We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to perform at over 500 schools throughout 21 countries in the world.
At school performances, we have an hour not only to show children both traditional and newly innovative styles of taiko drumming, but also
to give them a first-hand experience with another country and culture which is so different from their own.
The children are able to try the drumming for themselves, as well as learn some of the Japanese language and styles of the Japanese drums.
These school performances are unique in many ways:
1. Instead of gathering children from different schools to a theatre where the stage creates a big separation between performers and students, we prefer to create a more fun and
and familiar situation by going directly to each school. This way, the children are able to watch the performers close up and in their familiar surroundings, they are able to
interact with the performers by asking questions, clapping hands in rhythm, shouting together using vocal notation and just having a lot of fun.
The only drawbacks to this intimate setting is that the families of each child are not able to join in, and often we cannot bring the largest drums (they cannot fit through the school doors).
For this, we often try to plan a concert at the completion of a series of school performances.
2. TOKARA is very unique group in that we are based in Japan, but members are from many different countries and nationalities.
Taiko drumming as an art form is not only for Japan or Japanese, but for anyone all over the world. With this in mind, every year we act as a bridge between the
cultures of Japan and foreign countries. We believe that this is part of our duty to both the taiko world and the future of our global society.
 Since Wadaiko Tokara was created over 20 years ago, school performances are the one type of event where we really feel that we are making a difference.
The students see a professional taiko group that consists of not only Japanese people, but of people from all over the world. They learn that authenticity is not about what you look like, but authenticity is achieved through
giving more than 100% of spirit, determination and hard work to learn and understand, while sweeping aside selfish pride, to achieve the highest level - regardless of age, sex or ethnicity.
We hope the students see this through our performance, and we appreciate how very honest they are in their responses and what they say.
We love such honesty, and that we have the chance to communicate to students around the world through this type of music.
If you think you might like to see Tokara on the stage, please see below for the next concert which is planned near you...
And if you have even smaller children, please know that we welcome all children of any size. We believe that children should have a chance to attend
world-class performances. Please come together and don't forget to say hello to us in the lobby after the concert!!
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