Drums, Tea, and Harmony: “Wa! 和” Brings Japanese Taiko and Tradition to Downtown Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — On Dec. 13th, 2025, approximately 50 guests attended the event Wa! 和 Japanese Taiko Drum Performance and Tea Ceremony at Forage in downtown Eau Claire, WI.

The event began with a tea ceremony demonstration conducted by Keiko Morikawa, a Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator at UW-Stout. Keiko appeared in a kimono dress and demonstrated the seiza posture (the formal, traditional Japanese kneeling posture) to start the tea ceremony. Before the guests made their own bowls of matcha, sweets such as triple chocolate cups and crepe cakes were served. They were freshly made by Sasiwan Kanchanawong, the owner of Luna Café.

Keiko Morikawa in traditional kimono during the tea ceremony. (Submitted photo)

This newly opened pop-up bakery in Eau Claire is inspired by Sasiwan’s background: A Thailand native and her experience living in Japan for two years. After that, the guests made their own bowls of matcha using matcha powder, hot water, and a special whisk used in tea ceremonies.

The event concluded with a performance by the Japanese taiko drumming group Peaceful Forest, featuring renowned taiko drummer Takumi Kato and his three sons, Sogen (14), Ryoma (12), and Yamato (8). Their outstanding performance drew people in, and many watched with dazzled eyes.

Over fifty attendees enjoyed a celebration of tea, taiko drumming, and Japanese culture. (Submitted photo)

During the show, they performed Shishimai (獅子舞), a traditional Japanese lion dance typically performed during festivals, especially around New Year. The lion playfully interacted with the audience, “biting” people’s heads—a gesture believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. This brought many smiles to the audience.

In October 2022, Peaceful Forest began their journey of performing 1,000 shows across all 50 states in the U.S. This event marked their 626th performance! As guests were leaving, they received Japanese sweets (Omanju) and a paper crane ornament to take home as souvenirs.

The title “Wa! 和” (which means peace, harmony, and Japanese style in Japanese) was named, not only to go with the event’s Japanese traditional culture theme, but also to reflect Takumi Kato’s mission to promote world peace and cultural understanding. We donated a portion of the ticket sales to the EC Humane Association and the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic.

We extend our gratitude to Forage, the rental event space, and its owner, Lori, for their support throughout the event. And of course, a huge thank you to everyone who attended and made this event a success!