Viewfinder: Tamagawa University Taiko Drum and Dance Group

The following information was provided by Ursinus College:

Tamagawa University Taiko Drum and Dance Group performed at Ursinus College's Kaleidoscope Lenfest Theater this week.  

At this performance, members of Ursinus student groups collected funds to assist in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11. 

Funds are collected on behalf of the on behalf of the Philadelphia Japan Disaster Relief Fund, which is administered by the Japan American Society of Greater Philadelphia, the sponsor of the Tamagawa University Taiko and Dance Ensemble. These donations will be sent in entirety to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The Tamagawa University Taiko and Dance Ensemble contains nearly 30 drummers performing taiko drumming and Japanese folk dance in both traditional and modern styles. It is one of Japan’s top-ranked taiko groups, and comes from the top performing arts university, The College of Arts at Tamagawa University in Tokyo.

In addition, a special fund is being developed at Ursinus to accept donations on behalf of its sister institution, Tohoku Gakuin University (TGU), located in Sendai, Japan—a region hard hit by the earthquake and tsunami. Many families in that area have hosted Ursinus students during the Japanese Summer Study Program.

TGU, which has suffered substantial damage to its facilities, has delayed the start of its spring semester, and has cancelled the Summer Study in Japan program scheduled for mid-May through June, which was to celebrate 30 years sending Ursinus students to Japan.