We hope you and your loved ones have been well and safe in these uncertain times.
During this challenging time we have just received news from Kodo that makes all taiko people in the world extremely upset. Kodo is now fighting for survival due to huge impacts from Covid-19 and they are asking people for emergency financial support to keep Kodo alive. Linked below is the official Kodo page that outlines their plea.
Kodo and their principal performers have visited Australia many times but, as you all know, Kodo is so much more than their spectacular concerts. Kodo is the backbone of what Taiko is around the world today and they tirelessly support and nurture Taiko enthusiasts through performance, teachings and boundless enthusiasm. We will need Kodo more than ever when the world starts to find its new normal.
Thanks for your support of Taikokoro, we are almost a year old and what a big year it has been. As you know Taikokoro was formed to exchange and develop connections between Japanese musicians, artists and local practitioners, Kodo has been very supportive of our activities as I know they have been with many other taiko groups in Australia.
After much consideration within the Taikokoro committee, Taikokoro has decided to use the resources of our non-profit organisation to coordinate support for Kodo from Australia. The idea is to create a central collection point for all financial contributions from Taiko people in Australia and to pass them on to Kodo in one international transaction. The aim is to save money from excess FX transaction fees charged to individuals and to send as much to Kodo as possible. Our collective contributor name will be “Australian Kodo Supporters” to show that the collective support for Kodo in Australia is beyond individual taiko groups.
We have set up a GroupTogether collection page for donations and messages of support. Their need for assistance is urgent so we would like to do it in a short time and send it to Kodo as soon as we close the donation period. Even small donations are much appreciated. Let’s put our love together to support Kodo.
Note: As Kodo is not an Australian organisation, donations are not tax deductible.
GroupTogether’s payment confirmation is not a Tax Invoice.
GroupTogether charges 1.5% on every transaction.
A list of contributors will be sent to Kodo.
Taikokoro will not receive any revenue from the donation collection nor seek compensation for any expenses incurred.
Donation collection will expire Sunday 26 April to send to Kodo.
Alternatively donations can be made directly to the Taikokoro bank account. Please contact me directly for details.
Kodo has given us boundless joy of taiko through their concerts and events, such as their famous annual Earth Celebration on Sado Island, and workshops. Also our dear taiko friend, Ami Akimoto (Wadaiko Rindo, Ichimadin and Australia Miyake Kai,) has been working at Kodo as a staff member since 2019.
Without a doubt these are tough times too for our Australian taiko community, those of us who make money from gigs and classes have no income and many students and supporters are doing it hard. We understand. Even small donations are much appreciated. Let’s put our love together now to support Kodo.
If you have any questions, please email me anytime: AyakoTsunazawa@taikokoro.org
Thank you very much for your warm support.
Official Kodo request for support:
https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/call-for-support