Taiko has been in North America for over 50 years now! There is a growing cohort who were part of the first “generation” of taiko players in the 1960s through early 1980s, who are now in their 60’s, 70’s, and older, as well as those of us who started playing taiko at an older age. “Baba” is a Japanese term for “old woman” or "grandmother.” We’re taking back the sometimes insulting term “Oni Baba” to proudly define it as an older person who has spirit and power! People of all gender identities are welcome to come!
Please join us for an informal forum discussion on what it means to us to be an older taiko player, and what we would like it to mean. It’s an opportunity to share, support and explore together. Discussion questions could include: What will taiko be for us when we can’t play like we did before? How can groups deal with their aging members and what makes them inclusive or non-inclusive? How have our values around taiko changed as we’ve gotten older? What new ideas can we come up with for ourselves? Any other questions you want to bring to the discussion are open as well. The forum discussion will be facilitated by Barbara Yasui (Northwest Taiko) and Wendy Hamai (Issho Open Taiko) who are both in their 70’s and are excited to have this discussion with others.
