Taiko: is it worth sacrificing cultural identity for progress?: Chris Holland at TEDxTodai

Chris Holland grew up playing taiko at the Denver Buddhist Temple in Colorado, USA. A decades-long search for his cultural roots led him on a journey from Colorado, to Hawaii, and finally to Tokyo, to study and perform taiko. Chris has performed at numerous concerts and festivals all over the world, including pivotal events in Japan such as the Skytree Grand Opening. He made history early on as the first foreigner ever to teach at a Japan Taiko Foundation examination. Chris is a core member of the professional ensemble Taikoshudan Amanojaku, under the tutelage of master taiko player Watanabe Yoichi, and currently teaches children at the Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten Studio in Asakusa.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
クリス・ホランド
アメリカのコロラド州にあるデンバー寺で和太鼓に触れて育つ。長年にわたり、彼は自らの文化的ルーツを辿るため、和太鼓の腕を磨き、演奏をつづけ、コロラドからハワイ、そして東京へと旅を続けてきた。スカイツリーのオープニングセレモニーなどの日本の主要なイベントを含め、世界中のコンサートや祭典で公演を行う。また、外国人で初めて、日本太鼓協会の公認指導員となった。現在は、和太鼓の第一人者である渡辺洋一主催のプロ集団である太鼓集団天邪鬼の中心的メンバーとして活躍するとともに、浅草の宮本卯之助商店にて子どもへの和太鼓の指導も行なっている。

[@sasentaiko]

Thank you for baring a piece of your soul. Beautiful storytelling, powerful contrast of artistic tools, and lovely playing. I don’t remember what led me to put this video on my watch later, or even how many years ago, but I am so glad I finally saw this.

[@morbidbushido]

That was really nice, thanks for the talk Chris

[@KennyYehYeh]

Amazing work, Chris! Way to represent the 303!

[@AnnieGuo303]

Wow Chris! Awesome!! Denver is so proud of you! =)

[@IsakuKageyama]

Nice job Chris!