Nen Daiko is the taiko ensemble of Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, VA. Since 1994, Nen Daiko has been entertaining audiences throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area with a repertoire that includes traditional festival songs and more contemporary compositions. Our members are from diverse backgrounds and faiths, joined by our common respect for the art of taiko, the teachings of Buddhist taiko, and our joy and exuberance for the artistic expression of taiko. The group owes much gratitude to Ekoji’s founding minister Rev. Kenryu Tsuji who provided the name “Nen,” our sister groups Soh Daiko (NY) and Hoh Daiko (NJ) for their generous mentorship, and all the causes and conditions that have allowed us to practice and share the art of taiko for the past 29 years.

In October of 2017, members of Nen Daiko created Dounen Daiko for youth ages 12-17. The group was named by Ekoji’s resident minister, Rev. Nari Hayashi. The kanji (Chinese character) “dou” means “child” (e.g., child of Nen Daiko) and comes from the Sanskrit of “kumara” which means a child from the age of 8 to 19 who studies and follows the Buddha’s path. Nen Daiko members run the youth group and love to see how Dounen members embrace and integrate the joy of taiko into their lives.