Members

Sensei Etsuo Hongo

Etsuo Hongo was born in Tokyo and studied taiko in Japan with the renowned taiko group Oedo Sukeroku. He wanted to bring his experiences with taiko to Los Angeles, and formed the Los Angeles Matsuri Taiko in October of 1977. The discipline of his instruction stresses not only drumming techniques but also tries to reflect the culture and spirit of Japan. He formed the San Fernando Valley Mugen Taiko group in 1989 as part of his continuing efforts to further taiko in America and preserve the culture and heritage of Japan for future generations. He has also arranged a Junior Taiko Group, whose members range in age from 7 to 13 years of age.

Hongo Sensei has worked with Venice Koshin Taiko since 1993, acting as advisor, mentor and collaborator. His teachings include not only the technical aspects of taiko drumming, but the discipline, etiquette and spirit of the drum, equally imporant elements of learning taiko. He has written several original compositions for the group, which are performed to this day.

Anne Marie Gillen	Virginia Minami
Kevin Lee	Lori Miyakawa
Wesley Hayashi	Eileen Hlavka
Lauren Wong	Max Kobayakawa
Paul Durant	Scott Minami
Carmen Ibarra-Whiting