Taiko is about community.
Taiko, Japanese drumming transcends all cultures and it is universal and anyone can do it. Participants from different ethnic backgrounds will work with each other to create music and learn to be open to the cultural traditions of others. Taiko education provides a path for individuals to discover, develop, and pursue their life skills and interests.
en Taiko played and practiced on old garbage bins. At first, en Taiko began as a means of teaching kids at schools, where music class was no longer offered. Drastic public school budget cuts continue to deprive students of the demonstrated benefits of formal music education. The practice and performances by en Taiko help fill this gap, by providing students with discipline, camaraderie, listening skills, and structure–all essential components of Japanese taiko.
In April 2012, en Taiko became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Status number: 27- 2180026
What is the mission?
To foster a community where participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds create music while learning each other’s traditions, enTaiko, builds an inclusive community through Japanese taiko drumming. We empower youth and adult artists of all abilities with high-quality, culturally specific arts education that balances tradition and innovation. Through performances, workshops, and collaborations, we promote leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and creative expression—ensuring access for underserved, disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse communities since 2007.
About Taiko
The word, “Taiko” in Japanese literally means great or wide drum. It refers most commonly to a distinctive form of drumming that has its roots in ancient Japanese culture. But Taiko also describes the art form of modern Japanese drum ensembles, as well as the physical drums used by these groups.
enTaiko offers taiko instruction, performance, and international exchange.
Our youth taiko classes meet in afterschool sessions throughout the school year. Some of these students audition to become “Senior” students and join our traveling performing ensemble.
The enTaiko performing ensemble visits schools, libraries, and community centers throughout Oregon performing new taiko works for diverse audiences with guest artists from taiko and other disciplines.
We partner with PHAME and GATHERED Danceability group to teach and perform with adults with disabilities.
We also teach youth during the school day through artist in residence programs like Arts for Learning Northwest.
We offer an annual summer camp that combines taiko instruction with Japanese language and culture immersion.
Kazuyo Ito, Artistic Director
Kazuyois a taiko artist, educator, composer, and founder and Artistic Director of enTaiko in Portland, Oregon. Trained by taiko masters Takemasa Ishikura and Jyotaro Yoshimura, she brings extensive performance and teaching experience, including work at schools, arts programs, and Portland State University.
Kazuyo’s artistic practice expands Japanese taiko through inclusive and interdisciplinary collaboration. She creates original music and works with Deaf and disabled artists, dancers, classical musicians, breakdancers, and youth. Her recent work explores taiko beyond sound—through vibration, movement, and visual communication—while remaining connected to its cultural roots.
