Michele Chin-Purcell
Edo Kotobuki Jishi, shishimai performer
Michele Chin-Purcell is an ardent advocate for Japanese taiko art and culture, serving as both an instructor and performer with San Diego Taiko. She is committed to introducing the Japanese Lion Dance, or shishimai, to audiences who may be unfamiliar with this remarkable 400-year-old tradition originating from Edo, the historic name of Tokyo.
With a background in multicultural dance, music, and martial arts, Michele merged these interests by beginning her study of kumidaiko (group taiko drumming) in 2014 at Mu Daiko in Minnesota. Relocating to San Diego in 2017, she joined San Diego Taiko, one of the region’s pioneering taiko groups with a 25-year legacy of community engagement, education, and performances.
In 2018, Chris Huynh from San Diego Taiko assembled Michele and several other dedicated performers to delve into the music of Edo Kotobuki Jishi, the traditional lion dance from Tokyo’s Edo Period. The group has since consistently honed this intricate and inspiring performance piece under the guidance of Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, a proficient musician and educator, and Kyosuke Suzuki, a distinguished teacher. Suzuki-sensei is a master musician and dancer with Wakayama Shachu, a professional traditional Japanese performing arts company recognized by the Japanese Government Agency for Cultural Affairs as a “significant tangible cultural asset.” The San Diego Shishimai Kai has been showcasing Edo Kotobuki Jishi since 2021.
