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雨の後 Ame no Ato

Taiko @ Montréal / Tiohtiá:ke

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ame.no.ato

🎶 Taiko duo based in Tiohtiá:ke / Montréal, QC Canada
🌱 Rooted in tradition | ✨ Sharing our passion for Taiko 🎵
Email us for performance inquiries

As 2025 nears its close, we wanted to express our As 2025 nears its close, we wanted to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for all of the people that have helped to make the opportunities and collaborations that we have had this year possible. We are truly grateful for the support and encouragement that we’ve received as we continue on our taiko and dance journeys from family, friends, taiko artists, mentors and teachers as well as taiko appreciators. Thank you for being there and for continuing to support and encourage us. Wishing you all a great start to the new year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2026! :) 💕
The natural beauty of Sado As the wintery-cold -15 The natural beauty of Sado
As the wintery-cold -15C weather continues here in Montreal, our minds are drifting back to the +40C days in Japan from this summer and to Sado. This beautiful island in the sea of Japan, off the north-eastern coast of Japan, is located about a 7-hour transit from Tokyo. We had the pleasure to experience first-hand some of the many wonders the island has to offer as we drove from the southern tip to the northern tip and back. Definitely better experienced in person as the pictures don’t do it justice, but we thought we’d share some of it all the same. 🥰

 Notable highlights included:

The natural linked islands of Yajima and Kyoujima in crystalline ocean waters 🏝️

Driving along the narrow roads hugging the rocky cliffs, overlooking the Japan ocean ⛰️

Climbing down and bathing near Futatsugame 🏖️

Climbing all the way up and getting a panoramic view at the northern tip on Onogame 🏞️

Driving up beyond the clouds overlooking the middle valley on the Sado Skyline 🌤️

Walking between the buildings of the preserved fishing village of Shukunegi 🎋

Cycling past the endless lush green rice fields that grow the delicious Sado rice 🚲

Oh, and if you enjoy fresh seafood, you’re in for a real treat 🙂 🦐

There is a genuine peacefulness as you let your senses delight in and absorb the natural beauty of this island. It is no wonder that Kodo members are inspired and nurtured by the mountains, forests, and ocean and all that is present on this small, yet bountiful island. We highly recommend visiting if ever you have the opportunity!

#sado_island #nature #onogame #futatsugame #shukunegi #ogi #japan #travel
Farnham Nikkei Memorial Earlier this month, a mon Farnham Nikkei Memorial 
Earlier this month, a monument was unveiled in Farnham, QC, to pay tribute to the Japanese Canadians that came through Farnham after the Second World War. This project saw the light of day thanks to the tireless efforts of @julietamiko and the committee at the @najcqc and many others who made this event possible. 

We had the honour of playing our piece, Shizue no Michi, a piece we wrote that was inspired by @sakamotomark ’s book, Shizue’s path, to pay tribute to the resilience of Japanese Canadians, particularly those relocated, displaced and affected by internment along with their descendants. We had the pleasure to play alongside @candiacmom , @santatkad , @julietamiko , @sara.breitkreutz , @jasontsunokawa and @sean_wolanyk7 for this event. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of this historic day.

More info can be found at farnhamnikkeimemorial.ca  and other links on the @najcqc site.

#FarnhamNikkeiMemorial  #JapaneseCanadianHistory #QuebecHistory #CommunityHeritage #NikkeiResilience
#neverforget
What a milestone! Congratulations @kyotofleurs on What a milestone! Congratulations @kyotofleurs on 10 years of hard work marked by many successful collaborations and thousands of flowers! 🎉💐We had the pleasure of celebrating this wonderful achievement with @marilouyg last month. Thank you for your kindness and friendship! We wish you another successful 10 years and beyond! 🥰

📷: thank you to Ian Woo for the photos

#taiko
#flowers
#kyotofleurs
#celebration
#milestone
Day 10’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechalle Day 10’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge  is “Relief”

So many moments of relief, so few pictures that quite capture the feeling. 😊 Taiko players can probably relate to how good those post-show meals and drinks taste. Somehow, everything tastes better after Taiko and even more so when the heat and humidity of summer are at their highest! 😉

Raising a glass to all the Taiko players out there. Thank you for pouring your hearts and souls into your craft and sharing your passion for this art form. Special thank you to @nendaiko for creating this #taikolovechallenge and giving us all a chance to share and get to know each other a little better 💕

#taikolove
#relief
Day 9’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challe Day 9’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challenge is “Voice” 

As Taiko players, we often use our voices in the form of kiai to encourage our fellow taiko mates or to psych ourselves up to power through a challenging section of a piece. Some of us dare to venture into using our voice to sing preluding or interwoven into a taiko piece (not naming names, but for some of us, this can be quite intimidating!). Though we may not be naturally talented at singing, it doesn't stop us from working on it!

Having never formally done any voice training, it was surprising to learn how much of our bodies contribute to our voice. Or how natural uses of different parts of our bodies could be used to enhance our voices. We had a glimpse of this when we took an online lesson with @yumingo36 and @eri.taikoin. We coughed, gagged, and made faces like when you are eating something very sour, trying to activate and enhance our voices.🤪 🤣 Got you curious? You could try this out yourself in the upcoming @kadontaiko voice course with @eri.taikoin, @yumingo36 , PJ @taikopeace, and Yoko Fujimoto @sannya45 . 😉

#Taikolovechallenge
#voice

#taiko
#singing
Day 8’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challe Day 8’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challenge is “Construction” 

All of the taiko folks we have come across in our adventures in North America have had to get crafty somewhere along their group's taiko journey. Albeit the professionally made equipment is beautiful to all of our senses, there is something very personal and precious in hand-making some equipment, whether it be stands, taiko, or even bachi! We have had fun over the years getting our hands covered in wood dust, stain, glue, and even the occasional splinter or cut when taking a stab at building some taiko and stands. With the help and guidance of some wonderful friends 💕, some handy tools 🔨, and some nice outdoor weather🌤️, we have been able to make a few pieces of equipment that continue to support our taiko adventures 🥁✨🎋.

#taikolovechallenge
#construction

#japanesedrums
#woodworking
#crafting
#taiko
Day 7’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallen Day 7’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge is “TaikoCam” 

As taiko players and performers, we often find ourselves in front of the lens. Whether it be candid pictures at an event, videos of a performance, self-videos during practice, or profile shots, you name it, there are countless opportunities between taiko and camera. Out of all of these however, today's theme reminded us of our early video project in our first year (i.e. pandemic time) that eventually resulted in our promo reel. We took many takes from many angles, (with many blooper moments in between), then re-watched and stitched frames together to try and share our joy and passion for taiko through video. Not only did we spend time in front of the lens, but we also spent a lot of time behind it, getting a sense of what the viewers see. Definitely gives a whole new perspective and appreciation into camera work! Extremely grateful for some very special folks who helped make this project a reality that day. 💕

Shared here are a small fraction of the many clips that did not make it into the final product. We should have made a blooper reel, but that will have to be a project for another day. 😉

#Taikolovechallenge
#Taikocam

#Taiko
#Japanesedrums
#canallachine 
#fiveroses
#iconicmontreal
Day 6’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challe Day 6’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolove challenge  is “our home” 

There are many meanings of "home", it can refer to where you are from, where you live, the physical structure, the people there. "Home" is a place to return to, where you hopefully feel safe, and welcome. Taiko is home for us, a place to process and express, to be ourselves. 

Grateful for the people who have contributed to making taiko home and the opportunity to continue to connect with others through Taiko. 💕

#taikolovechallenge
#home

#Japanesedrums 
#taiko
Day 5’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallen Day 5’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge is “renewal” 

Throughout all that we’re exposed to in taiko, as excited as we get with new pieces, new styles, new drums, new projects, there is always a sense of renewal when revisiting fundamentals. Returning to the very essence of taiko, breathing in a stable form, awareness of every single stroke, these elements are grounding, and there is something almost meditative in revisiting and renewing our awareness of and practice of these elements. It is akin to how the deeper roots permit a tree to reach new heights, passing through the seasons and blooming anew each time. Much gratitude to the many teachers and guides that have taught us along the way. There are far more teachers and guides that we have had the good fortune to meet along our journey than we can properly pay homage to in this brief post, nevertheless, here are a few more recent photo memories. With their teachings in mind, we continue to renew the fundamentals.

#taikolove
#renewal

#gratitude
#taikoteachers
#japanesedrums
Day 4’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallen Day 4’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge  is “Merch” 

And is there any merch more practical than a Spare bachi bag!?

Taiko players are already familiar with the need for spare bachi when performing. Shout out to @naobynaoko for her beautiful bags for holding spare bachi. You can’t see the spare one on the back of the taiko here, but here is a demonstration of just how useful these bachi bags are for quickly recovering from mishaps during performance! Ok, maybe this was a slow recovery, as we were pretty stunned that this happened so early in the piece since it usually happens later in this piece! 😀 (Those of you who know Sugamen 🥁 by Kris Bergstrom, know what we’re talking about 😉). Thanks @naobynaoko for helping to save the day 😉

#Taikolovechallenge
#merch

#AlwaysBePrepared
#JapaneseDrums
#SpareBachi
#TaikoGear
#Taiko
Day 3’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallen Day 3’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge is “halloween” 

And what could possibly be more halloween than a halloween 🎃 cat🐈‍⬛ in front of an old practice taiko 🥁? Ok… maybe a bit of a stretch (see #2 🐈) but somehow our love of taiko and cats is just one of the first things that came to mind when thinking of halloween 😉 We love dogs 🐕and other animals too 🐇🐥🐒! 🙂 Just didn’t have a picture of ‘em with a taiko 😉 😸

#taikolove
#halloween 
#taikocats
Day 2’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallen Day 2’s theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge  is “we fancy” 

There are countless things that we fancy, but one from the top of the list is most certainly taiko “roadtrips”! That opportunity to catch up on stories, consolidate ideas, brainstorm new projects and plans, kuchishouga some pieces or just enjoy the scenery, what’s not to love about a taiko trip? 🥰 Also knowing that there’s some taiko-related event at the destination is pretty exciting too 😜 🥁 We spend a lot of time practicing, focused on working on technical elements, but road trips provide that extra opportunity for inspiration and adventure, a breath of something different that often somehow ends up making its way into our performances or composition ideas one way or another 🎶✨🎋

#taikolovechallenge
#taikoroadtrip
#wefancy
Day 1's theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge Day 1's theme from @nendaiko's #taikolovechallenge is "welcome!" 😊

You could probably take photos from just about any Taiko event and apply the label "welcome" to it because that's who the Taiko community are, warm and welcoming folks with a passion for Taiko, both at home and abroad. We were reminded of that once again this summer on Sado as we were warmly welcomed by an international community of Taiko players and Taiko enthusiasts. Thank you Taiko community for being the warm and welcoming souls that you are. Always a pleasure meeting you and drumming with you 💕

#taikolovechallenge 
#welcome

#TaikoCommunity
#kodoheartbeat 
#earthcelebration 
#sadoisland
Earth Celebration – Day 3! (A little late in posti Earth Celebration - Day 3! (A little late in posting – life happens 😉)

Day 3 held more beautiful and magical moments from witnessing Chieko-san dance and play taiko with her daughter, working on shinobue skills with Yasukazu Kano, getting to see another amazing Kodo collaboration concert – the Kodo earth Beat groove show and a chance to get to make new friends and spend more time with old friends, what more could one ask for? Oh, perhaps the ability to clone ourselves, as of course there are often other simultaneous events happening at once and we couldn’t see everything, but we soaked in as much of the beautiful energy that we could in the hopes that we can find ways to continue to share it forward with others.

Highlights: 

- Seeing @chieko9262 dance at Kisaki Shrine👘
- Chieko-san playing hachijo with her daughter🎋
- Making more new friends and catching up with old friends! 🥰
- Shinobue workshop with @yasukazu_kano 🎶🪈
- Day 3 harbor concert: Kodo Earth Beat Groove 🪘🥁 with Aly Ndiaye Rose, @benaylon, @baye_dame_bou_yaye and @jaecholchoi
- Getting to know @ikkontaiko members a little more 💕

The @earthcelebration_sadoisland festival is such a beautiful gathering of fantastic energy and spirits from all around the world that we wish could go on forever, but perhaps the short ephemeral nature of it is part of what makes it so magical. 

 Thank you for this beautiful experience! 
Hope to be back again someday!

#sadoisland
#earthcelebration 
#summerfestival 
#japanesedrums
#taiko
#ogi
Ogi Matsuri 🎊 Day 2 – Onikenbai 👺🗡️🪭 Ogi Matsuri 🎊 Day 2 - Onikenbai 👺🗡️🪭 kadodzuke🚪

This year's Japan trip started with and ended with Onikenbai, coming around full circle! We prepared for this day-long dancing celebration where the group goes from door to door, dancing for the residents to ward off bad spirits and bring in good fortune. We prepared during the week, dancing at several locations around Sado, and also the group rehearsal on Friday evening where we were reunited with the apprentices and Sado Onikenbai. We even had surprise guests from Kitakami's Iwasaki Onikenbai join in on the dances and offer us guidance. 

We danced the day away in the hot and humid Sado summer weather to the lively music and kiai of the okado. It was our last day on Sado so we didn't hesitate to capture a few more shots with our good friends! 

Hopefully all the dancing brings another fortunate year to the residents of Ogi! Until next time!

#latergram
#sadoonikenbai #ogi #ogimatsuri #onikenbai #folk #dance
Earth Celebration – Day 2 ! 🥁🎋🎐🎉 Day Earth Celebration - Day 2 ! 🥁🎋🎐🎉

Day 2 started with such a high from the Little big taiko Fest playing with groups from Brazil, Japan and of course Kodo, that it was difficult to imagine that it could get any better, yet it did! The Day 2 harbour concert collaboration between Kodo and el Tempo was quite electrifying, truly something that needs to be witnessed live and that was followed by a surprise late night concert in beautiful Shiroyama park! Very grateful for one of the most perfect days on one of the most beautiful islands. Our hearts were very full from all the Day 2 energy! Thank you EC!

Some Day 2 highlights:

- Little Big Taiko Fest! 💕
- Kodo village visit 🥁
- Getting to try playing an anklung! ✨🎶
- Day 2 concert: Kodo x El tempo 🔥🥁🔥
- Sado Okesa 👘🏮
- Surprise Kodo night concert in Shiroyama park 🎋🎐
- Making new friends 🥰

#sadoisland
#earthcelebration 
#summerfestival 
#japanesedrums
#taiko
#ogi
Earth Celebration – Day 1! 🥁🎋🎐🎉 A lit Earth Celebration - Day 1! 🥁🎋🎐🎉

A little jet lagged after a long commute, but the energy and excitement of EC washed the tired away! 💕 Had been looking forward to being back on beautiful Sado Island and witnessing the pure joy and energy of Earth celebration 🙂

 Some Day 1 highlights (photos in random order 🤣)

- Arrival from the Sado Ferry🚢
- Harbor market & catching up with old friends 
- Saeki Bayashi
- Fukaura school house for equipment selection
- Kodo apprentice presentation
- Kodo's Ogi stroll
- Day 1 harbour concert: Kodo Synergy 💕🥁🎋

The Kodo Synergy concert was truly magical under the lights that shone like stars ✨, my breath was completely taken away by this show. Thank you Kodo for filling my inspiration cup to overflowing. 

#sadoisland
#earthcelebration 
#japanesedrums 
#summerfestival 
#taiko
#ogi
#kodo
Participating at Michinoku Geino Matsuri for a 3rd Participating at Michinoku Geino Matsuri for a 3rd year in a row, I'm finally starting to feel the familiarity of the festival and starting to absorb what is Geino! Before the Matsuri, I had the opportunity to train with the generosity of the local masters as well as fellow dancers from Sydney and USA (thank you @sydney_onikenbai for letting me join!). The days started early and ended late, with many dances, moving up and down to the live beat of the taiko and melody of the fue. We were enlightened by the detailed advice of our masters and Niwamoto san, who still dances fiercely at 77! I was humbled by both Niwamoto's energy and the eagerness of team USA students. Despite tired legs,  my soul was invigorated to keep learning and improving, to honor the effort and energy that the masters so generously offer. I also really enjoyed both meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones from the various Onikenbai teams from around Japan and abroad. Successfully surviving the main festival days, I was further honored to learn from J sensei with some further training. I've got a lot of work ahead of me to internalize all this learning and to share with my fellow dancers back home. 頑張ります!!

#onikenbai #kitakami #michinokugeinomatsuri #dance #folkart #鬼剣舞 #onikenbaimtl
So humbled and grateful to have been able to be a So humbled and grateful to have been able to be a part of Little Big Taiko Fest 2025 along with @ikkontaiko @musashi_seiran, 小野ラファエル真二, @kodoheartbeat and @earthcelebration_sadoisland. We had a lot of fun playing Kodo's Haruka together with everyone and loved seeing each group's individual character through their own styles and pieces. Thank you Kodo for putting this fest together where we enjoyed getting to know taiko players from different parts of the globe, and learning about their approach to taiko. Playing Kodo's One Earth music and being part of this little big taiko fest reminds us of how taiko can be both a connector and way to communicate joy, both for the players and the audience. We are forever grateful for this opportunity and deeply moved by all the energy and talent we witnessed. We will treasure this experience for years to come by continuing to share the joys of taiko. 

#latergram #littlebigtaikofest #taiko #sado #earthcelebration #kodo #amenoato #festival
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Ame No Ato

Montreal, QC, Canada

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