On the 28th August, we had the amazing Toshi, Junko, and Sayaka from Wadaiko Rindo. Wadaiko Rindo is based in Melbourne, and is renowned for energetic and dynamic Japanese taiko drumming. Wadaiko Rindo’s performances and workshops in schools are very popular and have received a recommendation from the Victorian State Ministry of Education and provide an accessible and participatory cultural experience to primary and secondary students throughout Australia.

Born in 1959 in Kumamoto, Japan, Toshi Sakamoto has devoted his life to the art of Japanese drumming (wadaiko) and its advancement across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. In 1987 Toshi co-founded a taiko conservation group, the “Rindo Daiko Association” in Kumamoto, and began to perform. He received training from Takashi Fukuda, a percussionist with the Kumamoto Philharmonic Orchestra, and received intensive lessons and training from Ondekoza’s Yuu Imafuku as well as various well-known taiko teams in the area. Toshi also participated in the start-up of the Kumamoto Castle Taiko group.

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Born in Minatama, Kumamoto, Japan, Junko Sakamoto started playing an active part in Kumamoto Rindo Taiko Conservation Club in 1995. In 1997 she moved to Melbourne and joined her husband Toshi in teaching taiko classes and taking part in taiko performances.

We were so lucky to have the founding director and co-founder of Waidaiko Rindo at our school for the day teaching students from year seven through to twelve about Japanese traditions, music, culture. Every student had the opportunity to play the taiko drums and watch a fabulous performance of professional drummers.