(Photo credit: Christopher Polanzi)
Adult Beginning I
For students with little or no experience with taiko. Basic form, rhythms, movement, philosophy, centering, and balance will be emphasized. Practice ensemble pieces are introduced.
Repeating this level is recommended for developing a solid foundation.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Sho’on Shibata
Adult Beginning I – Nice & Easy
For students with little or no experience with taiko and would like to study taiko at a gentler pace than our regular Beginning Taiko I. Basic form, rhythms, movement, philosophy, centering, and balance will be emphasized. Practice ensemble pieces are introduced.
Repeating this level is recommended for developing a solid foundation.
Instructor: Chizuko Endo
Adult Beginning I 初級クラス（Bilingual – 日本語 and English）
バチの握り方や構え方など、基礎からしっかり練習します。簡単な曲で和太鼓を楽しみましょう！初めての方大歓迎です。年齢、経験は問いません！このクラスは、日本語で丁寧に指導いたします。This is a Beginner’s class similar to the Adult Beginning I class but will be taught bilingually, in both Japanese and English.
Instructor: 柴田 渚音 Sho’on Shibata
Adult Beginning II
This course is for those students who have successfully completed Beginning I. Basics learned in Beginning I will be reinforced and expanded upon. Movement exercises in preparation for soloing will be introduced. Emphasis is on developing ensemble drumming skills, form and technique.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Sho’on Shibata
Adult Intermediate
This course is for those students who have successfully completed Beginning II or have three or more years of experience playing taiko. Focus will be on ensemble drumming, soloing, and repertoire development with possible opportunities for performance.
Instructor approval required before enrollment.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Kirstin Pauka, Brock Asato, Sho’on Shibata
Adult Intermediate (Online)
This online course is for those students who have successfully completed Beginning II, or have three or more years of experience playing taiko. Emphasis is on developing naname style form and technique, learning challenging repertoire, and diversifying rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation
Instructor: Sho’on Shibata
Bon Daiko (drumming for the Bon Festival)
Learn basic rhythms played in the Bon Festival (summer festival honoring one’s ancestors). Drumming plus add some fancy new moves to your repertoire. Appropriate for youth ages 8 and older AND adults!
Pre-Requisite: Successful completion of Beginning I Taiko
Instructor: Michael Gonhata
Drills for Skills (Online)
This class is all about improving fundamental drumming skills such as timing, bachi control, and coordination, through the time-tested drill and practice method. Systematic practice places emphasis on building rhythmic vocabulary and musical flexibility, while repetition aims to improve concentration and technique execution. These drills for skills are sure to make you a better taiko player in all settings.
Instructor: Sho’on Shibata
Edo Bayashi (festival music of old Tokyo)
This is an introductory course that teaches the fundamental parts of the shime daiko (rope-lashed or bolted small taiko), one instrument of the 5-person Edo Bayashi ensemble (2 shime daiko players, odaiko player, atarigane player, and a fue player). Traditionally, it is played sitting and does not have the flamboyant movement found in “kumi-daiko” (group drumming) but the music is rich and deep. The Edo era was 1615-1868, a time when Japan was shut off from the external world and Japanese arts fluorished. The traditional music of Japan is where the goods are is what Kenny sensei always says.
Pre-Requisite: Successful completion of Beginning I Taiko / Shimedaiko
Instructor: Kenny Endo
Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance) – Atarigane
Students will be learning the atarigane (hand-held gong) of Edo Kotobuki Jishi of Wakayama Ryu (style). Participants of all levels are welcome to attend but basic understanding of taiko will be helpful. This limited time class is also available for live-streaming. Drop-ins are unavailable for the in person sessions, however, drop-ins are permitted for the livestream participants.
Instructor: Ai Matsuda
Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance) – Mai (Dance)
In this course, students will be learning all the movements of Edo Kotobuki Jishi of Wakayama Ryu (style) Shishimai (lion dance). This is a dance class and no taiko playing is involved. This limited time class is also available for live-streaming. Drop-ins are unavailable for the in person sessions, however, drop-ins are permitted for the livestream participants.
Instructor: Ai Matsuda
Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance) – Taiko
In this course, students will be learning the taiko parts of Edo Kotobuki Jishi of Wakayama Ryu (style). Participants of all levels are welcome to attend but basic understanding of taiko will be helpful. This limited time class is also available for live-streaming. Drop-ins are unavailable for the in person sessions, however, drop-ins are permitted for the livestream participants.
Instructor: Ai Matsuda
Hana Hachijo
A founding member of Ondekoza and Kodo, Chieko Kojima created this piece to exemplify a feminine yet powerful style of drumming combining taiko and dance movements. Based on the rhythms from Hachijo island, Chizuko shares her knowledge from workshops taken with Chieko Kojima and Hiroo Asanuma (Hachijo Taiko). It is recommended to take this course repeatedly to familiarize your whole body with the the infectious rhythms and graceful movements.
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Beginning I Taiko
Instructor: Chizuko Endo
Hayashi
“Hayashi” is a dynamic piece composed by the renowned Etsuo Hongo of Los Angeles Matsuri Taiko. This piece is an open-source gem in the taiko community, known for its engaging rhythms and the chance it offers to deepen your ensemble skills. Join us to celebrate and honor the tradition Etsuo Hongo left behind, while expanding your own taiko repertoire and having fun with a supportive group.
Pre-requisite: One year of taiko experience
Instructor: Ai Matsuda
Japanese Festival Music (ON HIATUS)
This course is designed for students who are interested in diversifying their taiko experience by learning how to play Japanese festival music. As a folk art, there is less emphasis on form and more on expression and learning how to play well together. For a true ensemble experience, students will be encouraged to learn how to play all of the different instruments and gain musical independence.
Instructor: Sho’on Shibata
Katsugi Okedo Daiko (Shoulder slung taiko)
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Beginning I and are interested in diversifying their taiko experience. Katsugi Okedo is a unique style of taiko playing in which the taiko is slung over the shoulder and carried as it is being played. This enables the players to have greater mobility and a wide range of choreography for a playful experience.
Instructor: Sho’on Shibata
Odaiko I
This course welcomes those with little or no prior experience playing odaiko. Odaiko, the largest of the taiko drums, forms the heart of the taiko ensemble, offering a unique and powerful musical experience. This beginner course will focus on basic form, rhythms, movement, and the philosophy behind the instrument. Students will learn to strike with relaxed strength and grace. Repeating this course is encouraged to cement a strong foundation. Join us and feel the deep heartbeat of the drum.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Sho’on Shibata, Michael Gonhata
Odaiko II
This course is designed for students who already have some experience with odaiko and are ready to build on the fundamentals learned in Odaiko I. In this class, we’ll focus on refining technique, deepening rhythmic understanding, and exploring more advanced forms and musical expression. It’s a great next step for anyone looking to continue their odaiko journey with a bit more challenge and depth.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Sho’on Shibata, Michael Gonhata
Seimei
Seimei is the flagship performance piece of Nihon Taiko Dojo headed by Tosha Kiyonari. It is a five-section composition that showcases a wide range of taiko fundamentals and technical skills. It is an excellent opportunity to refine technique and build confidence for players of all levels. There are shimedaiko, chudaiko, and odaiko parts but the chudaiko part will be the focus.
Pre-Requisite: Successful completion of Beginning I
Instructor: Michael Gonhata
Shime Daiko (small drum)
This is an introductory course that teaches the fundamentals of shime daiko (rope-lashed or bolted small taiko). The shime daiko often keeps the base beat and holds the ensemble together, and requires finesse and good technique. Instruction will include proper grip, stance, form and simple practice pieces.
Instructor: Kenny Endo
Taiko for the Deaf Community
Interested students, contact: taikoarts@gmail.com
A Mixed Level Taiko class for Beginners-Intermediate, accompanied by a sign language interpreter. Class material is similar to regular classes but geared towards the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Instructor: Chizuko Endo
Interpreter: Inga Park Okuna
Taiko Performance Training for Adults
Open to students who have already successfully completed Intermediate Taiko or have equivalent background in Taiko, and who have interest, talent, and potential to become a performer. Review of basic foundations of technique and form are on-going. Emphasis is on developing ensemble drumming and performance skills.
Instructor’s permission required for enrollment. Contact us for more details.
Instructor: Kenny Endo, Brock Asato
Uchikomi Course
Uchikomi means to drill/hammer/pound/drive in something, but it also means to put all of one’s heart and energy into something. This class is all about giving students the most amount of playing time through the repetition of simple yet fundamental rhythms to improve form, strength, endurance, rhythmic ability, and mental fortitude, which is applicable to all styles of taiko playing. As there is no designated piece to learn, the focus of this class is on striking technique and physicality.
Instructor: Sho’on Shibata
Taiko Center of the Pacific 