Enriching Taiko enthusiasts with Japanese culture and music.
We are Stockholm Taiko
About
We are not just a drumming group. We are a circle of rhythms, stories, and souls.
Founded in 2024, Stockholm Taiko blends the deep spirit of Japanese Taiko with the inclusive and grounded rhythm of Swedish life.
Here, Taiko is about listening to the body, connecting with others, and awakening joy through movement and sound.
We believe in the power of rhythm to inspire people, energize communities, and create a sense of unity—across cultures, generations, and ways of life.
Mission
We reconnect body, mind, spirit, and society through the living rhythm of Taiko.
Taiko is more than performance or music—it's a ritual of return.
A return to self, to others, to the ancient pulse that unites all life.
Vision
A world where rhythm is not just heard, but shared—reconnecting people across generations, cultures, and borders.
We envision communities where Taiko awakens joy, presence, and belonging, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
Purpose
To offer Taiko as a way of returning—to ourselves, to each other, and to the living world around us.
We drum to awaken what is ancient and still alive within us, to create light wherever we are, and to remember that we are not alone.
Our Values
1 / Resonance over Perfection
We value shared energy more than technical precision. Taiko is about feeling together, not performing alone.
2 / Inclusion over Competition
Everyone—regardless of age, background, or ability—has a place in the rhythm. We grow through support, not pressure.
3 / Presence over Performance
What matters is not how it looks, but how deeply it resonates. We drum with honesty, presence, and a rhythm that speaks beyond words.
4 / Rooted in Tradition, Alive in Community
We honor the Japanese spirit of Taiko while listening to the rhythms of the land we live in. Culture is not fixed—it grows through relationship.
5 / Deep Joy through Rhythmic Living
We believe in practices that nourish joy, well-being, and inner fire—whether quiet or explosive, soft or strong, every rhythm has its place.
Founder & Board Chair
Maki Kobayashi is a Japanese taiko artist based in Stockholm and the founder of The Zenjo – The Art of Being Alive, a platform exploring rhythm, meditation, and Japanese cultural practices.
She leads the Nordic Hayashi Project, an initiative connecting Nordic musicians with Japanese festival traditions, and organizes the Matsuri Retreat in Japan, where participants experience taiko, community, and Japanese cultural life.
Originally from Japan and now rooted in Sweden, Maki is dedicated to building bridges between cultures and sharing the living spirit of Japanese festival music with international communities.
Our Team.
Our team is made up of passionate individuals who have recently started their Taiko journey but are already embracing the power and joy of drumming. With enthusiasm, dedication, and a love for sharing the rhythm, we are growing together and excited to bring the energy of Taiko to every performance. Whether you're attending a show or joining one of our workshops, our team’s spirit and joy will leave you inspired and uplifted!
Board Secretary
Yuki Hamana
Board Treasurer
Théo Guedes
Assistant Instructor
Ami Keiko Janson
Ensemble member
Anna Robins
Ensemble member
Anzhelika Nikiforova
Ensemble member
Dirk Hubrecht
Ensemble member
Ensemble member
Simone Slaviero
Ensemble member
Andrew Gomes
Foundation member
Almudena Arques
Foundation member
Marion Ehmann
Foundation member
Morgan Askins
Foundation member
Nadia Bolis
Foundation member
Sonja Lindblad
Foundation member
Norton Craas
Guest performer
Alma Datena
Support member
Hanako Arambula
Support member
Jonas Labeeb
Support member
Sanna Fujiko Berg
Support member
Juliana Wolf Garcindo
Support member
Guest Artists & Instructors
Learning from Japanese Masters
Stockholm Taiko collaborates with Japanese taiko instructors and musicians who share their knowledge, experience, and cultural background with our community in Stockholm.
Japanese Taiko Master & Cultural Tradition Bearer
Ryo Shiobara 塩原良
Ryo is a Japanese taiko master based in Nagano, Japan.
A Grand Prize winner of the Tokyo International Taiko Contest (Odaiko division), he has dedicated decades to performing, teaching, and preserving traditional taiko culture.
He serves as an advisor to Stockholm Taiko and has played a key role in developing taiko activities in Sweden.
Japanese Taiko Master & Cultural Tradition Bearer
Kumiko Suzuki 鈴木久美子
Kumiko Suzuki is a Japanese taiko instructor based in London.
She has supported the Stockholm taiko community for many years, teaching traditional repertoire such as Hatsuuma Daiko since the early days of Sweden Taiko.
Japanese bamboo flute / shinobue
Yasukazu Kano
Yasukazu Kano is a globally recognized shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute) artist and former member of the world-renowned taiko ensemble Kodo.
Through performances and collaborations around the world, he brings the expressive sound of the shinobue to international audiences.
