GRAND TOUR 2019
Week 1
June 17 - 22
Week 2
June 24 - 29
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Intensive Taiko Drumming Course
**For other workshops and courses, please see: Tokara Taiko Workshops
Course Content | About the teacher | Course Fees and Application
This course is designed for the purpose of bringing the taiko practitioner
closer to understanding the art that is Wadaiko in Japan.
For this reason, the training site,
nestled between the mountains of Shimoina,
was specifically chosen to enhance
an experience and atmosphere which cannot be had
in any other country of the world.
This course offers a unique experience as it takes place
in the heart of Japan - Nagano Prefecture.
It is here that taiko, as a performing art, was created.
Each participant will be surrounded by and immersed in the culture
from which comes the heart and spirit of the Wadaiko.
Course Content
This course will emphasize various Taiko drumming styles from the region and from
around Japan....as well as fusing drumming styles and techniques from other world music.
Participants will start with the traditional styles and techniques of the area
and continue with original and complex compositions.
It will be a great opportunity to experience first-hand,
styles and techniques which are rarely known or taught outside of Japan.
Training sessions will be from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Participants will be training in the Iida Community Center, which is a full theatre.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet local taiko players both inside and outside of
joint playing sessions.
Afterwards, there will be plenty of free time to explore
the surrounding villages, city and mountains.
2019 will also feature guest instructors from around Japan
INADANI Taiko Drumming Course participants will have a chance
to learn from a special selection of Japan's top performers and instructors as part of the course.
As a culmination of the course, participants will have learned a piece which may be played
during the summer taiko festival - The Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival
together with Art Lee and Tokara.
 |
Tokara artistic director, Art Lee, is a renowned artist and performer of the Japanese art form known as taiko, and is the first non-Japanese ever to be awarded an artist visa by the Japanese government to teach taiko and lead the life of a professional taiko artist in Japan.
On October 15th, 2005, Art won First Place in the Solo Odaiko section of the most prestigious and renowned taiko contest in the World - The Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest
Before becoming a solo artist in 2001, he was a featured performer with groups including the Sacramento Taiko Dan and one of the top taiko groups in the world, Ondekoza.
Utilizing his extensive training in both traditional and modern taiko techniques, he continues to perform all over the world, as well as teach in both English and Japanese to taiko enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
In addition to his teaching and solo performing schedule, he is the instructor of groups 'Suiko' and 'Nadeshiko', as well as the leader and Artistic Director of the internationally touring group, Wadaiko TOKARA. Art was also a performer with Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi and Osuwa Daiko AshuraGumi for six years.
For more information about the Instructors:
visit the cast website at:
www.tokara.net/fanclub/en/ensousha.html
PDF Format
Wadaiko Tokara Official Touring and Information Pamplet
|
Surrounding Area
Nagano Prefecture is widely known as the outdoor capital of Japan.
No other prefecture offers better hiking and trekking, and Nagano
is internationally known for it's winter sports facilities.
Achi Village is situated close to the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture.
The location of the village allows access to either neighboring Iida city, or for those who
prefer much larger cities - Nagoya City, which is only 1.5 hours south.
For those who wish to venture farther,
Hakuba, where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held,
is in the same prefecture, just 2 hours north.
Tokyo and Kyoto are equally distanced from the village and on direct bus route.
Heavens Sonohara, the local ski resort is the largest in the southern half of Nagano, and
Hirugami Onsen, which includes Misaka Ryokan, is one of the most popular hot springs resorts
in all of Japan.
Transportation
Unless traveling to other parts of Japan before or after the course,
participants may wish to arrive at the nearest major airport which is Chubu International Airport (also called Centrair, close to Nagoya).
After arrival, take the bus or train to Nagoya Station – about a 45 minute ride. After this, you can walk to the Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center
which is only a 5 minute walk away. Then take the Highway Bus to Komaba bus stop - 2 hours.
Once you have your bus ticket from Nagoya to Komaba, if you call Misaka Ryokan to let them know when you are arriving, the ryokan bus will be
at Komaba when you arrive and you will be whisked to Misaka Ryokan. From the Airport to Komaba Bus stop – about 3,400yen.
If traveling by train, or from Tokyo, it may be necessary to get off at Iida Train Station. From Iida Train Station, it will be necessary to take a bus
(if during day or early afternoon) or a taxi to Hirugami Onsen – about 30 minutes. The taxi is very expensive if less than three persons are sharing,
so it is advised to arrive early enough to take the local bus to Hirugami Onsen.
For those wishing to travel to other areas of Japan before and after the INADANI Taiko Course, the Japan Rail Pass is recommended.
The Japan Rail Pass is only available for purchase outside of Japan.
Accommodation
Course Fee
***June 17 - 29, 2019***
196,000yen per person
includes 12 nights accommodation (June 16 - 22 morning, June 23 - 29 morning)
***Early registration from October 1st until December 30th***
***Early registration is 190,000yen and is payable via Paypal***
Deadline to apply for INADANI Taiko Drumming Course
is May 10th, 2019
Please click here to go to the application page
Art Lee | TOKARA | Misaka Ryokan
