BIOGRAPHY: WALTER TSUSHIMA
Taiko Artist | Martial Artist
Before finding taiko, Walter Tsushima was a serious practitioner of the martial arts,
training in various disciplines such as Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Judo, and Tang Soo
Do. A martial arts weapons champion at age 17 and still active today, Walter is
currently a 4th degree master instructor of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan at the
Paramount Karate and Weapons Federation under Grandmaster Hans Luehr and
Grandmaster Michael Garcia. Walter is also studying under Grandmaster Mark Cox of
Chatsworth Karate in American Tang Soo Do for his 3rd degree black belt.
Chatsworth Karate is under the American Tang Soo Do Alliance led by Grandmaster
Dennis Ichikawa.
Walter first encountered taiko in 1999 with UCLA Kyodo Taiko, the first collegiate
taiko group in North America. During his time at UCLA, Walter was also instrumental
in the creation of a dynamic taiko ensemble called, Nishikaze Taiko, which performed
seasonally in Anaheim at Downtown Disneyland, under the direction of Bruce "Mui"
Ghent, the head Sensei of Maikaze Daiko of San Francisco.
Moving to Ishikawa, Japan in 2002, Walter started training under Mitsuru Kurata of the
Wajima Kiriko Taiko Hozonkai. Walter performed on tour, competed in the annual
Taiko-uchi Kyogikai taiko contest and gave numerous taiko workshops as a member of
the Hozonkai.
Walter was also given special permission to study a traditional Japanese folk art known
as Gojinjo Daiko. Following strict restrictions, only people born and raised in Nabune
Village of Wajima City are allowed to practice and perform their folk art of Gojinjo
Daiko. Being able to study and perform under the Gojinjo Daiko Hozonkai is
considered a very high honor. The only other two individuals with connections to
Gojinjo Daiko are Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and
master taiko drummer, Kenny Endo. Gojinjo Daiko is recognized in Japan as an
Indigenous National Treasure.
In 2003, Walter established a new kumi-daiko group in a remote village called, Nishiho
of Wajima City after receiving requests from the local community and PTA to
revitalize the area. Nishiho is a small, fishing village whose festivals had gradually
disappeared over time. The creation of Nishiho Aranami Daiko has been the catalyst
to the revival of Nishiho Village and today they are thriving in their own right.
Taking a short break from Japan in 2005, Walter relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii to
pursue more taiko training with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble and was accepted
into their trainee fellowship program. Kenny Endo is an internationally renowned
master taiko artist and is regarded as one of the best in the world.
Various artistic collaborations include recordings with the Suburban Legends on their
album entitled, "Rump Shaker," (2003) produced by Oingo Boingo's John Avila, with
hip-hop artist, Apoetnomadali, opening for The Dream & Christina Milian (2009),
soundtrack recordings for the film, "Jacked," (2010) produced by Brian Han with
director, David Arcos and Mateo Messina an Academy Award winning soundtrack
composer.
Walter is an officially certified instructor of the Kiriko style of taiko. He was granted
permission by the Wajima Kiriko Taiko Hozonkai to teach the Kiriko style of taiko
outside of Japan and is the first to do so. Walter has since opened his own taiko
school. Graduating with a Master's degree in Japan Cultural Studies from Teikyo
Graduate University in 2008, Walter is also an accomplished field researcher on the
"Noto Kiriko Festivals."
Taiko Artist | Martial Artist
Before finding taiko, Walter Tsushima was a serious practitioner of the martial arts,
training in various disciplines such as Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Judo, and Tang Soo
Do. A martial arts weapons champion at age 17 and still active today, Walter is
currently a 4th degree master instructor of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan at the
Paramount Karate and Weapons Federation under Grandmaster Hans Luehr and
Grandmaster Michael Garcia. Walter is also studying under Grandmaster Mark Cox of
Chatsworth Karate in American Tang Soo Do for his 3rd degree black belt.
Chatsworth Karate is under the American Tang Soo Do Alliance led by Grandmaster
Dennis Ichikawa.
Walter first encountered taiko in 1999 with UCLA Kyodo Taiko, the first collegiate
taiko group in North America. During his time at UCLA, Walter was also instrumental
in the creation of a dynamic taiko ensemble called, Nishikaze Taiko, which performed
seasonally in Anaheim at Downtown Disneyland, under the direction of Bruce "Mui"
Ghent, the head Sensei of Maikaze Daiko of San Francisco.
Moving to Ishikawa, Japan in 2002, Walter started training under Mitsuru Kurata of the
Wajima Kiriko Taiko Hozonkai. Walter performed on tour, competed in the annual
Taiko-uchi Kyogikai taiko contest and gave numerous taiko workshops as a member of
the Hozonkai.
Walter was also given special permission to study a traditional Japanese folk art known
as Gojinjo Daiko. Following strict restrictions, only people born and raised in Nabune
Village of Wajima City are allowed to practice and perform their folk art of Gojinjo
Daiko. Being able to study and perform under the Gojinjo Daiko Hozonkai is
considered a very high honor. The only other two individuals with connections to
Gojinjo Daiko are Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and
master taiko drummer, Kenny Endo. Gojinjo Daiko is recognized in Japan as an
Indigenous National Treasure.
In 2003, Walter established a new kumi-daiko group in a remote village called, Nishiho
of Wajima City after receiving requests from the local community and PTA to
revitalize the area. Nishiho is a small, fishing village whose festivals had gradually
disappeared over time. The creation of Nishiho Aranami Daiko has been the catalyst
to the revival of Nishiho Village and today they are thriving in their own right.
Taking a short break from Japan in 2005, Walter relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii to
pursue more taiko training with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble and was accepted
into their trainee fellowship program. Kenny Endo is an internationally renowned
master taiko artist and is regarded as one of the best in the world.
Various artistic collaborations include recordings with the Suburban Legends on their
album entitled, "Rump Shaker," (2003) produced by Oingo Boingo's John Avila, with
hip-hop artist, Apoetnomadali, opening for The Dream & Christina Milian (2009),
soundtrack recordings for the film, "Jacked," (2010) produced by Brian Han with
director, David Arcos and Mateo Messina an Academy Award winning soundtrack
composer.
Walter is an officially certified instructor of the Kiriko style of taiko. He was granted
permission by the Wajima Kiriko Taiko Hozonkai to teach the Kiriko style of taiko
outside of Japan and is the first to do so. Walter has since opened his own taiko
school. Graduating with a Master's degree in Japan Cultural Studies from Teikyo
Graduate University in 2008, Walter is also an accomplished field researcher on the
"Noto Kiriko Festivals."
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