Return to Taiko Weekend Workshop

The "Return to Taiko '' weekend workshop is a new offering from 2024, resulting from the fact that many past workshop attendees would like to return to us, but want a similar level of accessibility without repeating the same introductory workshop. If this is you, this weekend is designed just for you! This weekend is suitable for those who are not regular taiko players, but have been to us one, two or several times. It is also suitable for those who wish to return, and bring a new friend who hasn't played before.

Learn Taiko in a supportive and friendly environment, guided by our experienced instructors. Taiko is uplifting, energising, helps develop coordination and internal rhythm, is fun & accessible for all ages, and a great stress-reliever. At the "Return to Taiko" weekend workshop we recap the fundamentals, the stance and the grip, progress step-by-step over the course of the weekend, learning several short pieces composed of different traditional rhythms from around Japan, including the opportunity of learning a rhythm on the big Odaiko drum.

The workshop is led by the senior members of Mugenkyo at our base in the South Lanarkshire countryside: the Mugen Taiko Dojo, UK's only purpose-built Taiko Centre. Throughout most of the year the Dojo serves as the base & rehearsal space for the professional touring Mugenkyo members and the Dojo team, with the doors opened to workshop participants at certain times of year, providing a look at life here at the Dojo, and an opportunity to learn from & meet with core players from Mugenkyo.

The rhythms are taught in the traditional way - verbally, so don't worry if you can't read music. This introductory workshop is suitable for anyone ages 15 & over and of any level of fitness and ability, whether you're an experienced drummer or have never held a pair of drumsticks before. We encourage everyone to try as much as they can, at their own pace. These are primarily hand-on workshops, but also provide the opportunity to learn about the background of Taiko, through demonstrations & presentations. The workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn to play on these beautiful traditional instruments, and a fascinating insight into the world of Taiko Drumming.

Costs

Workshop fee: £230 not including accommodation

(includes lunch on Saturday & Sunday)

Residential rates (all include a simple continental breakfast):

• Double / twin occupancy: £40 per person per night
• Single occupancy £80 per person per night
• Triple occupancy: £30 per person per night
• Camping / campervan pitch: £20 per person per night (use of showers & kitchen included)

Places are reserved on payment of just the course fee, with the accommodation to be paid one month before the course.

Accommodation

We are delighted to now be able to offer a fully residential experience, with all of the participants staying with us on-site at the Mugen Taiko Dojo house (non-residential is also possible - see options below). Since the end of 2020 we have been working on upgrading our 100+year old farmhouse, and it is now finally ready for participants to join us here!

We prefer for participants to share if possible, as we only have 8 bedrooms in the house. The rooms are not en-suite - there are 4 bathrooms in the house shared between the 8 bedrooms. If you prefer to stay in a more plush environment, there are en-suite rooms at Strathaven Hotel or Bammflats, both just 15 minutes drive away (you would need your own transport), however the advantage of staying on-site is the opportunity to socialise on Saturday evening with us & get to know the other participants of the workshop in a relaxed atmosphere.

Food

The workshop fee includes lunch on the workshop days. All meals are vegetarian, and freshly prepared. We are able to cater for special dietary requirements, but only if we know in good time, so please make sure to list any requirements at the time of filling out your application form. It would also be helpful for us to know whether this is a food preference,or a strict allergy which we need to take extra care about, e.g. a nut allergy.

For those staying overnight with us, we provide a simple continental breakfast which you're able to help yourself to each morning (toast, cereal, juice, fruit, tea & coffee etc).

Kitchen facilities

We do not provide evening meals, but you are welcome to use the fully equipped kitchen facilities (hob, oven, microwave, pots & pans, plates, cutlery etc). Tea & coffee facilities are also available in the kitchen. For your Saturday evening meal, you are welcome to cook yourself, or if you prefer not to cook, we suggest a takeaway meal (Indian, Chinese, pizza, burgers,fish & chips available). For those without transport, on Saturday at 6pm we offer a trip to Strathaven (the local town 15 mins away), for food shopping, and are also happy to pick up your pre-ordered takeaway meal for you. We will make these arrangements straight after the workshop on Saturday.

Transport

The Taiko Dojo is in a rural location - just off the M74, 30 miles south of Glasgow. Travelling time from Glasgow is approx 45 min, and from Edinburgh is approx 1 hr 20 min. The nearest transport hubs are: Motherwell station (30 min) or Larkhall station (20 min) for train travel, Hamilton bus terminal for coach travel (30 min), Glasgow airport (45 mins) Edinburgh airport (60 min) & Prestwick airport (50 mins).

For residential participants arriving by train, the main pickup is at Motherwell train station at 7:15pm on Friday evening, to coincide with non-stop trains from London / Manchester / Bristol / Birmingham which arrive at 7pm & 7:04pm. After pickup & on the way to the Dojo, we offer a supermarket stop, arriving at the Dojo at approx 8:30pm. For those travelling by plane or coach, you can catch an airport bus to Glasgow & train to Motherwell to coincide with this pickup, or if you're arriving later in the evening, we can also do a group pickup in Glasgow - please contact us to discuss, before you book your transport. On Sunday we offer a lift leaving the Dojo at 4pm, to arrive at Motherwell station in time to catch the 4:54pm train to London / Manchester / Bristol / Birmingham. Again, please contact us if your proposed travel plans don't fit with this, so we can get you to a transport hub on time!

Staying extra days

If you are interested in booking to stay with us on Sunday night, you are most welcome to do so - we can offer transport on Monday to the local train station (Larkhall or Motherwell) at £10 per person, times to be arranged.

Staying with us on Saturday night only

If you are interested in staying with us on Saturday night only, this may be possible if the rooms aren't all full, as we give priority to those staying both Friday & Saturday. Please indicate this on your form & we'll let you know if there's a room available for you.

Age & Accessibility

The weekend workshop is suitable for adults of all ages & abilities. (Please contact us to discuss suitability for age 12+) The focus is on fun & teamwork, however each participant will be responsible for knowing their own physical limitations and for working within their own capabilities. We have disabled access and a disabled toilet. Please can you let us know in advance of any physical disability or any other condition which may be relevant.

Equipment

All equipment is provided - drums and "bachi" drumsticks. A variety of Taiko drums are used, some of which are especially imported from Japan - the genuine article. Carved from single tree trunks with thick cowhide skins, they are truly magnificent instruments.

Clothing

Please arrive wearing loose & comfortable clothing. According to Japanese tradition, outdoor shoes are not allowed in the Dojo itself. Please bring "indoor shoes" - tabi, slippers, martial arts slippers, dance shoes, or "totes" socks (no trainers) if you have any. If not, we can provide footwear when you arrive. No outdoor shoes of any kind, and no bare feet are allowed in the Dojo.

Schedule

Friday

• 4pm onwards  - check-in at Dojo (for those with own transport)
• 7:15pm - pickup from Motherwell Station (for those without own transport)
• 8:30pm - arrival at Dojo via the supermarket (for those without own transport)

Saturday

• 7:30am onwards - help yourself to continental breakfast (residential participants)
• 9:30am arrival (non-residential participants)
• 9:30 - 10am - meet & greet
• 10am - 1pm - morning session
• 1pm - 2pm - lunch
• 2pm - 5pm - afternoon session
• 5:30pm - lift to Strathaven (for those wanting to go to the supermarket or takeaway pickups)
• 6:30pm - return from Strathaven
• 7 -10pm - dinner & socialise in the Jookden

Sunday

• 7:30am onwards - help yourself to continental breakfast (residential participants)
• 9am - 12:30pm - morning session
• 12:30 - 1:30pm - lunch
• 1:30 - 3:30pm - afternoon session
• 4pm - departure from Dojo (for those without own transport)
• 4:30pm - arrival at Motherwell Station (for those without own transport)