The Isami Taiko Group of Gardena Buddhist Church was started in 1984 under the support of the YABA/Free Spirit Group of Rev. Ben Mayeda by Tom Fukuman and Aimee Yamada and Family. The name was originally Gardena Buddhist Church Taiko Group then shirtly changed to The Free Spirit Taiko Group of Gardena Buddhist Church. In 1990, the group changed its name to Isami Taiko.

Taiko simple means "drum" in Japanese, and refers to a wide range of styles. Taiko is used in many contects in Japan such as gagaku (court music), hogaku (clssical), matsuri (festivals), shibai (theater), minyo (folk music), and kumi daiko (taiko ensembles), to mention a few. In addition, each area in Japan also has its own unique style of drumming. The Isami Taiko Group focuses on kumi daiko and matsuri bayashi (festival music).