How the group was formed:
Kaminari Wan Taiko (KWT) was formed in September 2011, thanks to a gift of taiko drums from their benefactor, Takafumi (Taka) Hirose, from Gifu, Japan. Taka had a long history with the city of Thunder Bay and the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association (LJCA), visiting often from Japan as a professor emeritus from Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University (part of student exchanges with Lakehead University) and also on his own to visit old friends. Taka had long wanted for taiko to be part of the LJCA community. In 2011, Tenku Taiko, a group from Seto, Japan (part of Gifu), was travelling to Canada and Taka arranged for them to not only stop in Thunder Bay to give a concert for the community, but they also brought a set of taiko drums with them, as a gift to the LJCA.
Tenku Taiko wowed the community with a concert and, that weekend, gave a 2-day beginner’s workshop to a large group of community members, teaching the first song, Taiko Bayashi. After the performance, a weekly group was formed to continue to practice what was learned. Although the group has seen many members come and go, many from this initial group are still members today.
Naming of the group and Honouring Taka:
At first, they were named “Takafumi Taiko”, in honour on their benefactor, but humble Taka, suggested the name “Kaminari”. Kaminari means ‘thunder’ in English. Kaminari also sounds like kamikaze. Kami means ‘God’, so kamikaze is ‘God’s wind’. Japan named the typhoons of 1274 and 1285 ‘kamikaze’ because both of them sank hundreds of ships that were sent by Kubilai Khan to attack Japan.
Kami-nari then, is ‘God’s Roar’ and Taka felt this was a good name for a group in Thunder Bay. The group learned that there are many taiko groups around the world named ‘Kaminari’ so they added the ‘wan’ to their name – Kaminar Wan Taiko – which then loosely translates to “Thunder Bay Drums”.
Still wanting to honour Taka, the group, with his permission, uses his family crest (Mon or kamon) on their clothing and such. The mon depicts two embracing myoga buds (Japanes ginger buds).
Taka was instrumental in Kaminari Wan Taiko visiting Japan to travel and to perform with Tenku Taiko, in both 2014 and 2019. He was not only their guide and chauffeur, but he welcomed them into his home and temple, Shimkyo-ji, where he was head priest.
Sadly, Taka passed away in 2020, but Kaminari Wan Taiko will always be grateful to the man who brought taiko to Thunder Bay. They could never thank him enough.
Drums:
Taka originally gave the LJCA a gift of six chu-daiko, two shime, two katsugi oke drums and a fue (flute). Later, Taka also gave KWT a set of happi coats that are specific to the cormorant fisherman in Gifu, Japan.These coats are only worn by them so Taka obtained special permission to obtain the happi coats and for the group to be allowed to wear them.
In 2014, Taka gifted an additional four chu-daiko and two shime drums to establish the drum inventory that KWT has today.
In 2019, Taka had happi coats specially made for the group, complete with Kaminari Wan Taiko written on them, and waves representing the lake we live on.
KWT cares for the drums, including replacing skins that have been damaged over the years. This process takes a lot of time and money, but is very rewarding.
Membership:
As the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association (LJCA) is housed within the West Thunder Community Centre, practices occur there in the gym on Sunday evenings. The taiko drums are stored in one of the LJCA’s offices. As the drums belong to the LJCA, all taiko members are required to be members of the LJCA, as well. Membership fees vary (with maximum cost being for families at $55).
KWT have broken up the calendar year into two sessions:
– Winter – from January to June
– Fall – from July to December
Each session is $250 per member (students are $200). Fees go to support the costs of workshops and replacement equipment, which add up very quickly.
Bringing in Beginners:
Due to the large learning curve, Kaminari Wan Taiko opens up new beginner classes only once every couple years. If you are interested in joining, follow KWT on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Workshops and Ongoing Education:
Kaminari Wan Taiko was lucky to connect with Fubuki Daiko from Winnipeg, Manitoba, very early on. Their founding members, Naomi Guilbert and Hiroshi Koshiyama come to Thunder Bay to instruct and refine KWT’s fundamentals and form. They have also helped guide KWT to write two of their own songs.
