Taiko Performance Course

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.

For the June course, the main part of the piece will be Fuse-daiko (standing up style), with a section of Hachijo-style (playing to the side) and Odaiko (big drum). The Hachijo style originates from Hachijo Island, where the defeated samurai, exiled to the island, developed a way of playing to mimic the motion of brandishing their confiscated swords. 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 one 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 1992-1993, Miyuki also studied the Hachijo style of playing with Chieko Kojima from Kodo, who toured the UK with Mugenkyo in 2004 & 2005.

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

Costs

Workshop fee: £380 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 Wednesday 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 Monday we offer a lift leaving the Dojo at 9:15am, to arrive at Motherwell station in time to catch the 9:52am 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

Wednesday

• 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)

Thursday / Friday / 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
• 9am - 12pm - morning session
• 12 - 1pm - lunch
• 1 - 2pm - afternoon session
• 3 - 5pm - Dojo Summer Concert
• 6 - 8pm - Dinner & socialise with Dojo members
• (this is optional - some participants may prefer to drive home straight after the concert, if you have your own transport)

Monday

• 7:30am onwards - help yourself to continental breakfast
• 9am - departure from Dojo (later checkout is also fine)
• 9:30am - arrival at Motherwell Station (for those without own transport)