UCLA Kyodo Taiko
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Using his training at San Jose Taiko,[citation needed] Mark Honda founded Kyodo Taiko in 1990 under the Nikkei Student Union (NSU) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[3] Originally there was no practice space for the group and no instruments to play. Thus, members of Kyodo practiced “air bachi,” where the players would practice by hitting on an imaginary drum. In the summer of 1991, members of Kyodo built their first four chu-daiko drums, with the help of Tom Endo and Kinnara Taiko's Kevin Higa.[4]
The group gave their first major performance in February 1992 at Royce Hall on the 50th anniversary of the Japanese American internment, wherein 175 UCLA students were interned.[2][5]
Following Honda's graduation, Kyodo officially separated from the Nikkei Student Union. Subsequently, they began receiving funding, gained permission to utilize the John Wooden Center as their practice space, and garnered support from UCLA.[citation needed] Many members, such as Portland Taiko director Michelle Fujii and Los Angeles Taiko Institute principal Yuta Kato, have gone on to play professionally.[6][7]