New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Kunihiro Kawahara

  [三つ打ちの基本] In these drills, Hibikus instructor Kunihiro Kawahara introduces the basics of mitsuuchi: the “sound,” “how to strike” and “how to practice.” Mitsuuchi,...

New Hibikus Course: Irozome

This song is inspired by Japan’s festival music (matsuri bayashi), and incorporates rhythms that remind Maya of the joyful and pleasant feelings as well...

New Course: Composition Basics

  In this course Kaoru Watanabe teaches the basics of composing for taiko and fue. Composition Basics

kaDON LIVE: Katsugi Basics – Finding Your Groove with Eri Uchida

Instructor: Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Eri Uchida was a member of KODO for ten years. In addition to performing locally and internationally with...

kaDON Classroom: Yataibayashi with Coach Diana Wu

Have you been thinking about subscribing to kaDON, but you’re just not sure when you’d use it? Or are you subscribed to kaDON, but...

kaDON LIVE Community: Skills, Drills and a Little Bit of Lunacy with Lucy Thomas

Lucy has been playing taiko for 10 years and is an instructor at Kagemusha Taiko’s Taiko Centre in Devon, England where she teaches regular...

kaDON Practice Party!

Are you craving some fun, casual practice time with your taiko friends from across the globe? kaDON Practice Party is just what you are...

kaDON LIVE Concert Series: OTO GA TATSU | THE SOUND LIVES: Concert Series with Kaoru Watanabe and World Guests

ABOUT THE CONCERT SERIES Note: All sessions will be recorded and distributed to registrants within 1-2 days of each session. Recordings will be available...

Taiko-Tailored Workouts with Emily Harada

Join the kaDON team for these 60-minute workouts led by Emily Harada! Emily has been playing taiko for over 20 years with Ho Etsu...

kaDON Live: Find Your Taiko Breathing with Earth Gravity – Shogo Yoshii

Workshop Description RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 2021 – See new dates below All classes will be recorded and distributed to registrants within 1-2 days of...

Introduction to Edo Bayashi with Eien Hunter-Is

Instructor Profile Eien Hunter-Ishikawa is a musician, educator, and composer specializing in taiko, shinobue, and percussion. Recognized for his musicianship and versatility, he integrates...

kaDON LIVE Community Series: Tucson Ondo

Workshop Description Since first performing at the 2005 finale of Tucson’s iconic All Souls Procession (ASP), Odaiko Sonora has expanded its role, eventually creating...

New Hibikus Course: Mitsuuchi Renshukyoku

Kunihiro Kawahara teaches the Mitsuuchi practice piece composed by Toshiaki Nomoto, director of Hiryu Hachiman Taiko in Fukuoka, Japan. Mitsuuchi, or horse beat, is...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Maya Minowa

In these drills, Hibikus’ instructor Maya Minowa teaches three ways that you can practice at home. The focus here is “how to play efficiently”....

New Hibikus Course: Uteya-Hayaseya

“Uteya-Hayaseya” is a composition by Tsuyoshi Maeda based on the lively syncopated rhythm. In this course, Tsuyoshi will teach you the piece focusing on...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Amanojaku

Taiko Shudan Amanojak leader, Yoichi Watanabe, presents a series of practice drills by introducing sections from Amanojaku’s signature pieces “Tasuki,” “Bujin” and “Matsuri de...

kaDON LIVE Concert Series: Haruka & Akira – A two-part concert with Kaoru Watanabe

杳と暁 HARUKA and AKIRA   2020 has been the best of years and the worst of years. The global pandemic, the loss of so...

New Course: Shogo’s Approach to Fue

In this course Shogo delves into his approach to shinobue from breath technique and posture to ‘Uchiyubi’ and ‘Korogashi’. In the final lesson Shogo...

New Hibikus Course: Danran

‘Danran’ means ‘something circular’, as well as ‘gathering happily with people close to you.’ Taiko has a circular hitting surface, and this song comes...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Tsuyoshi Maeda

Taiko is a simple instrument, but your intention is important. In this three-part drill course, Hibikus instructor Tsuyoshi Maeda explains four basic ways to...

New Course: Wa no Ichi

Join kaDON instructor Kaoly Asano for “Wa no Ichi”. The piece is a great way to begin learning Kaoly’s groove style, where energy is...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Masaru Tsuji

Adding a metronome to your practice routine is always useful. In this drill series, Hibikus instructor Masaru Tsuji introduces an advanced method using the metronome...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Reach Yamauchi

Hibikus instructor, Reach Yamauchi, introduces various phrases to train your non-dominant hand as well as your sense of timing. Always practice both ways –...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Katsuji Kondo

Formerly of the renowned Kodo, and one of its founding members, Katsuji Kondo presents three drills from his beautiful Ongakudo in Nagano, Japan. The...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Indra

The founder of taiko project -indra-, Yuu Ishizuka is joined by members Yuhei Motoyama and Leon Toriyama to bring you the traditional Naname style...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Masaya Koike

Hibikus instructor, Masaya Koike, introduces fun patterns geared towards youth and beginner taiko players. These patterns can be rearranged freely to make up your...

New Hibikus Course: Three Drills with Kenichi Koizumi

Hibikus instructor, Kenichi Koizumi, introduces three drills that can be practiced at home. While it is hard to play an actual taiko at home,...

New Course: Ji Patterns and Improvisation

In this course Kenny emphasizes the importance of playing a strong ji and teaches several drills and exercises we can use to improve our...

April 10, 2020 kaDON Live Updates

 1. Weekly LIVE updates from kaDON at 12:30 PM PDT for about 10 minutes. Videos will be reposted on Youtube, Facebook, and newsletter...

kaDON Live Stream #2

Updates from the kaDON Team 1. Utah Taiko Experience Early Bird Extension https://kadon.com/utah-taiko-experience/ 2. San Jose Taiko 45th Anniversary Concert: Watch Party on Facebook...

Neiro Shime

This new installment in our “Neiro” series offers a high-pitch timbre specifically designed for kumidaiko or ensemble taiko playing. Buy Now Features:– Specially engineered...

kaDON Live Stream #1

kaDON TimbreTaiko

Practice Anytime, Anywhere! (電子和太鼓 Electronic Taiko) Price: $450 + shippingTwo-payment plan now available. Contact info@kaDON.com for info.   Buy Now   See User Manual...

Fall Retreat Registration Opens

Registration for the 2019 kaDON Fall Retreat will open for kaDON subscribers on 7/9/2019 and for the general public on 7/10/2019. For more information...

Interview with Kaoly Asano

Translated by Aya Yoshida:   Rakunatural Tsushin (Prema, Inc.) – Featured Article, May 2015 Vol. 92 Prema, Inc. 15th Anniversary Celebration GOCOO Wadaiko Live...

Introducing kaDON TaikoPay

kaDON TaikoPay makes premium quality taiko accessible to everyone.   Affordable Monthly Payment Plans Zero interest plans with flexible 6, 12, 18 or 24-month...

New Omiyage Bachi

  We are proud to announce our newest bachi the kaDON Omiyage bachi! This bachi is made of high quality hou and perfectly tailored...

Introducing the New “Neiro” Hirado Taiko

The Neiro Hirado Taiko is the result of legendary Miyamoto Craftsmanship. The body is made from premium quality Honkeyaki (Japanese Zelkova) and carefully carved thin...

East Coast kaDON Intensive

East Coast kaDON Intensive with Shoji Kameda Aug 20-21 | College Park, MD Mark H Taiko proudly presents an East Coast kaDON Intensive with Shoji...

kaDON Workshop with Leonard Eto

  We are very excited to bring taiko legend Leonard Eto to the Bay Area for a very special series of workshops on June...

ETC Wrap Up

Last weekend taiko leaders from across Europe gathered at Hannah’s at Seale Hayne for an unforgettable weekend of taiko. Jonathan Kirby, Lucy Thomas and the amazing people at Kagemusha Taiko organized...

Coming Soon: Taiko Set with Kenny Endo

We’re excited to announce our next course from Kenny Endo, Introduction to Taiko Set. In this course, Kenny shows why he’s a master of...

2015 Year-End / 1,000+ FB Likes Giveaway

UPDATE: Winner Announced Happy New Year everyone!! The lucky winner of our 2015 Year-End kaDON Gear Giveaway is Harisen Daiko! Congratulations!! We want to...

Perform with On Ensemble: Taiko Heros 2

Don’t miss a chance to perform ‘Ready Set kaDON’ and/or ‘Lion Chant’ with On Ensemble for our upcoming Taiko Heroes 2 concert series which...

Taiko Bachi Explained

We are excited to announce the release of our ‘Taiko Bachi Explained’ video! I get a lot of questions about bachi and it occurred...

kaDON St. Louis Workshop

Participate for the entire weekend or for the workshop(s) of your choice!   “Very well done! Great sequence. Nice blend of challenge and repetition....

On Location in Dunsmuir, CA - New Courses Coming SOON!

Shoji has been hard at work in Northern California filming new courses for kaDON. Check out some of these behind the scenes shots.  ...

Updates - February 19, 2015

Ready Set kaDON Lesson 5 Now that we’ve learned all the patterns we’ll need for “Ready Set kaDON!” (RSK) it’s time to start with...

Odaiko Basics Lesson 9

  Lesson 9 is the last lesson in our Odaiko Basics course! In this lesson Kenny Endo and I demonstrate a two person arrangement...

Happy NEW YEAR!

2014 was a great year! After quite a bit of behind the scenes planning and preparation we launched kaDON at the World Taiko Gathering...

Odaiko Basics Lesson 7

  This week we released Kenny Endo’s Odaiko Basics Lesson 7 which focuses on finishing the patterns used in Odaiko Kakeai Kihon Kyoku. Next...