Josho Daiko, student club

Josho Daiko is a Japanese drum performance club at Soka University of America. In February 2002, Victoria Kraus (℅ 2005) and Eiko Vogtman (Staff, former club advisor of Josho Daiko) initiated taiko (traditional Japanese drums) activities on campus, and the club was officially founded as “Soka Taiko” in Fall 2002 (renamed to “Taiko Club” in Fall 2003). In 2006, the University founder Daisaku Ikeda named the club “Josho Daiko.” The word Josho means “ever victorious” in Japanese.

Its Constitution states that the purpose of the club is “to strengthen unity and display it through performing Taiko” and that the club aims “to deepen our appreciation of culture through Taiko and share our understanding within the SUA community as well as our neighbors outside of the campus.” Since its inception and as of this entry (June 3, 2026), Josho Daiko has continued to be one of the most active clubs on campus and has multiple practices a week. The club usually holds a semester-end performance event, occasionally collaborating with other clubs such as Instant Radio, Kendo Club, Koto Club, and Ka’Pilina Ho’olokahi. The club has also been involved in various school events, including the International Festival, Homecoming, Haunted House, Holiday Party, Peace Gala, Experience Soka, Lion’s Roar, and other off-campus events.