“Taiko Workshops in Fukuoka Prefecture” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Oct. 11 Kodo Workshops at Kobunren 30th Anniversary Special Event
We were invited to the Kobunren 30th Anniversary Special Event for high school taiko groups in Fukuoka Prefecture. Last time we came to this event was in December 2014. This time, we brought them a much grander workshop program… actually, we came with four different taiko courses for them! The instructors were Yosuke Oda, Masayuki Sakamoto, Yosuke Kusa, and I. There were around 80 students, so they all split into groups to take their choice of workshop.
The event started at 10:00 with an opening performance by the Kodo “Eternity” cast. Then we had a morning and afternoon session of each course. It was an action-packed day!
The high school students all really want to improve as taiko players, so we did our best to share as much as we could with them and gave them as many tips as possible. They were all so frank and earnest, and they absorbed everything we taught them with such speed. They really grew as taiko players! We received so much energy from them all!
When it was time for us to leave, all the students lined up to farewell us. They were so sweet.
Thank you very much! Do your best! We’ll do our best, too!