It is known for its maintenance of traditional practices and for cultivating one of the earliest taiko groups appearing in the United States under the leadership of Masao Kodani.
[2] Its most recent leader, Masao Kodani, encouraged younger Japanese-Americans in the 1970s to explore their ethnic and religious roots through various events coordinated at the temple, such as its annual Obon festival.
Third-generation Japanese-American members of the church played taiko drum for four hours during the festival.
Reportedly, their hands were bleeding afterwards, and collectively, they formed the group known as Kinnara Taiko.
[1] Taiko continues to be a routine activity at the church, and some have suggested that it is effective at drawing in third- and fourth-generation Japanese-Americans into the Buddhist faith.