The final day of the 2012 Nisei Week Festival (Aug. 19) included an all-day “Taiko Gathering” in the plaza of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo, with each group showing off its own unique style. Pictured above is L.A. Matsuri Taiko, which practices at Nishi Hongwanji in Little Tokyo.Koshin Taiko from Venice Japanese Community Center.Yoki Daiko from Tenrikyo Church.Kishin Daiko from East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.Senryu Taiko, one of the country’s few intercollegiate taiko groups.Myo-On Taiko from SGI USA. Also featured were Togen Daiko from Oxnard Buddhist Temple; the L.A. branch of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko, an Okinawan drumming group; and Kodama Taiko from the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute. Rodney Kageyama served as emcee and 2012 Nisei Week Queen Emily Michi Iijima Folick and her court made an appearance.
