Kodo Taiko School Cohort 1—Individual Course
Course Dates: Nov. 2021–Mar. 2022
Application Period: Aug. 2 (Mon)–Sep. 30 (Thu), 2021
About Kodo Taiko School Fees & Applications
Kodo Taiko School Framework [Cohort 1]
- Kodo members will teach one 2-hour online group lesson per week over the course of five months. (Total of 19 lessons)
- Lessons will take place on Zoom (video meeting app). Participants will take part remotely and can use a taiko drum, drum practice pad, cushion, or similar item.
- Each class will have a small group of students. Lessons will be conducted in Japanese and English. *If one language suits all participants, classes may be held in that language only.
- Instructors or staff will share details about each lesson with participants in advance. At times, they will also share videos for participants to watch as preparation for subsequent lessons.
- There will be optional tasks for participants who wish to receive advice from the instructor(s) about their playing. Anyone wanting tailored advice will be invited to submit a performance video.
- Once during each course, a Taiko Camp will be held on Sado Island to bring the participants together to play taiko. This event is an optional extra that is only open to course participants. The camp cost is not included in the course fee.
Participant Requirements:
Participants must be senior high school age (minimum of 15 years) or over with at least one year of experience playing taiko.
Equipment Required:
1) Something to use instead of a taiko
- a drum practice pad or cushion for taiko practice (also ok to use taiko/electronic taiko [TAIKO-1])
- bachi (taiko drumsticks)
2) Online lesson setup
- Computer or mobile device with video capabilities (PC, tablet, smartphone, etc.)
- High-speed internet connection
- Zoom app
- Discord App➜ Slack App (updated Sep.10)
- YouTube account
Kodo Taiko School Curriculum Plan [Cohort 1]
Cohort 1 marks the start of the full-scale Kodo Taiko School program. This course will be based on what we learned through the Cohort 0 trial, and dialogue with the incoming Cohort 1 participants. We look forward to delving deeper into the lesson content together.
The first phase, “Get ready to create sound,” focuses on sharing Kodo’s know-how about the fundamentals, such as every taiko player’s best friends: their drumsticks. We’ll also incorporate content to help taiko player’s develop their physique. During the next phase, we’ll reacquaint ourselves with the fundamentals of playing taiko. Practising the basics involves a lot of repetition, and requires persistent effort. So we’ll tackle this practice as a class, cheering each other on.
From the middle of the course, we’ll start working on playing an original piece, which Kodo composed especially for Kodo Taiko School. As you learn this piece, one by one you’ll learn the important things to focus on every time you play taiko. The final phase is designed for everyone to enjoy performing. Each unique group of classmates will become a team that performs a piece together. We’re sure this serendipitous encounter will take you to new places.
Kodo Taiko School Cohort 1 Instructors
(From left to right)
Jun Jidai
Taiyo Onoda
Yoshie Abe
Shogo Komatsuzaki
* Instructors may be subject to change.
Lesson Schedule
For the Cohort 1 intake, we are seeking participants for three classes. Please choose the schedule that best suits you.
*All dates and times are JST.
- Team Keyaki (Saturday 15:00–17:00)
- Team Hinoki (Saturday 18:00–20:00)
- Team Atebi (Monday 10:00–12:00)
Fees [Cohort 1]
All fees include tax.
Kodo Taiko School Cohort 1—Individual Course
| General (Domestic) | Kodo no Kai Members (Domestic) | General (Overseas) | Kodo no Kai Members (Overseas) | |
| Enrolment Fee | 11,000 yen | 11,000 yen | 10,000 yen | 10,000 yen |
| Course Fee (5 months/19 lessons) | 90,200 yen | 85,200 yen | 82,000 yen | 77,000 yen |
| Total | 101,200 yen | 96,200 yen | 92,000 yen | 87,000 yen |
Kodo Taiko School Taiko Camp (Optional Extra)
| General | Kodo no Kai Members | |
| Held on Sado Island (Participant fee, lodging and meals) | 55,000 yen | 50,000 yen |
Fee Payment
- Fees are due by Oct. 22 (Fri), 2021.
- Payments can be made by bank transfer (within Japan only) or Paypal.
About Kodo no Kai
To join Kodo’s Japanese-language supporter service, Kodo no Kai, please contact Kodo via this form or see our website for details (in Japanese only).
Kodo no Kai http://www.kodo.or.jp/friends/index_ja.html
Application Method
Apply for Kodo Taiko School via this form: Kodo Taiko School Cohort 1 Course Application Form
Application Period: Aug. 2 (Mon)–Sep. 30 (Thu), 2021
Process from Application to Course Start
If there are more applications than spaces, we will use a selection process to choose participants for this cohort. Staff will contact all applicants on Oct. 8 (Fri) to let them know if they are able to attend. We will send course information to all confirmed participants. Please pay your course fees by Oct. 22 (Fri). Before the course commences, there will be communications between staff and participants and an online lesson technical check (date and time TBA).
Inquiries: Kodo Cultural Foundation