Starship Tokara

Wadaiko Tokara Video Podcast

2011-09-17T02:12:00.001-07:00

Japanese:
皆様こんにちは、
現在ヨーロッパツアーの半分が終わりました。これからイギリス、アイルランドの公演やワークショップとドイツのジャパンウィーク公演を準備をしています。
今までのツアーの写真やビデオ、このリンクへ行くと和太鼓トカラのポッドキャストが itunes から見れます。
http://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/wadaiko-tokara-europe-tour/id464561887

English:
Hello Everyone,
Currently, our Europe Tour is now half finished. From now, we are
preparing go to the U.K., Ireland for performances and workshops, as
well as to Germany for Japan Week Performances.
Now you can see pictures and video from the first half of our tour via
our new video podcast on itunes. To see these and to subscribe to
this podcast, please click on the following link.
http://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/wadaiko-tokara-europe-tour/id464561887

Sincerely,

和太鼓トカラ
Wadaiko TOKARA Japan
〒395-0813 長野県飯田市毛賀831-1
TEL/FAX: 0265-59-8768
Email: info@tokara.net
HP: http://www.tokara.net
*******************************
"TENCHI SHINMEI" World Tour:
http://www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/index-en.html

In Edinburgh

2011-08-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Third day of our Edinburgh Fringe Festival performances is finished. It's great to be back here again, yet for the whole festival this time. I'm looking forward to the coming weeks, though don't want them to pass too quickly...

New Tokara Office Opened

2011-01-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

The new office has opened and it's exciting!!! I've actually been working there since the 4th, and have been enjoying it. I guess that's because the real busy work hasn't begun yet.

We had the opening celebrations on the 15th. We didn't make it an open invitation because the office is quite small, but those we invited showed up to join us in celebrating. Eighteen people filled up both sides of the office, and we had a great time.
Internet starts working from tomorrow, so then we will be fully up and running...

Stardate 21121.5 - thinking

2010-12-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

Seems like a lot of things are happening, and yet not so much.
I find that most of the office work at the moment is designing and creating for voluteer projects, which is really great. Just finished the Tokara calendar and have sent it off to print. This is a calendar that I make every year and we give them to everyone who comes to our New Year performances, as well as friends and contacts.
As I think ahead to the coming year, I worry a bit about a lot of things, but am happy that I have the chance to do all of these great things that I'm able to do...and to be surrounded by so many good people.

One really great thing about the next year, Tokara finally has an office...I mean a space specifically dedicated to the office work that creates the gateway for artistic work that Tokara is doing. For me, this means a huge deal. A space where members can work and plan even when I'm not there, where people can get together and brainstorm about new ideas, oh the possibilities.
We're going to start moving all of the work related materials to the new space soon. Next, hopefully, a practice space, which is what we need most of all.

Thank you

2010-10-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

To everyone who so kindly wrote to me, thank you so much.
Actually, I didn't know that so many people read my blog until I found out that it is also forwarded to Facebook. That is why I wasn't so clear in what I wrote.
Some of you already know about my condition, but most don't.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis). It is a slowly progressive disease due to the regenerative properties of the liver, however there is no cure except for liver transplantation. Also, the disease causes other complications along the way. In my case, an unprecedented number of liver stones.
I was in he hospital to prepare for liver resection to remove to stones, however the doctors have recently told me that if I have liver resection, a liver transplant will not be possible when it becomes necessary according to Japanese law. Also, in most cases here, only live donor transplant between family members is possible. My wife, being the amazing person that she is, has offered. But she is considerably smaller than me physically.
Moreover, I can't see a possibility of liver transplant in the U.S. (of which I am a citizen) because I don't have health insurance there. And getting it is costly and sometimes impossible with a pre-existing condition.
Well, that's the worrisome part of my life. But I'm still happy with my life because I've got a great wife, two amazing kids (cute enough to be models, we think), great students in both my group and classes, and those taiko drums which forever challenge me to improve myself.
The chance to be cured would be a blessing for myself and my family.

Out again

2010-10-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Well, things changed again, so I'm out today after what seemed like another barrage of tests.
I just have to remain positive and try as much as possible to keep myself as healthy and strong for when the time comes for the part of my life that my family fears.
One nice thing to see, though is that there are a lot of empty beds here, which means more people are out enjoying their lives rather than being in hospital. It is good to know.

So, today I go to Tokara practice which will do a lot of good. We have two new apprentices, Takafumi Onozawa, who started in July and is really showing a lot of promise; and Kelly Reid from Sweden. Today will be her first official session as an apprentice. I am glad I can be there for it. It's an exciting time for Tokara. Good, dependable members, two apprentices, and everyone sharing the goal of working together to make Tokara the strongest performing group it can be.

Starship Tokara

Tokara in Edinburgh - First Day

2010-08-10T04:29:00.001-07:00

Tokara had it's first performances of Tenchi Shinmei on August 9th at
St. John's Church in Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival and the Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace. The
concert was a complete success with the theatre being nearly full at
240 audience member who applauded twice for no less than one full
minute (one after 'Hatou no Hibiki' and once after the encore of
'Buchiawase'). Hopefully we will be able to post pictures soon at
Tokara's official facebook site...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tokara/37594483598?ref=ts

Tokara Europe Tour Press Release

2010-07-08T01:22:00.001-07:00

Press Release

Internationally renowned Taiko Drumming group, Wadaiko Ensemble
Tokara from Japan is once again exploding onto the european arts scene
with a full concert called "Tenchi Shinmei" at St. John's Church on
Princes Street from August 9 - 20, 2010 - each day, except thursdays,
at 7:30p.m.
Also, at Exeter Barnfield Theatre in Exeter, Devon at 7:30 (with
workshop at 12p.m. to 2p.m.)

The group tours internationally four to five times each
year...enchanting audiences in their native Japan, as well as
highlighted tours Off Broadway in New York and throughout the United
States, Canada, Taiwan, and India. The group has also performed in
many festivals throughout Europe, including the 5th U.K. Taiko
Festival in Exeter which sold out for the first time. This year,
however, will be their first full concert here on the European
continent.

The groups list of accolades is daunting given how young the group
is. Art Lee and Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara has performed at: special
performance at the Japan Expo, two-week run Off Broadway in New York
and Carnegie Hall, the Taiko All-Star Concert in Tokyo Aoyama,
headlined at the Taipei City 120th Anniversary and Kelowna City 100th
Anniversary, and many others. Of particular note is Tokara's
invitation to perform at the single most influential taiko event of
this century: The Asano Taiko 400th Anniversary Concert in June 2009.
The leader of Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara, Art Lee, is renowned as one of
the leading taiko artist of our generation. Art Lee is the first and
still the only person in the world to be awarded an unsponsored artist
visa by the Japanese government to live in Japan as a professional
taiko performer, teacher and composer. He is also the only
non-Japanese person in history to ever win First Place at the Tokyo
International Taiko Competition.

Concert Details:

SCOTLAND:
Title: Tenchi Shinmei
Date: August 9 - 20, 2010 (except thursdays)
Place: St. John's Church Venue 127 - Edinburgh, Scotland
Time: 7:30p.m.
Tickets: £12.00
Ticket Details on the Festival website:
http://www.festivalofspirituality.org.uk/
Tokara Website: http://www.tokara.net/

ENGLAND
Title: Tenchi Shinmei (concert and workshop)
Date: August 27, 2010
Place: Exeter Barnfield Theatre (Devon County)
Time: 7:30p.m. (Workshop 12p.m. - 2p.m.
Tickets: £15.00 (concessions £10.00)
Ticket Details on the Theatre website:
http://barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/Shows/2010/August/Wadaiko%20Tokarae.html
Tokara Website: http://www.tokara.net/

Quotes from previous performances:

They communicated such joy...that I was absolutely enchanted...I felt
pure primal joy as the beat reverberated through my body... -
NipponDaze

"Catch them while you can. If you don't, you'll probably either live
to regret it or probably never know what you missed" - Edinburgh
Fringe Review

For more information, please contact Sakura Kinoshita at:
info@tokara.net or Tel:81-265-59-8768.

Workshop spaces still open

2010-07-04T00:43:00.001-07:00

There are still spaces available in only two more Tenchi Shinmei
Europe Tour workshops.

1. The four day Intensive workshop in Dublin from July 26 - 29; five
more spaces.

2. August 27th at the Barnfield Theatre workshop; ten more spaces.

Contact Wadaiko TOKARA Japan at: info@tokara.net
to book a place in these workshops.

Tenchi Shinmei Europe Tour Site:
http://www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/index-en.html

In Frankfurt

2010-06-30T23:37:00.001-07:00

I have arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, an event which marks the
beginning of Tokara's Europe Tour.
For the first two weeks, I am here in Germany for six non-consecutive
days of workshops here in Frankfurt and next weekend in Essen. I'm
already dreading that I forgot to bring my camera...there were some
great pictures that I could have taken. Like a dish that I had just
after getting off the flight called 'Handkäse'. It actually looks
like simmered Daikon, but the taste is quite strong for a first bite.
Mixed with diced onions, though, it is very nice.
While I'm on the topic of food, I just had breakfast at the hotel at
which I'm staying. Simple, yet divine. As I remember from my travels
to Germany in 1994, the bread here is second to none. In all the
countries I have been to, none comes close to producing bread like
this.
Well, I won't spend too much time writing when I can use this time for
exploring. First workshop tonight just down the road...looking
forward to it.

Here is a picture that I took with my computer. The view from my hotel.

Upcoming Tokara Tour News!!!`

2010-05-26T19:05:00.001-07:00

Art Lee and Tokara are going to Europe soon! We are on course for 32
performances and workshops in Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland and
England.

Concerts - Tickets for the concerts in Dublin and Exeter are going
fast, so get your tickets soon before they are sold out. Tickets for
Tokara performances at the Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and
Peace are on sale now. We will be performing at St. John's Church
Theatre everyday except thursdays from August 9th - 20th. All concert
details are available at the Tenchi Shinmei Official Website:
www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/index-en.html

Workshops -
Almost all of the 12 workshops in Europe are filled. However, there
are still five spaces left in the weeklong intensive workshop in
Dublin, Ireland for July 26 - 29. Once these five spaces are filled,
there will be no more spaces for workshops during the 2010 tour, so
sign up now to secure a place.
Dublin Taiko Intensive Workshop - July 26 - 29.
Details: http://www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/Irelandtaikoworkshopinfo.pdf

To sign up for this workshop, contact Wadaiko TOKARA Japan
(tenchi@tokara.net), or Taiseiyoo Taiko Ireland
(http://taikoireland.com/ArtCourse.htm)

Detroit Music Hall - April 24th, 2010

2010-04-26T12:53:00.001-07:00

The backstage door to the theater. The sign above says "Fallout Shelter"

Practice

2010-04-08T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today was a very beautiful day, and was the first time that I have
been able to have my own practice in quite a long time.
The spring air was still cool and crisp. The view was amazing.
Nobody came to complain about the noise. Good practice.
The Tenchi Shinmei concert in matsumoto is tomorrow. Looking forward
to it.

Hmmm

2010-04-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ipad. Do I plan on buying one? Probably not yet. Though I'm sure my
one year old daughter would be ecstatic if one mysteriously arrived in
the mail. Then she might guve me my ipod back.

Tokara Starship Weblog - March 31 2010

2010-03-30T03:55:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was the second concert and workshop of the "Tenchi Shinmei World Tour"and one about which I had been a bit...well...I suppose anxious would be the closest word. You see, it was in Hakusan City, in Ishikawa. This is not only the area in Japan with one of the highest concentration of pro and semi-pro taiko players, but it is also home to Asano Taiko; the most respected taiko company in the world and Tokara's taiko sponsor...
(to be continued when my computer battery is recharged)

March 11, 2010

2010-03-11T21:48:00.000-08:00

Jhendara took a day off today and we all went up to Ina to the
farmer's market. We've passes by dozens of times, but never actually
stopped before. They have a nice kids bookstore on the second floor,
and on the first floor......bionic carrots!!!

From Afar - Wadaiko Tokara Japan Newsletter December 2009

2009-12-08T17:13:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Performances and Workshops

"Kogeki Junrei" is a joint concert between three Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest Champions who have come together as "The Dream Team": Art Lee, Ryo Shiobara and Takumi Kato, with back-up cast by members of Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara and Gokasen. The first concerts on September 19th and 20th in Iida City were a smash hit. Both days were fully sold out and many have eagerly awaited details about the next production date...and now it is here. Nagoya Geijutsu Souzou Center in Nagoya City is set to be the next full production of "Kogeki Junrei" on June 25th. Soon after, the show will move to Tokyo, and will also soon be ready for release internationally. More details soon on the TOKARA website.

Tickets for Art Lee's new World Tour production "Tenchi Shinmei" go on sale at the end of this month. In the meantime, check out details at the official website.

Basic details for the 5th Annual Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival have been decided. The festival is split into two halves; the Saiwai Fringe Festival and the Super Show. This milestone event take place on June 26th, 2010, and the Super Show will feature performances by Wadaiko Kizuna Gokasen, Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara, and Special Guests, Oedo Sukeroku Daiko. Keep checking the website for updates.

**TENCHI SHINMEI Weeklong Intensive in Dublin**

"Tenchi Shinmei" is currently scheduled to make it's European debut in Dublin, Ireland with a weeklong intensive workshop in Dublin, Ireland from July 26th - 29th, followed a concert on the 30th. For more information and to sign up for the weeklong intensive, contact Taiseiyoo Taiko Ireland (host) at jennifer_edmond@yahoo.com or Wadaiko Tokara at info@tokara.net.

Each concert during the "Tenchi Shinmei" World Tour also come with workshops on the morning of each show. Spaces are limited to 10 - 12 participants per workshop so register early to a workshop in your area. To see the current list of performances and workshops, visit the official website at: www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/english.html

It has begun...

2009-09-21T21:50:00.001-07:00

The Winter and Spring 2010 "Tenchi Shinmei" Tour has finally been set
up. I'm really looking forward to starting this show.
The Official website is at: http://www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/index-en.html

Wadaiko TOKARA Newsletter - August 2009

2009-08-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

FROM AFAR
Wadaiko TOKARA Japan Newsletter
July 2009

BACK TO JAPAN

We have made it back to Japan after three months of touring and
production in the U.S., India, U.K. and Ireland. This has definitely
been Tokara's busy touring season, and also very much extreme
contrasts during each tour.
India was a very new experience for us. In May, Tokara was hired
by the India branch of the U.S. based sports channel ESPN to tour five
cities in India; which included Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad
and Calcutta. Before the first performance, the organizer informed us
that time has little meaning in India, and therefore each performance
would most likely start somewhat late. The performances went smoothly,
although each performance started no less than two hours later than
scheduled. This gave us plenty of time for extra practice and good
conversation with the staff. The food was great, much better in the
small out of the way places. Yellow Dal, a very common dish, was the
our main staple for breakfast, lunch and dinner...yet we never got
tired of it. One thing that we were told constantly by the organizer
was to always keep a two-liter bottle of water with each individual at
all times and stay inside between 11a.m. and 4p.m. because of the
heat...which usually climbs to 45 - 48 celsius in the summer months of
April and May.
By contrast, summer climate in the U.K. and Ireland in July was
beautiful...16 to 22 celsius, and often raining (for me, rain is
beautiful compared to 48 celsius). The schedule during this trip was
quite mild compared to earlier tour this year - two performances in
Camphill Devon and U.K. Taiko Festival in Exeter. Then up to Ireland
for a weekend workshops with Taiseiyoo Taiko Ireland and then a
weeklong workshop with participants from all over Europe. We also had
a short impromptu performance at the house of the Japan Ambassador to
Ireland. Later in the trip, we drove over to Lanarkshire to visit the
good people at Mugenkyo.
After arriving back to Japan, I could smell the festival air.
August brings the Tokara Bootcamp workshop, Hirugami no Hibiki
showcase and many festival performances around Obon Festival time.
The best festivals are definitely here, and I look forward to the
August - September festival season.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

On September 19th and 20th, the first of three scheduled performance
series of "Kogeki Junrei" will take place at the Iida Ningyo Gekijyo
Theater. "Kogeki Junrei" is a joint concert between three Tokyo
International Wadaiko Contest Champions who have come together as "The
Dream Team" : Art Lee, Ryo Shiobara and Takumi Kato. Details to be
released soon on the TOKARA website.

While Art Lee continues solo performances and touring, Tokara is off
from touring for a couple of months, and will return to touring "Sva
(Vital Force) with Ragamala Dance in Alaska during the latter half of
October. "Sva (Vital Force)" has been doing extremely well in touring
for the past three years with highlights including a two-week run at
Off-Broadway 42nd Street Theater and two weeks at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival. "Sva (Vital Force)" will also be touring in winter and
spring of 2010. Check often at Tokara's website for updated
information.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

**TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp**
Intermediate/Advanced Course "C"
There are currently three available spaces left.
Dates: August 27th - 30th (Two days workshop and
Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest).
Details on the course:
http://www.tokara.net/taikocamp.html

**Art Lee Workshops in Minneapolis, U.S.**
Wadaiko Artist Art Lee will introduce two of his most popular
workshops in the U.S. for the first time in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
'Hip-Up Taiko' is an aerobic-style taiko class with simple and fun
rhythms and lots of body movement. Also 'Taiko Stairmaster', the
ultimate taiko excercise to make both left and right hands equal.
These workshops have been taught all over Japan to many groups as well
as being big hits during Art's intensive taiko courses taught in
English in Japan; including the INADANI Taiko Drumming Course and
TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp.

Hip-Up Taiko (any level taiko experience)
October 8th from 6:30p.m. - 9p.m.
$45 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants
http://www.tokara.net/hip-up-taiko.html

Taiko Stairmaster (at least one year recommended)
October 9th from 6:30p.m. - 9p.m.
$45 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants
http://www.tokara.net/taiko-stairmaster.html

Weekend Intensive (any level taiko experience)
October 10th from 3p.m. - 8p.m. and
October 11th from 10a.m. - 1p.m.
$110 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants

SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN FOR 2010

***Every three years, the INADANI Taiko Drumming Course in Japan
changes from it's usual one week length to an intensely joyous two
week course. The year 2010 brings this two week special INADANI Taiko
Drumming Course which is called the "GRAND TOUR".
Participants study taiko in the heart of Japan for two weeks with
Wadaiko Artist Art Lee. Special visits to some of the best taiko
professionals in the world include sAkemi Jige - leader of the world
famous Hono-O-Daiko, and Shidara - one of the premiere taiko groups in
Japan.
Registration is now open. Only 15 spaces per week are available, so
book early to join this event that happens only once every three years.
Details at: http://www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

***Now you can order Original TOKARA Bachi and Eco-bags!!!***
That's right, Wadaiko TOKARA specially made bachi, the same style that
the group uses while playing that jazzy, knee-slappin popular piece
"Hatou no Hibiki" are
now available for purchase. Need something to put them in along with
your groceries?
New TOKARA Eco-bags are perfect for getting rid of using plastics at
the supermarket.
See details at the TOKARA Shop:
http://www.tokara.net/tokaramerchandise.html

***Along with the new workshops titled "Hip-up Taiko" (aerobic-style
taiko workshops), "Movement" (calm, slow yet dynamic movements based
upon building strong taiko form), and the ever-popular "Taiko
Stairmaster" (seven levels of taiko patterns designed to build equal
strength and dexterity in both hands), Art Lee and TOKARA will begin
steadily touring our new concert production "Tenchi Shinmei" from
February 2010. "Tenchi Shinmei" is Art Lee's new work inspired by the
late Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi. Calling upon the purest of Shinto
beliefs that within all things in the universe, both animate and
inanimate, reside the gods of heaven and earth.
More details available soon on the "on offer" page of TOKARA's website.

***It Is Confirmed - Tokara will be performing for the first two weeks
of the 2010 Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace, during the
2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We are looking forward to these two
weeks of performances at St. John's Church in the heart of Edinburgh.
This is set to be one of the highlights of what is quickly turning
into a two month full tour from July to August 2010.
In addition to the festival, Tokara is currently on the way to produce
five concerts throughout the U.K. and Europe, as well as a weeklong
intensive workshop in Dublin, Ireland.
Workshops in Germany and Scotland are also in the works.

和太鼓アンサンブルTOKARA - 昼神の響き公演お知らせ

2009-08-02T20:43:00.001-07:00

皆様こんにちは、和太鼓アンサンブル TOKARA（トカラ）はイギリスやヨールッパツアーから帰って来ました。
イギリスにて、7月2日障害施設で演奏して、私たちも客様の施設で住んでいる皆様が踊って楽しみました。
それで次の日、劇場にて TOKARAはヨーロッパ大陸初公演を出来ました。劇場が満席になって頂いて、公演が終わらなくてもスタンディングオベーションをしてくれました。
そんな認めをして頂き本当にありがとうございますとの気持ちがあります。
公演が終わってからアイルランドのダブリン市へ行きました。私は大学の時からずーっとアイルランドの音楽が好きで行きたかった。それで、2007年の冬は初めて行けました。ダブリン市にて一週間のワークショップをしました。アイルランド、ドイツ、スイス、セルビアなどの国から参加者が来ました。皆さんは良く頑張りました。英語を指導しましたから、皆さんは私が少しだけ分かるドイツ語で話しました。あああ、ドイツ語を持って勉強しなければなりません。
その最後は一曲が上手に習いましてから、外で演奏しようと嬉しく決めたけど、あああ、残念、雨が出来ました。さすが雨の国アイルランド。
日本に戻って来て、飛行機を降りた時、祭りのにおいが出来ました。よしゃー、大好きな祭りの季節が来ました。これから日本の夏が楽しみ...

それで、その楽しみについて、TOKARA の毎年の行う "昼神の響き" ミニ公演が行います。
期日：8月10 - 16日
場所：長野県阿智村昼神温泉郷　熊谷元一写真童画館 2階（昼神温泉観光センター）
時間：午後4:00 開演（演奏時間：約30分）
入場無料
チラシの見本は：http://www.tokara.net/images/2009%20hirugami%20no%20hibiki.jpg
時間があれば、ぜひ来てみてください。

TOKARA のこれからのスケジュールは：
http://www.tokara.net/tokaraconcertj.html

皆様、応援してきて本当にありがとうございます。これからも宜しくお願い致します。
アート・リーと TOKARA一同

和太鼓トカラ事務所
〒395-0813 長野県飯田市毛賀831-1
Eメール: info@tokara.net
HP: www.tokara.net

Upcoming Performances and Workshops

2009-07-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

PCOMING PERFORMANCES

On September 19th and 20th, the first of three scheduled performance
series of "Kodama Junrei" will take place at the Iida Ningyo Gekijyo
Theater. "Kodama Junrei" is a collaboration concert between three
Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest Champions: Art Lee, Ryo Shiobara
and Takumi Kato. Details to be released soon on the TOKARA website.

On October 3rd, Art Lee and Shakuhachi/Koto Ensemble Rivelta will
perform their joint concert "Tengei" as part of the Tsurumai Park
100th Anniversary in Nagoya City.
Art and Rivelta regularily perform together around Japan, and "Tengei"
has just finished it's third series to tumultuous applause at the Art
Hall Theater in Kanazawa City on July 23rd.

Tokara is off from touring for a couple of months, and will return to
touring "Sva (Vital Force) with Ragamala Dance in Alaska during the
latter half of October. "Sva (Vital Force)" has been doing extremely
well in touring for the past three years with highlights including a
two-week run at Off-Broadway 42nd Street Theater and two weeks at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. "Sva (Vital Force)" will also be touring
in winter and spring of 2010. Check often at Tokara's website for
updated information.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

1. Hip-Up Taiko (any level taiko experience)
October 8th from 6:30p.m. - 9p.m.
$45 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants

2. Taiko Stairmaster (at least one year recommended)
October 9th from 6:30p.m. - 9p.m.
$45 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants

3. Weekend Intensive (any level taiko experience)
October 10th from 3p.m. - 8p.m. and
October 11th from 10a.m. - 1p.m.
$110 (includes bachi) - Payable at beginning of class
Limit - 8 participants

SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN FOR 2010

***Every three years, the INADANI Taiko Drumming Course in Japan
mutates from it's usual one week length to an intensely joyous two
week course. The year 2010 brings this two week special INADANI Taiko
Drumming Course which is called the "GRAND TOUR".
Participants study taiko in the heart of Japan for two weeks, with
special visits to some of the best taiko professionals in the world.
Participants to the 2007 GRAND TOUR visited the late Grandmaster
Daihachi Oguchi, Akemi Jige - leader of the world famous Hono-O-Daiko,
and Shidara - one of the premiere taiko groups in Japan.
Registration is now open. Only 15 spaces per week are available, so
book early to join this event that happens only once every three years.
Details at: http://www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

***Along with the new workshops titled "Hip-up Taiko" (aerobic-style
taiko workshops), "Movement" (calm, slow yet dynamic movements based
upon building strong taiko form), and the ever-popular "Taiko
Stairmaster" (seven levels of taiko patterns designed to build equal
strength and dexterity in both hands), Art Lee and TOKARA will begin
steadily touring our new concert production "Tenchi Shinmei" from
February 2010. "Tenchi Shinmei" is Art Lee's new work inspired by
the late Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi. Calling upon the purest of
Shinto beliefs that within all things in the universe, both animate
and inanimate, reside the gods of heaven and earth.
More details available soon on the "on offer" page of TOKARA's website.

Performances in U.K.

2009-07-07T00:36:00.001-07:00

On July 2nd, we went to Camphill Devon, a Steiner community in
Buckfastleigh (Hapstead) where Yukari lived and worked for one year in
1997. It was her request that if we could have a Europe Tour anytime
in the near future, that we could go to Camphill and give a
demonstration. Of course, Tokara was happy to oblige, and we
performed a 30 minute set in a small bungalow in the garden outside of
Galahad House with many of the residents and neighbors dancing
outside. It was a lot of fun for them and us as well.
The next day, we performed at the 5th U.K. Taiko Festival in Exeter,
Devon. This performance actually wasn't part of our original Europe
Tour program, but not only did I wish to give a hearty 'Hisashiburi'
(long time no see) to the lads and lasses at Kagemusha Taiko, my
biggest hope was to clear up and rewrite with high spirits, a chapter
that had gone drastically wrong five to six years ago, and did not
seem to be clearing up by itself as time passed. Unfortunately, that
chapter was unable to be rewritten and has not been erased with the
passage of time, but the performance at the festival was a great
success for everyone involved. Four groups performed at the main show
of the festival: Issho, Kagemusha Taiko, Tokara and Taiko Meantime. I
was happy to finally see Taiko Meantime's performance after having met
Mark Alcock five years ago when I went to tour the U.K. as a member of
Daihachi Oguchi's Ashura-gumi group. Taiko Meantime had a nice
mixture of songs and a fun performance style. I look forward to
seeing them again.

U.K. and Ireland 2009 Tour

2009-07-07T00:01:00.001-07:00

We arrived in the U.K. on the first of July. I've been looking
forward to coming to the U.K. and Ireland for a while. This is our
fourth international tour this year, the first and second being in the
U.S. and the third being in India. India was extremely hot while we
were there, and Japan has been getting steadily warmer each day. So I
very much looked forward to coming here to enjoy the climate that
rarely goes any warmer than 32C. And Ireland is just the best
climate. I don't think I've experienced any day warmer than 28C
here...ah, so happy with the weather here. In addition to that, the
architecture, the landscape and the overall natural environment is so
bright and uplifting even on a rainy day. The English often fret
about the rainy weather here, and if I lived here, I might as well.
But as a visitor...even for many months, I welcome the rain and cloudy
sky.

Stardate 20961.2

2009-06-11T19:40:00.001-07:00

Now that I'm recovering from...Delhi Belly...I can say that Asano
Taiko's 400th Anniversary weekend was great, great fun. And the
feedback that we got from our performance from so many people
including Senmu himself was very inspiring to both myself as a solo
performer and to Tokara (my group). For those who don't know, Asano
Taiko is, by extremely far, the oldest and most skilled maker of taiko
drums in the world. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (only
every 100 years) to be a part of it, and only ten groups were chosen
from thousands. It was a great honor to be among the groups chosen.
pics to go up soon.

Back in Japan

2009-06-04T17:21:00.001-07:00

Just arrived back to Japan a couple of hours ago. Now on the way straight to Asano Taiko's 400th Anniversary concert venue in which we will rehearse just after arrival. Then the concert tonight. It has been a tight schedule, but i am honored that my group was chosen to perform at this once in a lifetime event.

Winter tour a success!!!

2009-03-03T01:34:00.001-08:00

We are back from the first tour of the year on the U.S. east coast. It
was a full schedule for two weeks, and a great success as Tokara and
Ragamala teamed up to present eight great performances of "Sva (Vital
Force)" in New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
"Sva" has been working so well for the past few years that we've
started talking about creating a second collaborative concert.
Within the next week, we'll be updating the schedule page, but if you
scroll down a bit, you'll notice a link to details of our first
performance in the U.K. for our tour in July has been posted...at the
5th U.K. Taiko Festival on July 3rd. We're excited!!! Updates for the
rest of the U.K. and Ireland Tour to come soon.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T19:03:00.001-08:00

Christmas has come to Japan, and it promised to be another of a long
line of foreign holidays celebrated in Japan by making it a
dating/compulsory shopping thing...without any of the real meaning and
joy that comes with it. I falter...
But this year was better. One reason was because Jhendara is here and
she made it all the more fun. She got a tin cup from a friend...it
really looks like a small version of a military cup for
everything...reminded me of "G.I.Jane" where the guy is jumping up and
down in his underwear, hitting his tin cup and screaming "I stole the
pie" over and over again. It was cute, though...Jhendara's cup, not
the movie...as she looked at it, looked at us, and then looked at the
tree as if to say,"Is there anything else?". Since then, though, she
has taken a liking to her military cup.
Also, we got a package of gingerbread men-playing-taiko, an original
idea from Susanna. Those were really nice, and just for a moment, the
smell took me back to a real Christmas. Thank you so much, Susanna.

December Newsletter

2008-12-21T06:35:00.001-08:00

FROM AFAR
Wadaiko TOKARA Japan Newsletter
December 2008

TOKARA 5TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR

Wadaiko Ensemble TOKARA will begin our 5th anniversary world tour
starting on January 1st, 2009 with four mini concerts in Hirugami Hot
Spa resort.
We are excited about this upcoming 5th year as we are looking forward
to touring our new shows.

Our international tour starts as we head off to the U.S. East Coast in
early Februaryto join Ragamala Dance for our ongoing collaborative
concert - "Sva (Vital Force)".
The preview debuted in May 2007 in New York City's Off Broadway for a
two week run. The full show debuted in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May
2008 to five sold out concerts, and has since toured throughout the
U.S., Japan and also won a five-star review in the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival.
This show, which premieres both Ragamala Dance, Wadaiko Ensemble
TOKARA and famed Sitar player Shubhendra Rao, will be touring in New
York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania
throughout February. Then the show will go on to tour in Oklahoma and
Southern California in late March and April.

Other plans for our world tour include Tokara's return to Canada in
May, European debut in Ireland in July, and once again performing as
the Japan representative group in Taiwan World Drum and Dance Music
Festival in November.

For Details on U.S. tour dates, check out our performances website at:
http://www.tokara.net/tokaraconcert.html
Please check back often for updates on performances throughout the year.
______________________________

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

The INADANI Taiko Drumming Course (the beginners intensive course) and
the TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp (intermediate/advanced intensive course)
has been set for 2009.
For those of you who might not have heard of these courses before,
each course is a weeklong taiko intensive course here in the heart of
Japan - Nagano Prefecture.
Both courses are taught by Wadaiko Artist Art Lee and are well
considered to be two of the most sought after courses offered
anywhere.
Why??
You can find all of that information on each courses websites, but as
a short overview;
1. Each course focuses on taking the taiko practitioner well beyond
what he or she believed to be their limit.
2. Participants have the chance to not only learn from Art Lee, but
other top taiko artists in Japan as well.
3. Participants stay in Misaka Ryokan, highly regarded by many as one
of the best Japanese Inns Japan has to offer.

In 2009, INADANI Taiko Course participants will, for the first time,
have a chance to participate in Iida's largest wadaiko festival - The
Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival -
produced by TOKARA with 2009 special guests - Shidara. INADANI Taiko
Course website - http://www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

After four to five days of intensive practice and Obon Matsuri
festivities, TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp participants will also travel to
Tokyo to participate in workshops and view the contests and All-star
concert of TAIKO JAPAN. TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp website -
http://www.tokara.net/taikocamp.html

In addition to these workshops, we are planning workshops during our
world tour to coincide with our concert schedule. Current plans are
for one day to weekend workshop in Minneapolis, New York, and Santa
Fe. If you are interested in booking a workshop in your area, please
contact us.
______________________________

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER

That's right, Tokara's first new member after three years is Kordian
Tetkov. Kordian is originally from Southern Germany, though he has
been in England for many years.
Kordian has been a member of Kagemusha Taiko in Exeter for six years.
He met Art Lee when Art went to Exeter as a resident instructor to
Kagemusha Taiko, and the two performed together when Kagemusha Taiko
hosted Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi's performing group Osuwa Daiko, of
whom Art Lee was a member. Since 2005, Kordian made his way to Japan
to study with Art for two to three months every summer and autumn, and
this year in August, he was accepted as a full member of
Tokara...Congratulations, Kordian!!!

And just to let all of you know, TOKARA is currently recruiting for
new members. It takes a great deal of dedication, respect and love of
the taiko. We look forward to hearing from upcoming hopefuls...
______________________________

OTHER NEWS

TOKARA's new (brand new, I say) promotion pamphlet for 2009 and 2010
is finally out!!!
You can get a look at it online at: http://www.tokara.net/tokarapamphlet.pdf
Oh...and do pass it around so everyone can get a look at this year's
featured member on the front cover, Yukari Ichise.

Take care, everyone. And we look forward to seeing you...out there...in 2009.

Stardate: 20812.20

2008-12-19T19:35:00.001-08:00

Finally finished the new Tokara - On Tour pamphlet.
That was quite a job, making that, but it turned out quite well and
I'm happy with it. Hopefully it will generate the kind of response
we're hoping for. Next is to translate it to Japanese...a fully
different monstrous job...
You can see part of the pamphlet on line at:
http://www.tokara.net/tokarapamphlet.pdf

Ho ho ho...

2008-12-06T20:34:00.001-08:00

Finally, we set up the Christmas tree with Christmas music in the
background. It will be Jhendara's first Christmas, and hopefully,
each year will be more and more exciting for her and us. Last year, I
was too busy with work and Christmas just crept up and was gone before
we had a chance to celebrate properly. This year needs to be
different.

last practice before U.S. Tour

2008-11-01T19:10:00.001-07:00

Stardate 20811.2
Today is admittedly a slow start day.
Though, one thing happened that made the day much nicer.
I received a package of kaki from Joe Small, who is currently an
apprentice with Kodo in Sadogashima.
It was so kind. I guess I thought so because we met a few times
before he came to take my Inadani Taiko Course in 2006. After that,
we didn't meet and later found out the he was in Sado. My own past
Tokara students don't even take the time to send a reply email, but
Joe took enough time to send me a package of kaki. The kindness of
people sometimes surprises me. Thank you, Joe.

Today, we will have one last rehearsal before heading off to the U.S.
east coast for our fall tour. As we will be gone for three weeks,
we'll pop in to Aini's soba shop. Aini is a little girl, probably 8
or 9 years old, who came to Hirugami no Hibiki Showcase almost
everyday in August. Then always hung out to talk and even help
loading the van after the shows.
Since her family owns a soba shop, and this time of the year is the
best for newly-made soba, we'll go and surprise her, and hopefully we
can have lunch together. Then up to visit Toyama-san at Misaka
Ryokan.

The real stuff

2008-10-29T03:50:00.001-07:00

A great way to end a strenuous work day...Maruchu Sushi!

The First Log

2008-10-28T22:43:00.001-07:00

I guess this is a good place to start up a weblog. I usually couldn't
stand these things, but since quite a few people have asked for one...
Another good reason for starting at this time is that Tokara's
contract for the Asano Taiko drum sponsorship has just run out. This
picture is just after I loaded up that big, Heavy, and beautiful
Odaiko into the truck for it's return trip to Asano Taiko.
Ah...farewell, my good friend.
Yup, we are pretty much left with no drums...though I'm not
complaining. It was extremely kind of Senmu to sponsor us for three
years. Now it is up to the group to work extra hard to buy our own
drums.
It's tough, though. Starting up a semi-professional or professional
group in Japan is really tough if you don't already have the finances
and enough fully dedicated members. Such a group has to wade through
the toughest debris to finally and eventually get their eyes above the
ground to see the light of day. It's understandable why I have yet to
meet another non-Japanese person who has even attempted the feat. But
the test is whether one takes the well-worn highway of giving up, or
the extremely narrow footpath of pushing on.

2009 INADANI Taiko Course -
www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

2009 TOKARA Bootcamp -
www.tokara.net/taikocamp.html