Daihachi Oguchi, leader of Osuwa Daiko, was struck by a car and died in Nagano, Japan. Oguchi-sensei was profoundly influencial in speading taiko throughout Japan and the world. He was an inspiration to hundreds if not thousands of taiko groups.

The New York Times has an obituary. 

Rolling Thunder expresses our most profound condolences to Oguchi-sensei's family. Yuko and I had the opportunity to meet Oguchi-sensei in Nagano, and he was very gracious to us. The taiko community will miss his presence.