Kenny Endo: A Journey Through the Art of Taiko
The path to mastering an art form often requires a blend of passion, cultural reconnection, and immense discipline. For Kenny Endo, this journey led him from the jazz clubs of San Francisco to the traditional drumming circles of Japan, and eventually to the shores of Hawaii. His career is a testament to the fusion of contemporary musical influence and the preservation of ancient Japanese traditions.
Early Musical Foundations
Endo's early musical interests were diverse, heavily influenced by rock and jazz. While he initially played with Kinnara Taiko during the Obon festival season, he sought a deeper level of practice. This ambition led him to study with Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo (SFTD) during a summer break. After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1976, Endo moved to San Francisco to further his training with SFTD, balancing his days studying taiko and his nights performing as a jazz musician.
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By 1979, Endo faced a pivotal career crossroads: pursue a professional jazz career in New York City or commit to the study of taiko in Japan. Driven by a desire to reconnect with his cultural roots and a love for percussion, he chose the latter. In 1980, he moved to Japan for what was intended to be a one-year study trip, which ultimately extended into a decade of immersive learning.
Mastering the Traditions of Japan
During his ten years in Japan, Endo dedicated himself to mastering three distinct styles of Japanese drumming:
- Kumi-daiko: The art of ensemble or group drumming.
- Hogaku hayashi: Classical Japanese drumming.
- Matsuri bayashi: Traditional festival music.
His professional progression began with a six-month tenure with O Suwa Daiko before he relocated to Tokyo in late 1980. There, he studied with Sukeroku Taiko and later joined Oedo Sukeroku Taiko in 1982, remaining with the group until 1987. By 1983, Endo began expanding his reach through freelance work and duets, eventually transitioning to a solo career in 1987, where he focused on both performance and original composition.
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The Honor of Natori
One of Endo's most significant achievements in Japan was receiving a natori in hogaku hayashi. A natori is a professional stage name that serves as both a performance identity and a license to teach. Endo made history as the first non-Japanese citizen to receive this high honor, adopting the stage name Mochizuki Tajiro.
Establishing the Taiko Center of the Pacific
In 1990, Endo transitioned to a new chapter in Honolulu, Hawaii, after receiving a scholarship from the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii (UH). Alongside his wife, Chizuko Endo, and their two sons, Miles and Zen, he pursued graduate studies in Ethnomusicology—the study of music in its social and cultural contexts—to document his extensive research in Japan.
While at the university, Endo began teaching taiko through a non-credit program. The popularity of these classes grew rapidly, eventually exceeding the capacity of the university's facilities. In 1994, the classes moved off-campus to a chapel at Kapiolani Community College, marking the birth of the Taiko Center of the Pacific (TCP). Today, TCP serves as a hub for both traditional and contemporary drumming, offering inclusive instruction for students ranging from age 2 to seniors, including specialized classes for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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Key Facts
- First Foreigner Natori: Kenny Endo was the first non-Japanese person to earn a natori (teaching license/stage name) in hogaku hayashi.
- Stage Name: His professional classical name is Mochizuki Tajiro.
- Three Disciplines: He mastered kumi-daiko (group), hogaku hayashi (classical), and matsuri bayashi (festival).
- Educational Background: He holds a degree from UCLA and pursued graduate studies in Ethnomusicology at the University of Hawaii.
- TCP Mission: The Taiko Center of the Pacific provides inclusive drumming education for all ages and abilities.
| Period/Year | Location | Key Achievement/Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | San Francisco | Studied with San Francisco Taiko Dojo (SFTD) |
| 1980–1990 | Japan | Mastered three taiko styles; earned Natori honor |
| 1990 | Honolulu, HI | Graduate studies in Ethnomusicology at UH |
| 1994 | Honolulu, HI | Founded Taiko Center of the Pacific (TCP) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a natori in the context of Japanese drumming?
A natori is a professional stage name that functions as both a performance identity and a formal license to teach the art form. Kenny Endo was the first foreigner to receive this honor in the field of hogaku hayashi.
What are the three types of drumming Kenny Endo mastered?
Endo mastered kumi-daiko (group drumming), hogaku hayashi (classical drumming), and matsuri bayashi (festival music).
What is the Taiko Center of the Pacific?
Founded in 1994, the Taiko Center of the Pacific (TCP) is a school in Hawaii that teaches traditional and contemporary Japanese drumming to people of all ages and abilities, including the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
How did jazz influence Kenny Endo's career?
Before committing fully to taiko, Endo was a jazz musician in San Francisco. His love for jazz and rock music influenced his early musicality before he chose to move to Japan to study the roots of drumming.
Where did Kenny Endo study ethnomusicology?
He pursued his graduate studies in ethnomusicology at the University of Hawaii after receiving a scholarship through the East-West Center.