NATC 2025: Advanced Katsugi Okedo with SJT
Thank you for all your energy and focus during our Advanced Katsugi Okedo workshop at NATC in Phoenix! Below are some videos from a 2015 Private lesson recorded for Willamette Taiko so she could share concepts with her group. Short clips (1-6 minutes) on left hand technique. Our style is based on a few decades of experience (inspiration, experimentation, failure). Please remember there are so many ways to approach this instrument. Please feel free to use for you or your group. Please do not post or share publicly. Thank you!
Left hand grip/alignment + general fit
2:16 Begin left hand grip/alignment breakdown
4:13 Wrist/arm alignment
5:05 This is what I’d like you to focus on
Left hand grip: tension / relaxation between thumb and index finger
Left hand grip: index finger - what is it good for?
Left hand grip: subtle, relaxed wrist snap + pinky-ring-middle finger options
Tere-tsuku drill: stationary stance, then with movement. Emphasis on relaxation in shoulders, arms, grip.
RH grip notes: due to the nature of the pattern and where I liked my strap length at the time right hand grip lands between doorknob and shime. Focus is on lightness of grip where you could feel airflow between fingers.
LH grip notes: focus is on lightness as well with most of the work begin done by index, thumb, pink. Exaggerated middle and ring fingers out to demonstrate they’re not being utilized as much.
GaZuut: during second half of clip (after 46 seconds) notice more use of subtle collapse of weight corresponding with occasional accents. Accepting and demonstrating the weightedness of things while playing conveys a sense of connection to the earth and the relationship with the instrument.
Gathering “hoe down” drill video coming soon!