Fukushima JET Alum, Darryl Wharton-Rigby has started a kickstarter fund to support his documentary project about the Fukushima youth taiko group’s story that you may have heard about. His letter is below and you can find more details at JETwit.
I am a former JET (2005 – 2007, Kawamta-machi in Fukushima-ken). I am reaching out to let you know about my project, ‘Don Doko Don: The Yamkiya Taiko Club Story.’ This story is about a team of taiko drummers from the Yanagawa District of Kawamata, where I taught. They were evacuated because of radiation in their community. This week we launched a Kickstarter campaign for this special documentary and seeking the support of the JET community. I was wondering if there was anyway you could help us spread the word about this Kickstarter campaign?
This past April my senpai, Michelle Spezzacatena and I were able to bring the Yamakiya Taiko Club to the USA for National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. The group spent 10 days between, my hometoen of Baltimore and DC. They participated in home stays, visited monuments and dignitaries, and performed. They trip was capped by a performance at the Kennedy Center.
I’ve been making films for more than 20 years. It has always been rewarding and challenging experience and this very well may be my most ambitious project. I never imagined my journey would bring me to project with such an international scope and profoundly personal on so many levels.
Please check out the Kickstarter link here and watch the video for more information. It’s less than four minutes. This is an all or nothing campaign. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal. I hope you can support and help spread the word. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Honto ni domo arigato gozaimasu.
Best
Darryl Wharton-Rigby
