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Taiko Course for the Mugen Mid-Winter Festival

Wed, 29 Jan

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Mugen Taiko Dojo

Suitable for those with experience in Taiko, who play regularly with a group, or for ambitious improvers!

Taiko Course for the Mugen Mid-Winter Festival
Taiko Course for the Mugen Mid-Winter Festival

Time & Location

29 Jan 2025, 09:30 – 01 Feb 2025, 18:00

Mugen Taiko Dojo, South Priorhill ML11 0RZ, UK

Guests

About the Class

Join us for an invigorating course learning new skills, technique & rhythms, building up day by day to create a new composition for a performance alongside players from the Mugen Taiko Dojo. The course is suitable for those with experience in Taiko, who play regularly with a group, or for ambitious improvers. We use the "Mugen Taiko Do" method which focuses on KI energy, using the core & weight while playing, and developing "flow". Drawing from three decades of professional touring experience, we have developed a way of playing which uses minimum physical strain with maximum output, and our method focuses on harnessing natural powerful energy rather than muscle strength.

The main part of the piece will be Fuse-daiko (playing standing up), but also incorporating one or two other styles of playing - this will be selected by the participants themselves, with a menu of options given at the start of the workshop (such as Odaiko, Yoko-uchi such as Hachijo style, Fukui style including cross-hands, Yatai style, Shime-daiko etc).

We will work on technique for each of these styles, and all of the parts & rhythms learned will fit together for the final composition. Everyone will have the chance to learn and practice each style, and then each assigned a specific part for the performance. During the week we will also work on choreography, stagecraft and performance skills, which are some of Mugenkyo's particular areas of expertise.

The main instructor for the course is Miyuki Williams, head instructor at the Mugen Taiko Dojo & founding member of Mugenkyo. With over 30 years experience in the field, Miyuki has taught and developed all of the performers with Mugenkyo past & present. In addition to training with Masaaki Kurumaya Sensei while living in Japan in 1992-1994, Miyuki has trained extensively with various Taiko masters: Hiroshi Motofuji, Chieko Kojima, Watanabe Sensei.

This is a unique chance to learn from, rehearse and perform alongside members of Mugenkyo and the Mugen Taiko Dojo team at our Mugen Mid-winter Festival.

Costs

Workshop fee: £320 not including accommodation (fully self-catering)

Residential rates:

  • 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 in the evenings with us & get to know the other participants of the workshop in a relaxed atmosphere.

Food & Kitchen Facilities

The workshop fee does not include meals - the workshop is self-catering. Both residential & non-residential participants 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. If you prefer not to cook, we suggest a takeaway meal (Indian, Chinese, pizza, burgers, fish & chips available). For those without transport, we offer a supermarket stop on the way in to the Dojo from the train station, and also each day 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. 

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 Tuesday 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 11am, to arrive at Motherwell station in time to catch the 11:52am 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 longer, you are most welcome to do so - we can offer transport to the local train station (Larkhall or Motherwell) at £10 per person, times to be arranged.

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

Tuesday

  • 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)

Wednesday / Thursday / Friday

  • 9:30am arrival (non-residential participants)
  • 9:30 - 10am - meet & greet
  • 10am - 1pm - morning session
  • 1 - 2pm - lunch break
  • 2 - 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

Saturday

  • 9am - 12 midday - morning session
  • 12 - 1pm - lunch break
  • 1 - 3pm - afternoon session
  • 4 - 6pm - Performance
  • 7 - 10pm - Dinner & socialise with Dojo members (this is optional - some participants may prefer to drive home straight after the performance, if you have your own transport)

Sunday

  • 11am - departure from Dojo (later checkout is also fine)
  • 11:30am - arrival at Motherwell Station (for those without own transport)

Tickets

  • Workshop (exc. accommodation)

    This ticket is for the full weekend workshop but does not include accommodation at the dojo, which can be arranged separately after registration.

    £320.00
    +£8.00 service fee

Total

£0.00

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