The goal of the camp is to introduce 12-16 year olds to Taiko and the beauty of Japanese culture. It will be a way for participants to learn arts deeply steeped in tradition but can be integrated in modern life. Taiko in North America has its roots from Japan and has become a dynamic and relatively new Asian American art form. The principals of taiko we will be teaching are kata (form), ki (energy), wa (harmony/musicality), sozo (imagination), sonkei (respect).
Throughout the day campers will weave lessons that encourage cooperation, self-expression, and responsibility. Campers will learn basic performing skills, such as kiai (vocal), use of hara (center of the body and source of energy), rhythm, kuchi-showa (song syllabary), playing related instruments, and stage instruction.
History of the geography and history of Japan will be taught through storytelling, language, and traditional arts. Participants will take the information they learned and to participate in the artistic and cultural traditions. The campers will be asked to participate in kamashibai, which is the tradition of telling stories with storyboards. Throughout the week the campers will also participate in a variety of Japanese cultural activities such as origami (paper folding), haiku or shingin (poetry), and basic Japanese calligraphy.
The final stage performance presented on the afternoon of the last day of the camp will integrate kamashibai, poetry, art, and taiko in a performance created and produced by the participants. The hope is that the fun, energy, and knowledge participants were are a part of during the week can be shared with the friends and family.
| 9:00 | – | 9:15 am | Group activity and warm-up exercises |
| 9:15 | – | 10:00 am | Drumming |
| 10:00 | – | 10:30 am | Kamishibai |
| 10:30 | – | 10:45 am | Snack |
| 10:45 | – | 11:30 pm | Japanese Cultural Activity |
| 11:30 am | – | 12:30 pm | Drumming |