O-daiko Masterclass with Tomohiro Mitome 2024
Course Dates: Jan. –Mar. 2024
Application Period: Oct. 1 (Sun)–Nov. 30 (Thu), 2023
*Applications Closed
Kodo Skills Specialist Tomohiro Mitome will lead online O-daiko group lessons.
Mitome will share his unique theory, honed performing with Kodo for over 30 years.
Learn to play the big drum for long stretches with nothing but good sound.
About Kodo Taiko School Fees & Applications
O-daiko Masterclass with Tomohiro Mitome
Course Dates
Jan. 20 (Sat)–Mar. 30 (Sat), 2024
8 classes in total (Jan. 20, 27; Feb. 10, 17; Mar.2, 9, 23, 30)
Day/Time: Saturday 12:00–14:00*
*All dates/times are Japan Standard Time
Masterclass Instructor
Reference Videos
Performance Video: “O-daiko” Tomohiro Mitome
Introductory Video: From Earth Celebration 2020 “Tomohiro Mitome — 30 Years with Kodo Commemorative Event”
Lesson Content
・ Taiko drumming methods for fuse-uchi (upright taiko playing) and o-daiko shomen-uchi (big-drum taiko playing, facing the drum head on)
・Taiko fundamentals practice
・Learning set phrases
There are two different course options available:
-
- Remote Course: Join live lessons online, view lesson archives, and submit tasks to receive feedback.
- Lite Course: View lesson archive videos (no live lessons, task submission, feedback)
- For the Remote Course, 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.
- Students will practice two styles of taiko drumming: fuse-uchi (upright taiko playing) and o-daiko shomen-uchi (big-drum taiko playing, facing the drum head on). The class will have up to 15 students. Lessons will be conducted in Japanese and English. *If one language suits all participants, classes may be held in that language only.
- An archive recording of each lesson will be shared on YouTube, with access restricted to participants, so you can review the content. (Archives will be available until one month after the course ends.)
- Participants can submit a task-based performance video to receive feedback and advice from the instructors. This task is optional.
- Remote Course participants can submit task-based performance videos to receive feedback and advice from the instructors. These tasks are optional.
Lesson Format
Lessons will be held on Zoom, conducted in Japanese (with consecutive interpreting into English).
■Equipment Required:
For taiko practice
・A taiko (small/medium size, such as okedo-daiko or electronic taiko), drum practice pad, or cushion for taiko practice that is suitable for fuse-uchi playing and o-daiko/head-on playing.
・Bachi (taiko drumsticks) suitable for fuse-uchi and o-daiko playing.
For attending online lessons
・Computer or mobile device with video capabilities (PC, tablet, smartphone, etc.)
・High-speed internet connection
・Zoom app
・Slack app
・YouTube account
*Note: The following items are not required, but we strongly recommend using them if possible.
・Yoga mat
・Wireless or Bluetooth headphones or earbuds (e.g.: AirPods, etc.)
Participant Requirements:
For ages 15 and over, with at least three years of experience playing taiko.
■Notes
・An archive recording of each lesson will be shared on YouTube, with access restricted to participants, so you can review the content. (Archives will only be available to view during the course.)
・For the o-daiko lessons, you can use a taiko on a stand, or a mattress propped up against a wall, or a yoga ball or cushion fastened to a wall, etc. Please create a set-up where you can practice playing o-daiko head on. (During the lessons, all participants will have their microphones off, so your volume and sound quality will not affect the lesson at all.)
・Remote Course participants can submit three task-based performance videos during the course to receive feedback and advice from the instructor. These video tasks are optional. If you submit a task, your video will be shared and discussed in class, and you will also receive personal feedback and advice from the instructor.
Fees (O-daiko Masterclass)
Remote Course
| Fees | Enrolment Fee | Course Fee |
| General (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥11,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥11,000 | ¥47,000 |
| General (Overseas) | ¥10,000 | ¥47,300 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Overseas) | ¥10,000 | ¥42,700 |
Lite Course
| Fees | Enrolment Fee | Course Fee |
| General (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥11,000 | ¥32,000 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥11,000 | ¥30,000 |
| General (Overseas) | ¥10,000 | ¥29,000 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Overseas) | ¥10,000 | ¥26,000 |
How the Courses Differ
| Remote Course | Lite Course | |
| Attend online lessons | ○ | ー |
| View lesson archives |
○ | ○ |
| Submit task(s) | ○ | ー |
| Join Slack group, ask questions via text | ○ | ○ |
About Kodo no Kai
Details about Kodo’s Japanese-language supporter service, Kodo no Kai, are available in Japanese only.
http://www.kodo.or.jp/friends/index_ja.html
We welcome inquiries in English via the form on this page.
Fee Payment
・Fees are due by Dec. 18 (Mon), 2023.
・Payments can be made by bank transfer (within Japan only) or PayPal.
■Application Method
■Apply for the course via this form（Closed）
Application Period: Oct. 1 (Sun)–Nov. 30 (Thu), 2023
■Capacity: 15 people
Process from Application to Course Start:
If there are more applications than spaces, we will use a selection process to choose participants for this course. Staff will contact all applicants on Dec. 7 (Thu) to let them know if they are able to attend. Fees are due by Dec. 18 (Mon). We will send course information to all confirmed participants. Before the course commences, there will be communications between staff and participants and an online lesson technical check (date and time TBA).
Online Information Sessions (Finished)
We will be holding free online information sessions about Tomohiro Mitome’s O-daiko Masterclass via Zoom.
Date & Times: Nov. 18 (Sat) 12:30–14:00 JST* (Each session will last approx. 30 mins.)
Registration: O-daiko Masterclass 2024 Online Information Session Registeration Form
Registration Deadline: Oct. 30 (Mon) JST*
*JST: Japan Standard Time
Inquiries: Please contact us via this form:
Kodo Taiko School Inquiry Form