ABOUT US
Tsuchigumo Daiko is an arts organisation based in central Scotland committed to the study and promotion of Wadaiko (the way of Japanese Drumming) across the country and beyond, through regular classes, workshops, outreach programmes, and performance. Founded in February 2016 by Martin Doyle and Shonagh Walker, Tsuchigumo’s group ethos is based on fostering community, promoting inclusivity, empowering personal growth, and sharing the myriad benefits of Taiko drumming.
The group continually pushes the boundaries of the art form, seamlessly blending diverse musical and artistic influences with a deep respect for Taiko traditions and history, and has become known for its signature sound, unique compositions, and electrifying performance style.
Martin Doyle has been drumming for over 30 years, beginning as a kit drummer in various metal bands around Glasgow before transitioning to Taiko 14 years ago. His journey into Taiko began in 2010 while pursuing a BA (Hons) in Popular Music Performance at Perth UHI. After graduating with a Distinction and First Class Honours, Martin joined Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers as a full-time member, touring and performing professionally with the group for five years. In February 2016, he co-founded Tsuchigumo Daiko with his wife, Shonagh, and serves as the group’s lead instructor, composer, and artistic director. Martin is widely regarded in the Taiko Community for his detailed, technical, and inclusive approach to teaching, and for his unique compositional style.
Martin plays a pivotal role in helping organise numerous events within the local and wider Taiko community. He was a staff member for all five iterations of Taikopalooza in Ulm, Germany, and is currently on staff of the Utah Taiko Experience in the United States. He is also a co-founder and co-organiser of the Scottish Taiko Festival. As an instructor, Martin has shared his expertise at a host of prominent events such as the UK Taiko Festival, Taikopalooza, Utah Taiko Experience, Kion Sai in Hamburg, Humber Taiko Festival, and Midlands Taiko Festival, and has travelled to perform and deliver workshops all over the UK and Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Japan.
Shonagh Walker began playing Taiko in an extra-curricular school group at Cleveden Secondary in Glasgow. After leaving school, she joined the Mugen Taiko Dojo and was a member there for over eleven years, during which time she became a lead player, instructor, and workshop leader for Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers. Shonagh co-founded Tsuchigumo Daiko in 2016, and is a highly regarded performer and instructor known for her passionate and vibrant onstage persona. She now balances her love of Taiko with her professional life as a scientist.
Shonagh’s eye for detail, natural flair and outgoing personality make her an ideal fit for community-focussed activities within the local and wider Taiko community. She was a staff member for all five iterations of Taikopalooza in Ulm, Germany, and is currently on staff of the Utah Taiko Experience in the United States. She is also a co-founder and co-organiser of the Scottish Taiko Festival. Shonagh has taught and performed at events all over the world, including the UK Taiko Festival, Taikopalooza, Utah Taiko Experience, Kion Sai in Hamburg, Humber Taiko Festival, and Midlands Taiko Festival.
Martin and Shonagh are committed to deepening their knowledge and understanding of Taiko, continually seeking guidance from world-class instructors to refine and evolve their approach. Their dedication has taken them across the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Japan to teach, study, and perform. They have participated in workshops and intensive training with some of the world’s most renowned Taiko artists. Notably, they were specially selected for the inaugural "Roots of Kodo" intensive on Sado Island, home of the world-famous Kodo drummers, where they spent two transformative weeks training as Kodo apprentices do.
Notable instructors they have studied under include, Masaaki Kurumaya (Hibiki Daiko, Kurumaya Taiko Orchestra); Art Lee (Wadaiko Tokara); Hiroshi Motofuji (Oedo Sukeroku, soloist); Chieko Kojima (Kodo, Hanayui); Katsuji Kondo (ex-Kodo, Soloist); Akio Tsumura & Family (Miyake Doushikai); Kazuaki Tomida (Ondekoza, soloist); Isaku Kageyama (Amanojaku, Unit One, soloist); Tiffany Tamaribuchi (Ondekoza, Sacramento Taiko Dan, Soloist); Mark H Rooney (Mark H. Taiko); Eiichi Saito (Kodo); Eri Uchida (ex-Kodo, Soloist), Shogo Yoshii (ex-Kodo, Soloist); Shoji Kameda (On Ensemble, Soloist); Yuta Kato (Taiko Project, SFTD, Unit One, LATI instructor); Masato Baba (On Ensemble, Taiko Project), Kenny Endo (Taiko Centre of the Pacific), and Franco Imperial (San Jose Taiko).
To us, Taiko is a vast and colourful spectrum of possibilities, with each soloist or group offering their own unique take. This idea is represented in our logo, which features the three colours from which all others can be made. As a group, we seek to create our own "hue" within this spectrum, by embracing a variety of philosophies and methodologies to help us develop and refine our own.
Within the logo's simple design are the concepts which underpin our Taiko philosophy. At opposing ends, there is light and dark; the combination of these elements in our playing brings life to rhythmic patterns and movement. In the centre of each circle sits the Mitsudomoe (a symbol synonymous with Taiko), which represents our connection to the art, the world, and each other. The symbol for infinity appears in the centre, symbolising endless musical and artistic possibilities. Finally, there is the Yin-Yang, which represents the interconnected nature of seemingly opposing forces; a concept which informs certain techniques we utilise.
The circles themselves symbolise the cyclical nature of our Taiko journey, in that we should always return to where we began, shaped by our experiences and with a greater understanding of the world around us and our place within it.