They began playing taiko in 1969 when a few third-generation Japanese Americans gathered after an Obon festival and had an impromptu experimental session on an odaiko drum.
They contributed largely to the development of kumi-daiko in North America with their innovation of wine barrel drums and their extensive outreach to other Japanese American Buddhist communities in helping start other temple-based taiko groups.
All who are willing to play are welcomed, and most members are either affiliated with Senshin Temple or collegiate taiko players looking for a group to join.
Tom Kurai – Taiko Center of Los Angeles, Satori Daiko, Shizen Daiko -Bruce Arikawa – Togen Daiko Kinnara's sound is based in the tradition of Japanese and Japanese American festival drumming, but they also blend these traditional Japanese rhythms with American musical influences from rock to jazz to R&B to reflect the experience and lifestyles of its members in Southern California.
In the beginning their original compositions were vague copies of the Japanese recordings and pictures they were given, but other influences were drawn from African music as well.
They encourage participation by anybody interested in both taiko or Buddhism, and keep their practices very informal with no organized routines or schedules.