Rieko Kotoku was born and raised in Tottori, Japan. She joined Sacramento Taiko Dan in 2006, where she has been a performer for the last 10 years under the mentorship of Tiffany Tamaribuchi.
In 2013, Rieko met Akira Katogi, General Corporation Wariki, a master of traditional Japanese performing arts including Shinto Kagura dance and Taiko. She was touched by his message, which had a profound and transcending effect on her soul. This led Rieko to embark on a spiritual journey in search of the philosophical importance of Japanese culture and the purpose of her performing arts. As a student of Mr. Katogi, she has studied Shinto Kagura dance, Buddhist dance and Taiko, and is now an independent performer.