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I Honor My Heritage

Kanna Jinno, 10, of Illinois, plays traditional Japanese drums.

May 10, 2021
By Kanna Jinno, age 10

Courtesy of family

For hundreds of years, people in Japan have played large wooden drums called taiko (ty-koh). Today I play taiko to celebrate my Japanese American culture!

When I was 5, my family was at a Japanese market in Chicago when we saw a local taiko group performing. It was so interesting. I asked if I could take lessons.

My sensei (sehn-say), or teacher, showed me how to stand properly and hold the sticks, called bachi (bah-chee). She taught me how to hit the top and sides of the drum to make different sounds. I began memorizing different songs.

courtesy of family

Kota and Kanna

I still take lessons every Sunday with my little brother, Kota. On other days, I practice by piling pillows on the couch and pretending they’re a drum. About once a week in summer, our taiko group performs for audiences. On those days, I wear a special jacket, headband, and shoes. They are clothes traditionally worn in Japan for festivals.

I plan to keep playing taiko and may even play professionally one day. I am proud of my heritage, and I want to express it!

courtesy of family

Kanna (center) and Kota (left) perform with Tsukasa Taiko.

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