Bang the Drum: Taiko in Tacoma

Wendy Hamai, 74, dreamed of playing Japanese Taiko drums since the late 1970’s. Her dream was fulfilled when she and other Taiko enthusiasts founded the first Taiko group in Tacoma at the Tacoma Buddhist Temple in 2009. She then developed a community Taiko education program in 2010 which made it easier for more people to experience the excitement of learning and playing Taiko without the stress of performance.

Directed by Joanne Lisosky, this film was made with support from Tacoma Creates and the Tacoma Buddhist Temple.