing!  The best show I’ve seen in a very long time. 

So much talent and spirit! 

Beautiful!

Awesome Show.

Incredible performances. It was a fabulous experience!

Double Happiness!  Drumming! Singing!

Quite amazing how two cultures’ drumming mixed with each other.

Incredible! Thank you!  More!

Stunning & Powerful – Thank you!!

Arigato!! Great Job.

Five Stars.

Topham to Tohoku – Rainbow of Hope
A concert in support of Tohoku Rainbow House and 2011 tsunami orphans

Featuring Sansho Daiko, Vancouver Okinawa Taiko & Topham Tora Taiko

Saturday May 23 7:00pm
Topham Elementary School
21555  91st Avenue, Langley, BC

$10 adults $8 students/seniors

Tickets and other info: tophamtorataiko.weebly.com

The First Annual Gulf Islands Taiko Camp will take place June 19 and 20 on Galiano Island at the beautiful Eagles Nest Retreat. Led by master musician/ percussionist/ taiko player Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, the Taiko Camp workshops will consist of three 2 & 1/2 hour workshops in fue, shime-daiko and atarigane. Whether you’re a relative newcomer to taiko or an experienced performer Eien will help you take your skills to the next level. Affordably priced at $375 US or $450 CDN, which includes two nights accommodation,* continental breakfast+ and dinner Friday night and Saturday night, this is your opportunity for intimate study with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa.  To learn more about Eien, visit his website: www.eienhunterishikawa.com.

Situated above Active Pass, Eagles’ Nest Retreat visitors are treated not only to some of the most spectacular scenery in BC but daily sightings of eagles and, frequently, killer whales. Amenities include outdoor hot tub, wood-fired sauna, internet and easy access to hiking trails. Depending on numbers, camping may also be available. For photos, visit www.perfectretreat.com.

Early bird rates of $350 US or $415 CDN are available until April 25, 2015.

For more information or to register contact Jacob Derksen at bctaikocamp@gmail.com.

*Based on double occupancy.

The North American Taiko Conference (NATC) is a biennial event sponsored by the Taiko Community Alliance (TCA). Started in 1997, the conference was first held in Los Angeles, hosted by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, with the mission of supporting the growth of taiko in North America. The conference has become an essential element of the taiko community, with workshops and discussion sessions for players of all levels. NATC also features public performances featuring a wide variety of taiko groups. The conference is attended by virtually all of the taiko community’s leaders, along with hundreds of players from around the world.

The conference has alternated between Los Angeles Japantown and other West Coast locations. The conference has been held at Sacramento State University, the University of Washington, and Stanford University.

The 2015 conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).

NATC Goals
• Build a community of taiko groups in North America
• Share traditions and repertoire
• Support the artistic development of the art-form
• Document North American taiko history

NATC Conference Coordinator: Elise Fujimoto (elise@taikocommunityalliance.org)

CLICK for more info

Welcome to our new, refreshed website. It’s a fresh coat of paint, really, but we hope you enjoy browsing the content. You’ll find Vancouver -area taiko news along with links to upcoming shows and workshops. If you want to stay current with what’s going on in the local taiko scene please sign up on the right for notifications about new posts. You can also find links to all nine local groups along with a directory of regional taiko groups. Thanks for visiting!

KODO One Earth Tour
Mystery
Thursday January 29, 2015, 8:00pm
Queen Elizabeth Theatre 650 Hamilton Street

Tickets $69 / $59 / $49
NorthernTickets.com  604-569-1144 or 1-855-551-9747
918 Granville Street
INFO: www.kodo.or.jp / 604.683.8240

Kodo returns to Vancouver with their groundbreaking new production, Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery, a performance that will take you on a voyage to the extraordinary, to a mystical realm of ancient creatures, legends and powerful taiko music. Directed by famed kabuki artist and artistic director Tamasaburo Bando, Mystery promises to inspire both diehard fans and the uninitiated with Kodo’s heart throbbing beauty and energy.

Sponsored by Caravan World Rhythms, Powell Street Festival & Banyen Books

Come visit our new site!

Saturday, December 6
Doors 7pm / Show 7:30pm
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St. @ Dunsmuir
Tickets $25 regular & $15 students/seniors. General Admission. Available online at www.brownpapertickets.com

Katari Taiko, the first taiko group formed in Canada, is a constantly changing and intensely creative hybrid of Japanese and Canadian music. In celebration of its      35th Anniversary, Katari Taiko is presenting a special concert featuring its own contemporary and traditional music and that of guests, Chibi Taiko, Sansho Daiko, Sawagi Taiko and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko. All of the groups will join Katari Taiko in the premiere of a brand new collaborative work inspired by the return of the wild salmon to the Fraser River.

Katari Taiko has the distinction of being the first taiko drum group founded in Canada.  The group has developed a large and enthusiastic following since its inception in 1979, performing throughout Canada and the US, appearing in numerous festival and theatre settings.

Katari Taiko has built an extensive repertoire of both traditional and modern pieces, including original compositions. Their performances incorporate vocals, poetry and theatre. The synergy of the group, their joy and passion, together with the visceral experience of the drumming appeals to audiences of all ages and transcends cultural barriers.

Taiko music is rooted in the history of rural farming and fishing communities throughout Japan. Katari Taiko combines the traditional rhythms and discipline of the drums with the power of choreographed and improvisational movement.  Over the past three and a half decades, Katari Taiko has undergone many changes, but has always remained committed to bringing Japanese and Japanese-Canadian culture to the broader community; supporting grassroots initiatives and progressive causes; and balancing tradition with innovation.

Monday April 7th and April 14th, 2014
7:00pm to 10:00pm

$55/person ($40 for the underemployed/students)
Open to everyone over 16 years. A maximum of 15 spots are available.
This is a two-evening workshop, and cannot be registered for separately.
Registration confirmed upon receipt of payment.

This two-evening workshop will cover taiko basics (rhythm & taiko technique).
You will leave at the end of both workshops with the satisfaction of having learnt and performed an arrangement of a taiko song.
Pease bring water and a snack (there will be a 10-minute snack break).
Athletic attire and non-marking, soft-soled shoes are required.

For more information and/or to register, please contact
Jeanie at sawagitaiko@gmail.com

ONE DAY WORKSHOP: Sunday, February 2, 2014
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Learn about taiko history, notation, and basic rhythms at this one-day, hands-on workshop. At the end of the workshop, participants will have learned a taiko piece. No previous experience is necessary.

Venue: Taiko Space, Vancouver
Fee: $75 general or $50 for students/ seniors/ unemployed. Participants must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing, and bring a lunch. Bring soft-soled indoor athletic footwear, or be prepared to go barefoot – street shoes cannot be worn inside the taiko space. Water and juice will be provided.

Please call 604-683-8240 before sending the registration form and payment

Registration Form