TOKARA Workshops and Education

Workshops and Education

Taiko Courses in Japan
Unique Taiko Courses for All Levels
Year 2025

2025 Winter and Summer
Kenshu Taiko Residency
(One Month)
Details Here

2025 April 14 - 25
TOKARA Bootcamp - Festival Special
(One or Two Weeks: includes visit to Narita Taiko Festival)
FULL - Registration is now closed

2025 June
INADANI Taiko Course - Grand Tour
(Two Weeks: includes ticket to TOKARA Concert)
Details Here

If you would like to have your own group or indiviual
Kenshu Taiko Residency or Tailor-made Taiko Workshop,
we are happy to find a time that works for you.

Workshops and Residencies

TOKARA offers one of the most well-known and respected taiko residency programs in the world. Since being given the title of Master Wadaiko Artist by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi, Artistic Director Art Lee has gained an international reputation for offering a diverse range of community and school programs that give students a chance to explore the culture of Japan and the world of Taiko in Japan. Programs range from two to five hour workshops, weekend taiko retreats, weeklong intensive courses (outlined below) to two month residencies.

In addition to workshops and classes, a variety of residencies are available for all levels. To date, Art Lee has visited more than 18 countries to teach specialized residencies, including two month residencies as Visiting Artistic Director in both the United Kingdom and Australia. TOKARA also presents lecture- demonstrations for schools, lasting 45 minutes in which students are given a basic introduction to Japanese taiko and culture, as well as a chance to view a performance of wadaiko pieces from the group’s repertoire.

List of Workshop Options

Short workshop - one to three hours.
One Day Workshop - four to six hours including breaks.
Weekend Workshops (Sat. and Sun.) - four to five hours per day including breaks.
Weeklong Intensives - four to five days.
Two-month Residency - various programs are available.

Topic Highlights
Originally created by Tokara

Tokara Music Suite
~Learn one of Tokara's unique open-source performance pieces~
Triple-T (Transcendent Taiko Technique)
~Training to go beyond ordinary limits in taiko technique~
Kandou
~Tokara's original Odaiko piece to develop style and form~
Taiko Stairmaster
~Tokara's Ultimate multi-drum training workshop~
Hip-Up Taiko
~Aerobic-style taiko workshop~

Topic Highlights
Traditional and/or Basic Training

From All Sides
~Train the basics of Tachiuchi, Nanameuchi, and Yokomenuchi (Upright, Slant, and Horizontal playing)~
Dento Yori
~Traditional taiko styles and pieces~
Shime Daiko
~Improve shimedaiko playing method~

TAIKO STAIRMASTER
Two day workshop

Taiko Stairmaster is the ultimate taiko exercise to make both left and right hands equal.
As many taiko drumming pieces emphasize the right hand over the left, many practicioners gradually find a large difference strength and control between the right and left hands. With this in mind, Art Lee created the Taiko Stairmaster in 2004 with seven levels of difficulty. The Taiko Stairmaster workshop has become one of the most sought after taiko workshops among intermediate to professional taiko players as well as percussionists of many styles. Intermediate to professional levels are recommended, although beginners are welcome to take the challenge.

DENTO YORI
3 hour to two month residency

To fully understand what taiko is,
it is necessary to study the history and traditions.
This is one of the guiding principles upon which Wadaiko TOKARA is founded. Each member must learn and master many traditional pieces before being allowed to perform the original pieces. Dento Yori Taiko Workshops brings taiko practioners into the fascinating and abundant world that is traditional wadaiko. Participants will study the history, theory and playing styles of one or many traditional taiko pieces, depending upon the length of the workshop.
**Residencies one month and longer can include three to five pieces plus one original piece**

HIP-UP TAIKO
1 to 1.5 hour workshop

TOKARA introduces a new style of taiko/aerobic workshop from autumn 2009 called HIP-UP TAIKO.
"Hip Up" is a phrase used in Japan meaning to become physically fit. Hip-Up Taiko is a new style of workshop for both taiko practicioners and those who have no experience in taiko at all, and is designed to with the idea of playing very simple taiko rhythms mixed with a full aerobic body workout. Movements are dynamic upper and lower body movements based upon the unique TOKARA style of taiko. Rhythms are extremely simple and fun, allowing all participants to get a good full-body workout.

INTENSIVE WEEKLONG PROGRAMS

INADANI TAIKO DRUMMING COURSE
Beginners Course - JAPAN

This course is designed for the purpose of bringing the taiko practitioner closer to understanding the art that is Wadaiko in Japan. For this reason, the training site, nestled between the mountains of Shimoina, was specifically chosen to enhance an experience and atmosphere which cannot be had in any other country of the world. This course offers a unique experience as it takes place in the heart of Japan - Nagano Prefecture. It is here that taiko, as a performing art, was created. Each participant will be surrounded by and immersed in the culture from which comes the heart and spirit of the Wadaiko.
Details and application can be found on the course website:
www.tokara.net/japantaikocourse.html

TOKARA BOOTCAMP
Intermediate/Advanced Course - JAPAN

The TOKARA Taiko Bootcamp (also known as TOKARA Bootcamp) in Japan in 2020 takes place during the beautiful Cherry Blossom season. This course will allow the taiko practicioner to fully immerse themselves in the world of taiko in Japan; from intensive training during the day to enjoying the rural and unique life of Japan every evening. This is a full-week intensive course which creates an opportunity for participants to experience what it is like to live in Japan as a taiko player, and to train in and see firsthand the vast abundance of taiko styles that abode in Japan.
Participants will undergo intensive taiko study of all original drills and composition. Participants will also be able to travel with TOKARA to enjoy the Narita Taiko Festival, one of the world's largest taiko festivals.
Following the course, participants will have the opportunity to take home an original piece written by Tokara. All drills and compositions are originally created by Artistic Director Art Lee.
Details and application can be found on the course website:
www.tokara.net/taikocamp.html

KENSHU CORE TAIKO TEACHER TRAINING
Intermediate/Advanced Course - WORLD

This course is for teachers who already do or are planning to teach taiko classes and workshops, as well as for teaching assistants within a group. Theory and demonstration will accompany drills and playing technique. Participants will also have a chance to view teaching principles in action. During the morning sessions, participants will be taught movement and technique in various taiko performance styles. Afternoon sessions will include details/drills/information for teaching successful workshops and classes and group interactive sessions.
Details and application can be found on the course website:
www.tokara.net/kenshu-core

All workshops are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
For certain workshops, material able to be covered depends upon available drums.

If you would like to book any of the above workshops, or you have a specific request for a workshop other than those listed above, please contact the Wadaiko TOKARA Japan Office.