ROU -enTaiko - Deaf & Hard Hearing Taiko Ensembles from Japan

ROU — enTaiko Concert 2026 -

Featuring Kobiki (Osaka) & Yumenko (Tokyo) Japan
Special Guests: Gathered–DanceAbility (Portland) & Matsuriza (Orlando, FL)

enTaiko presents ROU, a powerful performance celebrating Deaf artistry, cross-cultural collaboration, and the future of inclusive taiko.

This year features two renowned Deaf taiko artists making their first Portland appearance: Kobiki from Osaka and Yumenko from Tokyo, Jpaan. Their work reveals how Deaf drummers experience rhythm through vibration, movement, and visual musicality—offering audiences a rare chance to experience taiko beyond sound.

ROU—a Japanese word referring to Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities—brings Deaf and hearing performers together on one stage. The result is a vibrant, deeply expressive evening that expands how we understand rhythm, communication, and connection.

We also welcome Gathered–DanceAbility, an inclusive dance company whose collaboration with enTaiko blends movement.

Join us at the PCC Sylvania Performing Arts Center for an unforgettable evening that celebrates culture, accessibility, and the power of inclusive performance.

100% of proceeds support enTaiko, helping us sustain community partnerships, provide scholarships, and increase access to the arts.

YUMENKO is a Tokyo-based taiko performance ensemble founded by Deaf taiko artist TETSUYA, dedicated to exploring a distinctive, visually driven approach to taiko drumming. Centered on Deaf and hard of hearing performers, YUMENKO creates original works that emphasize physical sensation, rhythm, and movement, inviting audiences to experience taiko beyond sound alone. With member YUKI based in Germany, the ensemble performs both in Japan and internationally, expanding how rhythm and vibration are shared and understood.

KOBIKI is a Deaf and Hard of Hearing taiko ensemble based in Osaka, Japan. Founded in 1992, the group grew out of a commemorative performance for the Toyonaka City Association for People with Physical Disabilities and adopted the name KOBIKI in 1995. Through intensive training and embodied rhythm, KOBIKI shares the power of traditional Japanese taiko, expressing resilience, dedication, and the joy of collective performance.