Taikomochi (Houkan)
たいこもち（ほうかん）
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Service Occupations
- Middle : Customer Service and Food Service Occupations
- Minor : Hospitality Entertainment Workers and Geisha
Summary
Hospitality and entertainment job that entertains guests at banquets using taiko drum performances and rhetoric.
Description
Taikomochi perform taiko drumming, rhetoric, jokes, and small talk at banquets and celebratory gatherings to relieve guests' tension and liven up the atmosphere. This is a traditional hospitality performing art continuing from the Edo period, reading the venue's atmosphere and improvising performances and conversations. They support the progression of the banquet and sometimes get involved in planning and directing events. Mainly active in ryotei, banquet halls, and event venues, with typical arrangements being individual contracts or dispatch through entertainment production companies.
Future Outlook
While there are risks from an aging population and declining demand, a certain level of need is anticipated due to demand from tourism and cultural events, as well as efforts to preserve traditional culture.
Personality Traits
Able to make situation-appropriate judgments / Bright personality / Enjoys entertaining people
Work Style
Event dispatch / Fixed-term contracts / Freelance / Nighttime
Career Path
Apprentice taikomochi → Taikomochi → Venue supervisor → Performing arts producer
Required Skills
Communication skills (conversation) / Improvisational performance / Observation skills / Taiko drumming
Recommended Skills
Communication skills / Etiquette and manners / Hospitality manners / Knowledge of traditional performing arts
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | Need to adjust responses according to the customer demographic and atmosphere. |
| Communication Skills | Essential for livening up the atmosphere with conversation and talk skills. |
| Creativity & Ideation | Need to demonstrate uniqueness with improvisational performances and rhetoric. |
| Stress Tolerance | Need to overcome tension during performances in front of large crowds. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Analytical & Logical Thinking | Logical thinking is not particularly required. |
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Mathematical and quantitative analysis is almost unnecessary. |
Aliases
- Houkan
Related Jobs
- Emcee
- Geisha
- Host