An intense few days of taiko training, style-changing, talking taiko and meat on a stick…Almost falling out with Tokyo…
Another great day…well, it somehow turned out great after a 20 minute walk turned into a 2.5 hour chase around Asakusa trying to find Miyamoto Studio. We had left so early so we could scope it out and then go and eat something, but we ended up being 30 minutes late for our very first session with Amanojaku’s Watanabe-sensei and Chris Shigeo Holland…something we had tried so hard to avoid. But, I think they could tell that that was the first time I have ever known Jonathan to be late, and were very kind to us. I was blown away by the 2.5 hours of technique and drills that will be built into a piece over the next couple of days, and the difference in styles not only of playing, but in group leadership…so much to learn, and I am so lucky to be connecting with so many great people. It’s been a tiring day all in all, and having had some food and wind-down time, it’s bed time, ready for a full day tomorrow: lunch with Yoshihiko Miyamoyo, session with Amanojaku, and then a session with Kiyonari Tosha…I had better get some sleep!
Lunch with Miyamoto President
Today we had a full-on taiko day. At eleven o’clock we had the privilege of meeting up with Yoshihiko Miyamoto, the president of Miyamoto Unosuke Taiko, and Ai, our new taiko friend, at his store and being taken for a seriously delicious lunch. This was of course accompanied by some great conversation about the future of wadaiko in Japan, and current taiko trends that might affect the future of taiko in the long term. This is never just about Japan though, we discussed cheaper taiko being on the market and celebrated the opportunity it opened to people but also talked about the quality of taiko that might be sacrificed if not enough people experience the true sound of a good taiko. Taiko in the UK is always an interesting subject and with the UK Taiko Festival only just gone, we had plenty to talk about, and soon enough it was time for us to leave to play some taiko. Thank you so much Yoshi – you and Shoji were the ones who spurred me on to take this project seriously and that Japan is where I needed to come, and you were right. So valuable in all the ways you would expect and more.
Teaching style battenberg
So, for our first session with Chris teaching us without Watanabe-sensei. We arrived at the studio on time (Ai had helped us make sure of that) and went up to the top floor of Miyamoto Studio…quite easily he could have just gone straight into where we left off yesterday. We never expected anything else. But part of what has made me feel so much respect for this guy, and like him so much is that he saw what we needed, what Jonathan needed and wanted, and took some time to work on not only some other basics, but also on what Jonathan should be looking for when he gets back to the UK to teach them…it was a lovely moment for me to see Jonathan getting the help he never asks for but always wants. Chris is a taiko friend we’re going to be seeing again for sure. Oh, and then, of course, he ran a great session that was followed by us all chatting for 2 hours. I am already starting to feel sad about having to leave the incredible conversations that we’ve had in the last few days. Anyhow, there wasn’t any time to dwell on that…we had another taiko session on the cards,
This one was 4 hours long, with Tosha Kiyonari sensei. And that’s all I need to say about that, other than when 3 hours had passed and the class was over, Jonathan and I were happy for it to be beer o’clock, and in some state of shock at the experience we each had (both very different – if you’re interested, you’ll have to read my project report!!) but both agreed that this man is a great teacher. There was no denying that, and we happily celebrated that with some more great food (need to buy larger clothes when I get back I fear) before a well deserved rest and it all happens again tomorrow, with the added treat of a night-bus…
Our last session with Chris was intense, and wonderfully full of Jonathan and I hitting different walls, or as I prefer to say, meeting different goblins who play mind tricks on us…but finally we
have something we can definitely work with when we get home and we’ve both not only learnt so much new stuff, and so much of that is above and beyond physical playing of the taiko, we can’t stop smiling because it’s all been so good and we’ve loved it. I won’t lie to you. After walking with a taiko stand each to Miyamoto store for some bachi hunting, we celebrated in Asakusa with some beer. And some meat on a stick. OK, a few beers, and a few sticks, and although not all of the meat immediately identifiable and liver is never going to be my favourite thing, it was lovely to drink cold beer in the heat and eat and talk. It’s the simple things in life…
As we headed off to Tokyo station Jonathan and I couldn’t stop talking about our trip so far and that we had just had our last taiko session here. Favourite moment? Couldn’t tell you for anything. It’s been a continual stream of favourite things and I can’t quite think of leaving this place, although that’s what we have to do in a few days time…but right now we were off to find a bus that will drive us through the night and land us horribly early in the beautiful Kyoto…can’t help feeling a bit over emotional at how lucky I am to be here.
Leave a Reply