Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble
Member Training Course
2024 (43nd Intake) Application Procedure

Practical Interview Overview

Schedule
[Session 1] Oct. 28 (Sat) PM–Oct. 29 (Sun) AM, 2023

[Session 2] Jan. 7 (Sun) PM–Jan. 8 (Mon/Public Hol) AM, 2024

Interview takes place over the course of two days, including an overnight stay.
※ Applicants will attend one session only. There will be more apprenticeship spots available at Session 1 than Session 2, so we recommend applying for Session 1 if possible.

Venue
Kodo Apprentice Centre (Kakinoura, Sado Is., Niigata)

Content
Day 1: Practical skills (taiko, dance, singing)
Day 2: Self-promotion time, interview

Apprentice Programme Dates

Apr. 2024–Jan. 2026 (22-month course)

Training & Lodging Facility

Kodo Apprentice Centre (Kakinoura, Sado Is., Niigata)

Apprenticeship Requirements

    You can apply if you:
  • wish to become a member of Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble, and
  • are a healthy person aged 18–25 (as of Apr. 1, 2024), who is physically & mentally fit enough to undertake both the apprenticeship training and communal lifestyle, and
  • have advanced Japanese language skills, which are required to participate in training and lectures.

Please note that any individual who meets the above criteria is welcome to apply, regardless of their gender, experience, education, or nationality.

Process from Application to Becoming an Apprentice

  • Apply for an interview via online form (Japanese).
    Session 1 Application Deadline: Sep. 11 (Mon), 2023
    Session 2 Application Deadline: Nov. 24 (Fri), 2023

Kodo Apprentice Application Form (Japanese)

  • Receive a reply email with the link to an online submission form for the following application documents and photos:
    ◊ One essay in Japanese (approx. 400 characters in length) on this topic: Why I want to join Kodo.
    ◊ A statement of health from a physician
    ◊ Two photos (face, full-length)
    Session 1 Submission Deadline: Sep. 25 (Mon), 2023
    Session 2 Submission Deadline: Dec. 8 (Fri), 2023
  • Wait for results of interviewee selection based on your application. If selected, you will receive information about the practical interview and any sheet music required for interview tasks, etc.
    Session 1 Selection Results: Applicants will be contacted in Early-October
    Session 2 Selection Results: Applicants will be contacted in Mid-December
    *Successful applicants will be asked to pay a practical interview fee of 15,000 yen in advance.
    *If circumstances do not allow us to hold in-person practical interviews, please note that you may be asked to send in a video of your practical skills audition instead. 
  • Attend a practical interview. *Held over a two-day/one-night period
    Session 1 Practical Interview: Oct. 28 (Sat) PM–Oct. 29 (Sun) AM, 2023
    Session 2 Practical Interview: Jan. 7 (Sun) PM–Jan. 8 (Mon/Public Hol) AM, 2024
  • Wait for results of the interview, which will be sent out 2–3 weeks afterwards.
    Session 1 Results Sent: End of November 2023
    Session 2 Results Sent: End of January 2024
  • If you pass the interview stage, you will be asked to submit further documents and to pay apprenticeship fees (for first six months of the first year: 730,000 yen)
    Session 1 Onboarding: Mid-December 2023
    Session 2 Onboarding: Mid-February 2024
    [Apprenticeship Fee Breakdown] Admission fee 100,000 yen, Facilities/Materials 150,000 yen, Board 180,000 yen, Instruction Fee 300,000 yen
    *Board includes meals and lodging.
    *After payments are received, refunds will not be given for any reason.
  • Enter Kodo Apprentice Centre (Early April 2024)

Inquiries

If you have any questions about Kodo Apprentice Centre, please inquire via the form below.
If you would like to discuss the programme, we can arrange that with you using Zoom.


Name (required), Group Name e.g.: Don Tanaka, Kodo *For individuals, please write your name only.
Email Address (required)
Phone Number Please include your country code.
Type of Inquiry
Message (required)
Confirm & Send

Please check you have completed the form correctly, then click “Send.”

* A confirmation email will be automatically sent to the address provided.
Please check your spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.

Contact Details:
Kodo Cultural Foundation

Kodo Village, 148-1 Ogi Kanetashinden, Sado, Niigata 952-0611, Japan
Tel. 0259-81-4100 (Add +81 from outside Japan, 9:30–17:00 [JST/GMT +9], closed Saturdays and Sundays.)
All personal information received by Kodo will be handled in accordance with the Kodo Group Privacy Policy. Please note that information may be shared within the Kodo Group (Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble, Kitamaesen Co., Ltd., Kodo Cultural Foundation) as required to process applications.