Takohachi’s music Projects
Takohachi x
A New Unit Arises…
Yumi Torimaru, founder/director of talented Portland music group Takohachi forms another exciting and rejuvenating new unit called "Takohachi X (TakoX-’takoten’)".
Formed by the two Takohachi leaders, Yumi Torimaru and Kohei Kimura, the two amazing talents collaborate to take hands on yet another step up for the Takohachi organization to bring Japanese culture and Takohachi Originality to the community.
Yumi and Kohei lead Takohachi to enter the Internet Shinobue (bamboo flute) Contest 2019 in Japan. Takohachi became the first ever oversea champion for the competition, which culminated in a performance in Tokyo.
TakoX will feature incredible varieties of cultural, educational, motivational, and powerful performance/music featuring Tsugaru Shamisen, Shinobue (bamboo flute), Taiko, Katari (storytelling), and dances from old Japan history to new original compositions.
Many of Tako X's music will features Yumi Torimaru's innovative Shamisen/Fue duo composition pieces.
Q-ensemble
SMALL ENSEMBLE OF TAKOHACHI
Takohachi’s small ensemble, Tako Q was launched in 2017 by Yumi Torimaru to provide more intimate and customized performances to meet our community. Q for number nine (after eight, Hachi) in Japanese (九), Quieter, uniQue, Qute, yet Qrazy ! Tako Q has established kids’ shows for Washington County and Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service in 2019. Tako Q’s shows are filled with cultural, educational, and entertaining elements using various Japanese instruments (Taiko, Shinobue <Bamboo flutes>, Tsugaru Shamisen etc…) , stories, dances, singing from old to modern.
takohachi
Where did you first discover Takohachi? Perhaps it was at a Natsu Matsuri summer festival in Beaverton… perhaps it was at the Mochitsuki rice festival in Portland... or were you one of over 18,000 bike enthusiasts who stopped to watch us play from the top of Fremont Bridge during Bridge Pedal in August? Wherever it was that you first felt inspired to support Takohachi, we want you to know that your help is gratefully appreciated, and we ask that you renew your contribution as Takohachi celebrates 10 years of bringing Japanese culture, music, and joy to your community!
Since its inception in 2007, Takohachi has grown many times over, from a 4-member group to a crew that includes graphic designers, photographers, storytellers, and 10+ performing members, plus countless volunteers who have contributed to our success. We have played hundreds of shows in front of thousands of people.
maido mind (まいど真音道）Shinobue and Piano Duo
Yumi Torimaru and Nozomi Imade of NOZOMI MUSIC SCHOOL in Sherwood, Oregon present Maido Mind. Their unique music performances are now played at Portland Japanese Garden (almost) Monthly. Please check the schedule on the event page!
Nozomi (left) and Yumi (right)
Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl 2024 at Clark Community College, Vancouver, WA
🌟 School Overview & History
Founding: The school was launched in 2023 by acclaimed bilingual Japanese cultural educator and musician Yumi Torimaru (also known by her stage name, Oyama Kotori).
Organization: It operates directly under the umbrella of TAKOHACHI, a prominent Oregon-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and introducing traditional and contemporary Japanese music and dance.
Historic Milestone: It holds the distinction of being the very first Tsugaru Shamisen school in Oregon, establishing a dedicated space for this distinct, powerful style of three-stringed Japanese lute performance in the region.
🎵 Curriculum & Repertoire
Prestigious Lineage: Yumi Torimaru is a certified natori (master player) trained under master Ryuhiro Oyama of Oyama Kai. Oyama Kai is one of the largest, most prestigious, and most respected Tsugaru Shamisen organizations in Japan.
Traditional Materials: Leveraging this elite background, Yumi instructs her students using the authentic, rigorous traditional methodologies and repertoires passed down through this lineage.
Contemporary & Original Works: Blending the past with the future, the curriculum expands beyond classical folk songs (Minyo), with a guiding philosophy, “Onkochishin (温故知新). Yumi teaches contemporary arrangements as well as her own hybrid, original modern compositions.
🪕 Community & Performance
The Ensemble: The school's performance group, the Kotori Kai Shamisen Ensemble, brings these enchanting melodies to life live on stage.
Annual Showcases: The ensemble is highly active in the community, performing for several major cultural festivals and events yearly. They give students invaluable stage experience while sharing the striking, dynamic rhythms of the Tsugaru Shamisen with audiences across the region.