[WS] Taiyo Onoda (May 2026)

Onikenbai
Onikenbai is a Japanese folk artform from Kitakami city of Iwate prefecture. In 2022, Onikenbai was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage alongside other “furyuodori” or ritual dances from all over Japan. Kodo has been practicing a style of Onikenbai local to the Iwasaki region of Kitakami city since the precursor Ondekoza era. It is currently the first dance that the Kodo apprentices learn during the Apprenticeship. Through Onikenbai, Kodo apprentices learn the significance of folk arts to the local people, the importance of kuchishoga, and physically develop a strong, reliable core and lower body. Kodo firmly believes these elements are essential to playing taiko at an advanced level.

In this 2 hour workshop, you will learn a deeper history and meaning of this folk art form, and a portion of the dance to have a taste of what all the Kodo apprentices experience as they strive to become a Kodo performer.

(Onikenbai Reference Video)

WS #1: 5/25 (Mon) 6:00-8:00pm
WS #2: 5/25 (Mon) 8:00-10:00pm

Please note (1) the same context will be covered in both workshops; and, (2) participants will learn a portion of the Onikenbai dance (no taiko).

Location: Asano Taiko U.S. Small Studio
Fee: $80 per workshop
Capacity: 8 participants per workshop

Taiyo Onoda Biography
Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, Taiyo Onoda started learning taiko in 2001 at San Francisco Taiko Dojo under Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka. After graduating from college, he traveled to Japan to audition for Kodo Apprentice Centre in 2016, and successfully completed its intensive multi-year training program. Taiyo was selected to become a Kodo member in 2019. Since his debut, he has participated in numerous tours and performances with the ensemble, including several international tours.

In recent years, alongside his touring, Taiyo has been serving as an instructor at Kodo Apprentice Centre. He specializes in teaching taiko fundamentals and Iwasaki Onikenbai, a traditional demon sword dance from Iwate Prefecture. Taiyo also utilizes his Japanese-American bicultural background and bilingual skills to share his learnings and the Kodo philosophy taught at the Apprentice Centre with the global taiko community by organizing and leading regular workshop tours.

(Photo Credit)
Image 1: by Takashi Okamoto
Image 2: by Maiko Miyagawa
Image 3: by Tomohiro Yonetani
Image 4: by Tomohiro Yonetani

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Please note that our courses/classes/workshops are non-refundable.
Contact/お問い合わせ: taikola@asano.us