Viewing of Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers’ final performance of 30th anniversary tour
2025/5/18
On 18th May, Consul General Takeda watched the final performance of Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers’ 30th anniversary tour in Edinburgh.
Based in the outskirts of Glasgow, the taiko drum group “Mugenkyo” was founded in 1994 by Neil Mackie and Miyuki Williams after they first experienced playing traditional taiko drums in Fukui Prefecture. In 2002, they opened the UK’s first taiko dojo “MUGEN TAIKO DOJO” with the goal of teaching the general public of all ages about the tradition and history of taiko through workshops and educational activities.
To date, they have participated in a broad range of activities to help preserve Japan’s traditional culture, including performing at the World Expo Dubai and the BBC broadcast opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and a collaboration with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
In recognition of their efforts, they were awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation Award in 2024.
This time, the final show of the 30th anniversary tour was held in their home country of Scotland, where they were founded. There were many guests of various different ages and many Scottish people familiar with traditional taiko drums, creating a cultural bridge between Scotland and Japan. We hope that Mugenkyo will continue to be successful and spread the traditional culture of Japanese taiko drums to everyone.
For more information about Mugenkyo, please visit their website.
https://www.taiko.co.uk/
Based in the outskirts of Glasgow, the taiko drum group “Mugenkyo” was founded in 1994 by Neil Mackie and Miyuki Williams after they first experienced playing traditional taiko drums in Fukui Prefecture. In 2002, they opened the UK’s first taiko dojo “MUGEN TAIKO DOJO” with the goal of teaching the general public of all ages about the tradition and history of taiko through workshops and educational activities.
To date, they have participated in a broad range of activities to help preserve Japan’s traditional culture, including performing at the World Expo Dubai and the BBC broadcast opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and a collaboration with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
In recognition of their efforts, they were awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation Award in 2024.
This time, the final show of the 30th anniversary tour was held in their home country of Scotland, where they were founded. There were many guests of various different ages and many Scottish people familiar with traditional taiko drums, creating a cultural bridge between Scotland and Japan. We hope that Mugenkyo will continue to be successful and spread the traditional culture of Japanese taiko drums to everyone.
For more information about Mugenkyo, please visit their website.
https://www.taiko.co.uk/