Japanese drumming, or taiko, is something of an institution. But even institutions aren’t immune from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taiko group Kodo was set to stage a nationwide tour from May through September, but the spread of the new coronavirus put an end to that, and has cast doubt on the group’s future performances in the runup to its 40th anniversary celebrations next year.

Kodo has been hit so hard that on April 13 it put out an appeal on its official website asking supporters to make donations and to buy instruments and merchandise from the group to help keep it afloat.