Ho Etsu Taiko

Ho Etsu Taiko brings a passionate energy and lively spirit to the rich tradition of taiko drumming. Ho Etsu means ‘a manner in which to spread joy’, and this idea centers our philosophy. We bring a bright, energizing sound to the stage to infuse taiko’s cultural legacy with new vitality, bridging the tradition through fresh experiences and influences.

Ho Etsu formed in 1997 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood. The original Midwest Buddhist Temple taiko group was the first ensemble in Chicago, born in the 1970s during the earliest wave of Japanese-American taiko. From these deep roots, Ho Etsu blossomed. Under the direction of Lynne & Jerry Matsumoto, the Temple’s youth created an off-shoot ensemble, learning traditional drumming styles with an emphasis on self-expression and artistic creativity.

Over the years, new generations of taiko players have continued the Ho Etsu tradition. Our group remains gratefully and inextricably linked with the Midwest Buddhist Temple and our latest incarnation seeks to embrace players of all backgrounds willing to contribute intensity, drive and creativity to the practice of taiko.

Ho Etsu has performed extensively throughout Chicago and the greater Midwest region.  We have been invited by our friends, Tsukasa Taiko, to perform as guests artists at such venues as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Cultural Center. We have entertained guests at private parties, community events and festivals throughout the greater Midwest, and performed for our peers during the national taiko conference in Los Angeles.  In August of every year, we return to our home in Chicago’s Old Town district to play our favorite venue – the Midwest Buddhist Temple’s Ginza Holiday stage!

Ho Etsu finds joy in learning, studying, performing and sharing taiko. We continue to develop our talents as a group and as individuals, and hope to share our passion with your community soon.

The Ho Etsu Players!

Emily Harada  Emily has been a member of Ho Etsu for 12 years.  She likes to solo like a crazy person and play drums really hard.  Outside of Taiko she goes for long runs on the beach and dreams of one day getting her own puppy.  She is currently an alumni member and attends the University of Wisconsin.
Donny Ha Donny doesn’t have an interesting story about how he was first exposed to taiko.  He is just an engineer from Chicago who likes music and drums and thought playing taiko would be fun.  He joined Hoetsu and the rest is history…
Adam Imaoka Adam has played taiko since he was 7 years old. He loves playing and enjoys competing with his older sister.  When he’s not playing he likes to go out and play sports. Adam is currently a student at St. Patrick High School.
Alexa Imaoka Alexa has been playing taiko since she was seven; first with the Dharma School group through the Midwest Buddhist Temple and then with Ho Etsu.  She is currently a junior in college majoring in secondary education but still finds time in her busy schedule to play with the group.
Dana Johnson Dana is one of the more junior members of Ho Etsu having joined in Fall 2010.  Previously, she had taken taiko lessons in Tokyo and upon her return to Chicago she was thrilled to find a  group of young, excellent taiko players willing to let her jam with them.  She still has a lot to learn from her senpai (senior members).
Gene Kafka  Gene has been playing taiko sporadically after he was formally introduced to it as an undergraduate in Maine. On the weekends, as a way to break up his daily grind out in the plains of Illinois, he likes to break a sweat while engaging the physical and spiritual sides of his being in the single act of beating taiko drums. “Sometimes,” says Gene, “when the beat is just right, and your mind is open to the cosmos, playing Taiko is the best [experience] in the world.”
Carley Matsumoto Carley has been playing taiko since she was 8 years old. Since then taiko has become one of the most consistent and enjoyable activities in her life. She is currently an alumni member attending Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Though it’s on the other side of the country she is always looking forward to coming home and picking up right where she left off with her fellow Ho Etsu members.
Jason Matsumoto Jason grew up playing Taiko in Chicago with the Midwest Buddhist Temple’s youth group.  The youth group eventually formed into Ho Etsu Taiko and Jason continued to play throughout high school.  While attending the University of Washington, he joined a Seattle-based group called Tsunami Taiko.  Since returning to Chicago, he has been active in the Taiko community, frequently collaborating with JASC Tsukasa Taiko and the MIYUMI project, a fusion jazz ensemble based in Chicago.  In 2008, Jason returned to his roots, assuming the role as director of Ho Etsu Taiko.
Lannie Su Lannie has been with Ho Etsu since 2009.  Originally from Oklahoma, she always wanted to learn Taiko but did not have the resources.  After moving to Chicago, an old friend introduced her to Jason Matsumoto, director of Ho Etsu.  And that is how Ho Etsu started incorporating new members.  Lannie loves everything about Taiko – especially the positive energy that it generates!
Ryan Toguri Ryan, a fourth generation Japanese American, was born and raised in Chicago, IL.  He started learning Taiko at the age of 7 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT).  Since then, he has been able to perform with many Taiko groups, including the MBT Taiko group and San-gen Daiko.  He was, also, a member of a jazz-fusion big band, The Miyumi Project.  In 2007, Ryan moved, briefly, to California.  During his time in CA, he had the opportunity to apprentice with San Jose Taiko.  Since returning to Chicago in 2009, Ryan has found a new path in joining Ho Etsu Taiko. Ryan brings his experience and hardworking skills to this very exciting group.

 

Newest Ho Etsu Members

Ho Etsu Taiko would like to welcome the following newest members to our group:

Dorothy Mita

Tiana Pyer-Pereira

Mike Sarchet

Alexa Tang

We look forward to performing with them in the future!

 

Esteemed Ho Etsu Alumni

 

Andrew Rowland

Bachi preference: Kashi

Andrew began playing at Midwest Buddhist Temple’s youth group at the age of eight.  In college he performed with San Francisco Taiko Dojo and collaborated with various performers.  He then founded and co-directed Cal Taiko at the University of California, Berkeley.  He is currently an alumni member of Ho Etsu and lives in the SF Bay Area.