WORKSHOPS

Workshops are a great way to introduce people to the Taiko experience, promote Japanese culture,  get groups to work together and improve self awareness and confidence. We have done many workshops at schools, festivals, youth clubs, conferences and corporate events etc.
If you would like more information about booking Tengu School of Taiko for an event, please email: [email protected]

Upcoming workshops in 2026

Saturday 11th July

Workshop day with guest teacher James Barrow

2 separate workshops in 1 day
​Some Taiko experience is advised for these workshops.

Morning workshop - JUMP  10am - 12.30pm
Composed by James Barrow in 2020, JUMP! is a high-energy piece based on the bouncy “shichi-san” rhythm,
and is a firm favourite of many in the Taiko West community.
Although we are likely to stick to the regular standing posture for the bulk of this workshop, this piece is flexible in that
it can easily be adapted for playing across different postures such as “naname” diagonal style and “katsugi” over the shoulder style.

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Lunch 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Tea / Coffee / Juice provided.
Please bring your own lunch if you are staying for the full day.

Afternoon workshop - TAIKO BAYASHI  1.30pm - 4pm
Taiko Bayashi is fully established as a core piece of repertoire of the Hiroshima Taiko Hozonkai Preservation Society.
As with nearly all of the group’s pieces it is played in the horizontal position, normally a low,
crouching version of the more upright “yoko-uchi” or Hachijo style, and with bigger bachi.
It is normally this horizontal posture that players initially find more challenging than any complexity of the music,
especially since the different rhythms are fairly accessible with clearly identifiable sections.
Taiko Bayashi is also the most fluid and melodious of the Hiroshima Taiko Hozonkai Preservation Society pieces,
so if time allows we are hoping to be able to incorporate the “yokobue” bamboo flute melody and possibly “chappa”
hand cymbals as part of our final arrangement.

About James Barrow
James is the founder and leader of Taiko West, based in the West Midlands.
He has been playing Taiko since 1986, initially being taught in Hiroshima, Japan. James then started teaching
in 1993, on his return to the UK, and was the only Taiko teacher in the UK at that time.
He has been active in teaching and performing ever since.
To find out more about James, you can check out his Taiko CV HERE

Cost
Half day session £35 per person
Full day £60 per person
Booking is essential to confirm your place.
Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
To book your place, email Jared at [email protected]

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Venue
Tengu Taiko Dojo, Unit 3, Cleveland Industrial Estate,
Carr Lane, Sutton-on-the-Forest, York, YO61 1EY
Click to find our new dojo on google maps
what3words:  ///belonging.decoding.wizards

Please note that there is a 'no outdoor footwear' policy
for the Japanese Tatami mats and training area in the dojo.
You are welcome to train in your socks, bare feet or clean tabi (split toe) boots.
Grip socks (standard or split toe style) will also be available to buy for £2 a pair.

Parking
Parking is limited to specific areas to allow access to the neighbouring units.
Please do not park in front of unit 2, next door to the dojo.

Bus
There is a bus stop right outside the Dojo.
The number 40 York - Easingwold bus is the one to get.
Carr Lane / Cleveland estate stop.
For full timetable info visit: 
www.transdevbus.co.uk/coastliner/services/40/?date=2025-08-01#timetable-result​
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