In the Japanese Culture, there are many ‘ways’. For example, there is ‘Kado’; the way of Flower Arrangement, there is ‘Chado’; the way of the Tea Ceremony, Kendo; the way of the Sword, Judo, Aikido etc.

It is through this ‘way’ that traditional Japanese Culture has been handed down through the past, through the ‘Essence of the Japanese Spirit’.

This quality, this tradition of the ‘way’ forms the very basis of life for the Japanese.

Having inherited this precious knowledge of the teaching of Taiko and wishing to preserve and keep it pure, I founded the Kurumaya Taiko Dojo in Miyama City.
Miyama, a place where you can hold a dialogue with Nature itself!

I realised that in the world of Taiko - where Taiko could be performed, where one be able to learn Taiko, where one could go to see a Taiko performance, there didn’t exist a real ‘way’ of teaching, a Taiko Do.

Since I preferred the way of ‘Do’, I realised that I had a dream to open a Dojo and not just a simple school.


STARTING WITH RESPECT ~ FINISHING WITH RESPECT (Etiquette and manners)

In the Dojo, before the actual practise or training begins, you adopt/assume a Zen Meditation position. You affix attention and become aware of yourself and the posture of your body. You weigh up, consolidate and unify your mind.

There are other rules of Etiquette which are required every time you enter the Dojo. Firstly, to greet the Dojo by bowing down and bringing the hands together (known as ‘gassho’), then entering by making the first step with the left foot into the Dojo (leaving firstly with the right foot).

By behaving in this way and having respectful manners, by opening and pouring out from the Heart, by following the correct procedure and using the appropriate conduct, it will become possible to improve the practise.

To improve your practise more, you need to train constantly and to do your very best. You need to practise with enthusiasm, wishing every time to put your entire self (wholly) into every single beat, whilst taking care of the partner playing with you. You need to throw the energy with all your might, putting all of your energy into that exact moment when you hit the Taiko. It is at that precise moment only that you can show the sound’s colour and tint. It is then that the sound’s echo will continue throughout eternity.