Sawagi Taiko is the first all-women taiko group in Canada founded in 1990. We are a multi-generational group of women of East Asian and Indigenous heritage, brought together by our shared passion for the Japanese drum. “Sawagi” means “cause a commotion” in Japanese. With thunderous drum beats, stirring vocals, and martial-arts inspired choreography, we share the empowerment and exhilaration we feel through taiko with our diverse audiences. We harness the power of the drum to support feminist and social justice ideals. Our spirit, creativity and respect for one another can be felt both on and off the stage.
Taiko means big drum, and it dates back to creation myths of Japan. Throughout history, the drum has played an integral role in Japanese culture. During the past 40 years, the playing of taiko has developed into an ensemble performing art.
Many groups began forming in the late 1960s as young Asian Americans embraced taiko as an expression of their culture and heritage. Seiichi Tanaka, the sensei at the San Francisco Taiko Dojo, gave many of the North American groups their first workshops and taught them the basic skills of taiko. He was instrumental in the spread of taiko across North America. The immigrated form of Asian North American taiko is influenced by many different styles of music- Chinese, Japanese, North American, African, Latin American- as taiko composers have been influenced by all of the musical influences in their contemporary surroundings. Sawagi Taiko's compositions also incorporate many different musical influences, including the Chicago blues, rap, and traditional Japanese folk songs.
In 1990, the year Sawagi formed, most of the members were already part of Vancouver's Katari Taiko and had several years of drumming experience. After playing as Katari Taiko at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, the members playing thought it would be most appropriate to form a separate all-women's group. Sawagi Taiko was born! Other all-women's groups in Canada include LOUD! and RAW. Since forming, Sawagi has taken part in several women's music festivals and a large variety of other events, locally and across the U.S.A. Over the years, there have been different group members; however, the group has always been a consistent seven or eight members.
Taiko is an ancient Japanese form of percussion using large drums. The drums range in size from roughly a snare drum ("shime"), to drums as large as a car (the "o-daiko"). The most common drum size in taiko is the "chu-daiko" which is the size of a wine barrel.
The arts have always flourished in the immigrant Asian communities. However, these arts have been buried in the stereotypes of Asians as quiet and hardworking but basically mechanical and uncreative. Sawagi Taiko is our vehicle to show the power and creativity of Asian culture, particularly of Asian women. We offer an alternative to the stereotype of Asian women as quiet and demure. As well, the opportunity to work in a group composed only of Asian women is very empowering in North American society.
Working from a common cultural basis nurtures a mutually supportive environment in which all members' talents are easily facilitated. In Sawagi Taiko we are exploring a different way of working together artistically, trying to encourage and support each other's creative initiatives. The camaraderie and personal connections that we foster in the group translate into a group intimacy in performance that audiences notice and enjoy.
SAWAGI TAIKO
Sawagi Taiko and Tzo’Kam
Rally for Social Housing
Powell Street Festival 2015
Sacred Circle Society
Workshop
Feel the Passion
Powell Street Festival 2016
Heart Of The City Festival
Powell Street Festival 2017
Heart Of The City Festival
Powell Street Festival 2017
Heart Of The City Festival
Matsuri at PSF 2018
Nobori PSF 2017
Terrace Workshop
Momentum
Nobori
Sawagi Taiko
Taiko in Canada
SAWAGI TAIKO
Sawagi Taiko and Tzo’Kam
Rally for Social Housing
Powell Street Festival 2015
Sacred Circle Society
Workshop
Feel the Passion
Powell Street Festival 2016
Heart Of The City Festival
Powell Street Festival 2017
Heart Of The City Festival
Powell Street Festival 2017
Heart Of The City Festival
Matsuri at PSF 2018
Nobori PSF 2017
Terrace Workshop
Momentum
Nobori
Sawagi Taiko
Taiko in Canada
Please see our requirements below under CONTACT US.
To book us for a performance please include the PERFORMANCE DETAILS in the message box along with this
FORM.
Or email us the required details directly at sawagitaiko@gmail.com
Vancouver, BC
(604) - 876 - 7358
Event Location
Type of Audience
Length of Performance
Coverage if outside (rain or sun)
Storage for drum bags & cases while on site
Change & warm up room (close to washrooms)
Parking for (approx.) 3-4 vehicles while on site
Minimum stage/performance area: 30ft W x 20ft D
Stay tuned for more information about upcoming workshops.
To book us for a performance please fill out the contact form or email us directly at sawagitaiko@gmail.com
Performance at Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver, BC
Performance at Woodwards Atrium, Vancouver, BC
Music Video Shoot in Downtown Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
Performance at Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, Vancouver, BC
Performance at Vancouver Japanese Language, Vancouver, BC
Peformance at SFU World Arts Centre, Vancouver, BC
Performance at Sheraton Hotel, Vancouver, BC
Performance at the Fraser Valley Institution for Women, Abbotsford, BC
Performance for the elderly at Amenida Seniors’ Community Surrey, BC
Heart of the City Festival, Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, BC – Sawagi Taiko set and additional performance as part of the Against the Current collaboration
Performance at David Lloyd George Elementary School Vancouver, BC
Performance at Cambie Secondary, Richmond, BC
Performance with Katari Taiko, City Hall Council Chambers, Vancouver
Performance with Alcvin Ramos at the Shishalh Longhouse Nation Longhouse, Sechelt, BC and workshop at Frank West Hall
Alexander Street in front of the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, Vancouver, BC
Performance at Princess + Hastings Street, Vancouver
Performance at Nikkei Heritage Centre, Burnaby, B.C.
Performance at Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC
Performance at North Shore Women’s Centre, Centennial Theatre, NorthVancouver BC
Performance at BC Government Employees Union, Nikkei Place, Burnaby, BC