Abbotsford Taiko Workshop Report

Don, don, don, taka, don, don, don …

 

Wow, what an exhilarating, thrilling Taiko drum experience many of us were privileged to engage in on Sunday 22nd September 2024, led by our master Taiko drum teacher, Sensei Toshi Sakamoto - choreographer and composer.

 

By special invitation, ten members of our Frankston taiko group arrived, and engaged in an amazing afternoon workshop in Abbotsford with Toshi's Wadaiko Rindo group and the Japanese Association of Geelong taiko group.

Group warm-up - note the noise reducing covers on the drums

Sensei Toshi amazed us all, by leading and entwining the workshop, with a variety of challenging new drum combinations that tested our cognition, coordination, balance, fitness and  egos! Like a true master, and unbeknownst to each of us, he cleverly and patiently, had taught different specific taiko compositions over several months, to each of the three groups (Frankston, Geelong and Abbotsford). We each learned, and practiced our unique composition at our specific locations, which Toshi then weaved into a magical drum performance, where each became players in his musical masterpiece.

 

Members of the three groups practicing together

Like several waves overlapping and interlacing, we experienced the thrill of being part of something  so much bigger than ourselves and our own taiko groups – to embody being part of his genius choreography, whereby he transformed the 30 people in the room to join together, but each playing different parts. We became Sensei Toshi’s orchestra, led by Toshi himself.

 

Each group performed their own composition (mistakes, bachi flying and brilliance included) whereby we were mesmerised by the variations, skills, complexity, diligence and intricacy which was displayed. The more experienced taiko players inspired us with their combinations, fitness and layering techniques, whilst the beginners were happy to just have a go, bringing smiles all round and a joyous union of people making music, celebrating and having fun together.

Our group's performance before a very supportive audience!

We had the opportunity to practice together, and later to “have a go” playing all the different drum sizes and drumming styles – shime-daiko, katsugi oke daiko, okedo-daiko, miya-daiko, nagado-daiko, o-daiko – small to large to huge! Each drum required different skills e.g. side hitting, hitting the large o-daiko drum with strong forceful arms, sitting on the floor and playing a fast-drumming  pattern, abdominal strength holding yourself in a C shape position sitting on the floor whilst hitting the miya-daiko, lunging & twisting and balance of different kinds. We were all entranced by Toshi’s brilliance and uplifted and inspired to keep Taiko alive in Frankston.

 

We were also treated to a performance of the Eisa Okinawan Folk Dance – a slower, flowing drum dance similar to tai chi movements which uniquely provides the opportunity to use a small tambourine type drum, using dance movements that can improve co-ordination, balance, posture, fitness and focus – great for assisting falls prevention too!

Japanese Association of Geelong Taiko Group's performance

The workshop concluded with Toshi’s amazing Wadaiko Rindo students displaying a number of skilful taiko drumming performances which mesmerized and inspired us with their awesome precision and talent.

 

After the drumming performances we were offered a delicious afternoon tea, and a photo session of all the attendees and an opportunity to socialise and meet the different participants which ranged in age from 10 to 90 years old.

Frankston Taiko Drumming Members

Thank you to St Philip’s Anglican Church for  providing the location in which to meet and to Toshi and his team for hosting this event!

 

Our Frankston group then later enjoyed a lovely dinner together at Chotto Motto in Collingwood – a kooky, fun style restaurant with miniature dinosaurs, dolls, superheroes and a wood fireplace that kept us warm, nostalgic and chatting about our day and  grateful for the food that nourished us.

Frankston Group photo outside Chotto Motto

We look forward to meeting again for another joint workshop with Wadaiko Rindo and the Geelong Taiko group.

Article by Nicole Mahl, with images thanks to Peter Bargholz.

Commendation Awarded to Peter Patterson - September 2024

On September 3^rd 2024 the Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA) committee welcomed the Consul-General of Japan to a very special committee meeting held at Frankston City Council Chambers.

Consul-General Shimada, Peter & Margaret Patterson, and Mrs. Shimada

Consul-General Shimada attended FSFA’s committee meeting to present a special commendation award to Mr. Peter Patterson, former FSFA Chairperson. Peter was acknowledged for all his hard work promoting Japanese culture within the community, and for ensuring the relationship between Frankston and its sister-city, Susono, continued to thrive during his many years as Chairperson. Peter was also instrumental in re-writing the rule-book for sister-city relationships, as he was able to come up with innovative ways to ensure the sister-city relationship with Susono continued to flourish.

FSFA Committee with Patterson Family & Special Guests

Consul-General Shimada and Mrs. Shimada spent time mingling and chatting with members of the FSFA Committee, FSFA Life Members and members of Frankston Council. The refreshments provided by Frankston Council were enjoyed by all. After the formal presentation by Consul-General Shimada to Peter Patterson, the FSFA committee delivered a presentation to our special guests which included a brief history of FSFA, followed by current activities and plans and goals for the future.

Current Treasurer & Life Member Bev Hannan with Life Members Vic Walker and Rod Johnston

Currently the FSFA committee are supporting Taiko drumming lessons for members of the Frankston community and are planning to support a delegation from Frankston to attend the 2025 World Expo which is being held in Osaka. Connections between Frankston and Susono continue to grow as our short-term student exchange programs have recommenced following COVID. Members of FSFA and SOFA also meet quarterly via ZOOM to discuss upcoming plans for the future. At the most recent ZOOM meeting, our friends in Susono were delighted to hear of Peter Patterson’s special award and were suitably impressed to hear that the Consul-General of Japan had attended our FSFA meeting.

FSFA Committee Members with Consul-General and Mrs. Shimada

The evening concluded with the presentation to Consul-General Shimada and Mrs. Shimada of a Certificate of Honorary Membership to the Frankston Susono Friendship Association by current Chairperson Julie D’Arcy. Julie also acknowledged and thanked past and present committee members for all their hard work and dedication to FSFA and the sister city relationship, and congratulated Peter Patterson for all his achievements.

Peter Patterson with his Commendation Certificate and Consul-General Shimada

To read further on Peter Patterson's commendation by Japanese Consul-General Shimada, and his further accomplishments, please click this link.

2024 FSFA Japanese Speech Contest

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association held its annual Japanese Speech Contest at Monash Peninsula Campus on Friday 6^th September. The Association is a group of volunteer citizens who administer Frankston’s sister city relationship with Susono, Shizuoka in Japan on behalf of the Frankston City Council. FSFA have worked to promote Japanese culture, the study of Japanese language plus student and cultural exchanges since the sister city relationship was established in February 1982.

The Association invited students from local primary and secondary schools to this year’s contest and 54 entries were received. Contestants were required to recite a short self-introduction followed by a set piece based on the folktale story of Omusubi Kororin (The Rolling Riceball) and were judged by a panel of Japanese speakers. Contestants competed in Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Japanese Environment (Primary), Junior Secondary, Intermediate Secondary, Japanese Environment (Secondary) and Senior Secondary divisions.

Perpetual trophies and individual trophies for the 7 divisions

FSFA Chairperson Julie D’Arcy welcomed all contestants, their parents and teachers before explaining the work undertaken by the Association and the importance of the annual contest in promoting the teaching of Japanese language in our local schools.

The evening’s program started with the 3 primary divisions and 25 excited and nervous contestants presenting before the judging panel. Individual trophies were awarded to the top three students in each division, with the top contestant in each division also awarded a perpetual trophy which is displayed at their school for the next 12 months.

Results:

Lower Primary (Prep to Year 3):

1^st           Acacia C (Dromana Primary School)

2^nd          Charlie J (Derinya Primary School)

3^rd           Annie B (Overport Primary School)

 

Upper Primary (Years 4 to 6):

1^st           Ojas P (Overport Primary School)

2^nd          Luciana D (Dromana Primary School)

3^rd           Matilda H (Dromana Primary School)

 

Japanese Environment (Primary):

1^st           Hannah F (Overport Primary School)

2^nd          Taidgh F (Overport Primary School)

3^rd           Kai D (Overport Primary School)

Primary Division Winners Ojas, Acacia and Hannah with Therese and Julie

The secondary schools followed with students presenting a more detailed self-introduction and set piece or Japanese themed topic in each of the 4 divisions. At the conclusion of these speeches Committee member and winner of last year’s Senior Division Jorden Lancaster commented on the impressive standard of all contestants and recognized the enormous challenge of memorizing and presenting a speech in the Japanese language, especially given that the senior division students are required to write, memorize and present a 3-to-5-minute speech on a topic of their choice.

Results:

Junior (Years 7 & 8):

1^st           Lucas P (Nazareth College)

2^nd          Annabelle E (Nazareth College)

3^rd           Santhana R (Hillcrest Christian College)

 

Intermediate (Years 9 & 10):

1^st           Lakeesha H (Hillcrest Christian College)

2^nd          Sohan N (Nossal High School)

3^rd           Charlie R (Nossal High School)

 

Japanese Environment (Secondary):

1^st           Riku K (Frankston High School)

2^nd          Kohane T (Frankston High School)

3^rd           Sara A (Hillcrest Christian College)

 

Senior (Years 11 & 12):

1^st           Ayaan K (Nossal High School)

2^nd          Katokakala L (Frankston High School)

3^rd           Flynn R (Frankston High School)

 

Secondary Division Winners Riku, Ayaan, Lucas and Lakeesha

A special thank you to our panel of judges for assisting at this year’s contest; the teachers for their hours of hard work preparing their students; and the parents and families for their attendance, encouragement and support. Finally, our appreciation to Monash Peninsula Campus for making such a wonderful venue available to our Association and the hard-working members of the FSFA Committee for organising and running another successful Japanese Speech Contest.

Gifts for our wonderful judges presented by the Senior Division Winners