Tag ‘Amaterasu’
Photo Gallery | Amaterasu
Photo Gallery
Amaterasu
May 2015 Osaka Shochiku-za Theatre, Osaka City
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Amaterasu (2015)
Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Cast: Tamasaburo Bando, Kodo (Masaru Tsuji, Yuichiro Funabashi, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Yosuke Oda, Masayuki Sakamoto, Kenta Nakagome, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Eri Uchida, Mariko Omi, Yosuke Kusa, Maya Minowa, Shogo Komatsuzaki, Akiko Ando, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Kosuke Urushikubo, Jun Jidai, Koki Miura,Shunichiro Kamiya, Ryoma Tsurumi, Kengo Watanabe), former members of OSK Nippon Revue (Konoka Morino, Kokoro Kaai, Yui Suzumine, Kurara Miou)
*The role of Susano’o was performed by Yosuke Oda & Mitsuru Ishizuka as a double cast.
Special Appearance: Harei Aine (Former Takarazuka Revue male role star)
“Kodo in June” by Tomohiro Mitome
June 1, 2015
Hello, everyone! I hope that you are well.
This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
June has begun. The sun’s rays are getting stronger and the forests on Sado are such a vivid green. I feel the power of Mother Nature through this intensity.
Until a few years ago, I spent spring traveling around Japan with the “Kodo One Earth Tour” performances, from the beginning of May until the end of June. When I would come back to Sado in June, I was always taken aback by the changes in nature between my departure and my return. As we passed through the dense gauntlet of trees to reach Kodo Village, I’d feel at home before we had even arrived.
Photo: Takashi Okamoto, Courtesy of Shochiku-za Theatre
Thanks to all of your support, May concluded on a high note after our successful “Amaterasu” performances at Shochiku-za Theatre in Osaka. Thank you very much to all of you who attended the performances. The previous encore performances were held two years ago, so this time even more young, new members joined the cast. I think “Amaterasu” provided them with such valuable experiences: they rose to the challenge of tackling new parts and instruments, and they were able to perform on stage with Kabuki luminary Tamasaburo Bando.
Around the same time, we held the fourth annual “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island” near Kodo Village in the historic Shukunegi area. The cast was centered around Kodo’s distinguished members and also featured our new junior members, so there was a large age gap between the cast members (more than a generation!). These performances were a great opportunity for our junior members to learn from our senior members.
As usual, from June Kodo has planned a variety of performances in Japan including “Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Eternity” performances and “School Workshop Performances.”
From June 10 to 15, our “DADAN 2015” performances will take place at Asakusa Public Hall in Tokyo. This year is the third year for Kodo to have a series of performances at Asakusa Public Hall in June. Thanks to warm local support, Kodo’s performances in Asakusa have gradually started to take root.
“A Season of New Buds” by Tomohiro Mitome
May 1, 2015
Hello, everyone! I hope that you are well.
This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo. May is here and it is a very comfortable, refreshing season. Flowers are bursting into full bloom and I feel so energized by spring.
As usual, April for Kodo was a time for us to hold rehearsals for the next new “Kodo One Earth Tour” production, which will premiere on Sado this November. We also rehearsed for “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity” and the School Workshop Performances, which resume their tours in Japan in June, as well as the “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island,” and other projects. Much like the cycle of the nature, this is a season at Kodo when new buds emerge and grow.
This May, we will hold encore performances of “Amaterasu” at Shochiku-za Theatre in Osaka. “Amaterasu” premiered in 2006, and we also held popular encore seasons in 2007 and 2013.
This production is a rare opportunity for Kodo to collaborate on stage with our artistic director, Tamasaburo Bando. This year, we welcome back guest artist Harei Aine and look forward to sharing a new version of this performance with our audiences. In this production, we convey the story of a famous Japanese myth using the myriad sounds of Japanese musical instruments, ranging from raging gods, using the powerful roar of the taiko, to one scene where “eight million gods” gather for a party.
The party reaches its climax with a dance by a goddess called Ameno-uzume (performed by Harei Aine), which leads to the appearance of the dazzling sun goddess, Amaterasu, who emerges from the heavenly rock cave. That moment creates such a powerful wave of energy that even as performers on the same stage, we cannot help feeling moved by it as we play our taiko. It is a truly precious moment. I hope you won’t miss the opportunity to see this performance live!
“The Curtain Rises for ‘Amaterasu'” by Akiko Ando
May 2015 “Amaterasu”
On May 3, the curtain rose for this year’s season of “Amaterasu” at Osaka’s Shochiku-za Theatre. I also took part in the 2013 “Amaterasu” performances and it is my favorite programme! So I am so happy to have the chance to perform in it again. The famous scene in the story where the sun goddess Amaterasu emerges from the cave is so moving each time, even for us right there on the stage. But I must admit that I was so moved by this scene on Sunday, May 3rd, for the first time in two years that I found myself fighting back my tears.
One month may sound long but it’s actually quite short. I’m making the most of every day and I will do my very best right until the curtain falls on the final performance. I am looking forward to seeing you all in the audience!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Courtesy of Shochiku-za Theatre
May 2015 “Amaterasu” (Osaka City)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150503amaterasu_en.html
“Off to Osaka for ‘Amaterasu’!” by Tetsumi Hanaoka
Apr. 28, 2015
My view from the bus as we were waved off from Kodo Village.
We set off from Kodo Village today to head to Osaka for the “Amaterasu” performances, which begin on May 3 at Osaka Shochiku-za Theatre.
We will be giving performances there for almost a month, so please come along. We’ll be waiting for you!
May 2015 “Amaterasu” (Osaka)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150503amaterasu_en.html
“‘Amaterasu’ 2015: Here We Go!” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
“Amaterasu” will return for encore performances in May this year at Osaka’s Shochiku-za Theatre. We started off our practice for 2015 by spending a couple of days rehearsing for this collaboration.
The lead performer and artistic director, Tamasaburo Bando, and Harei Aine, who will play the role of Ameno-uzume, didn’t join us for these rehearsals, so it was just us Kodo members. We went through the music, piece by piece, checking it all carefully together.
We recalled the programme mentally, then remembered it physically by playing it anew. We all performed the music with care and attention to detail, so that each one of us can take our own performance to a higher level than last season.
We have been given another opportunity to tackle this programme so soon after the last “Amaterasu” performances in 2013. We will focus on our musical instruments, our bodies, and our technique, so that we can create a deeper quality of sound that is even more feel-good to our audiences.
I hope you are looking forward to the upcoming performances in May!
Amaterasu (Photos by Takashi Okamoto, courtesy of TBS）
Amaterasu 2015
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150503amaterasu_en.html
“Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo ‘Amaterasu'” on WOWOW Live Channel
Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo “Amaterasu”
Dec. 27 Repeat Broadcast on WOWOW Live Channel
The “Amaterasu” performance at Minami-za in October 2013 will be shown again on WOWOW Live Channel in Japan. If you are in Japan, we hope you will tune in!
See here for details: http://www.wowow.co.jp/pg_info/detail/104464/index.php?m=01 (In Japanese)
“Amaterasu” will return for encore performances in 2015 at Osaka’s Shochiku-za Theatre!
For further information, please visit our website: http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150503amaterasu_en.html
WOWOW Live Channel
Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo “Amaterasu”
Dec. 27 (Sat) 15:00–
Programme Introduction
Living national treasure Tamasaburo Bando directed and performed with Kodo in this elaborate production based on Japanese mythology. This performance took place seven years after the debut “Amaterasu” performances in 2006. It was filmed for television live at Minami-za Kabuki Theater in Kyoto City, which is famous for its architectural style.
Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Appearing: Tamasaburo Bando, Kodo
Special Appearance: Harei Aine
http://www.wowow.co.jp/pg_info/detail/104464/index.php?m=01
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Our Action-Packed 2015 Lineup!
In 2015, our schedule is action-packed with an array of performances in Japan: “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity,” Kodo Special Concert “Michi,” “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island,” encore performances of “Amaterasu,” “DADAN 2015” performances in Tokyo, and of course, “Earth Celebration on Sado Island.” Also, “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” will tour in North America in early 2015. We hope to see you all somewhere soon!
Mar. 2015
Kodo 2015 Special Concert “Michi”
Ever since our ensemble’s first encounter with Tamasaburo Bando over a decade ago, Kodo has set its sights on new heights of expression. In this performance, we will present our quest for many years, a special “world of taiko,” through an array of Kodo’s signature pieces from the nineties.
Mar. 19 (Thu)–20 (Fri), 2015 KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre Main Hall, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Director: Motofumi Yamaguchi
Appearing: Kodo (Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Tomohiro Mitome, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Kenta Nakagome, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Rai Tateishi, others)
Programme (TBC): Zoku, Jang-Gwara, Chonlima, Michi, Shamisen, Monochrome, Miyake, Sankan Shion, Yamauta, O-daiko, Yatai-bayashi
Apr.–May 2015
Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2015: Spring
The Special Performances, centered around Kodo’s Distinguished Members, take place at Shukunegi Community Hall, a retro playhouse in the heart of the traditional village of Shukunegi. This picturesque settlement is classified as one of Japan’s “Important Traditional Building Preservation Areas.”
Apr. 25 (Sat), 26 (Sun), May 2 (Sat)–5 (Tue/Public Hol.), 2015 Shukunegi Community Hall, Ogi Peninsula, Sado Island, Niigata
Appearing: Kodo (Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Motofumi Yamaguchi, Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, & others)
May 2015
Amaterasu
“Amaterasu” will return for encore performances in 2015 at Osaka’s Shochiku-za Theatre!
May 3 (Sun)–26 (Tue), 2015 *No performances on May 7 & 14 Osaka Shochiku-za Theatre, Osaka City
Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Appearing: Tamasaburo Bando, Kodo
Special Appearance: Harei Aine
June 2015
Kodo “DADAN 2015”
“DADAN,” meaning “drumming men,” was designed by Tamasaburo Bando as a simultaneously raw and refined performance that features solely young male Kodo performers in a bold exploration of percussion instruments. We hope you will join us for the ever-evolving DADAN performances in June 2015, exclusively at Asakusa Public Hall in Tokyo.
June 10 (Wed)–15 (Mon), 2015 Asakusa Public Hall, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Appearing: Kodo
※Pre-orders available at the Dec. 19–23 performances of “Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Eternity” at Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo.
Aug. 2015
Earth Celebration 2015
The Shiroyama Concerts, outdoor festival Earth Celebration’s main concert events, take place up on the hill in Shiroyama Park’s lush green surroundings. A star-filled sky and the chirp of cicadas complete this natural outdoor arena. What better place to celebrate the earth?
Aug. 21 (Fri) -23 (Sun), 2015 Ogi, Sado Is., Niigata
Further details will be announced in May 2015.
“Member Notice: Yosuke Oda’s Recent Nuptials”
Yosuke Oda married Harei Aine on August 28, 2014.
We sincerely hope that you will all join us in congratulating the happy couple.
Harei Aine starred in the Takarazuka Revue as a male role performer until 2012 and has been a freelance artist ever since. In 2013, she collaborated with Kodo as a special guest artist in “Amaterasu,” portraying Ameno-uzume. We are delighted that she now has an even greater connection to Kodo and Sado Island and we wish Harei Aine and Yosuke Oda a very happy future together.
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Harei Aine Official Website (in Japanese)
http://aineharei.com/
Announcing TV Program Appearances
TBS “Japan Record Awards,” NHK “Kohaku Uta Gassen”
This year Kodo took part in the recording of Fuyumi Sakamoto’s latest enka (traditional-style Japanese popular ballad) song, “Otoko no Himatsuri” (Men’s Fire Festival), which went on sale on October 2. We are pleased to announce that Fuyumi Sakamoto has been awarded a Japan Record Award for best song and has been invited to perform “Otoko no Himatsuri” on the New Year’s Eve program “Kohoku Uta Gassen.” Kodo is honored to join Ms. Sakamoto on stage for these televised performances. This is the first time since the recording that we have had the opportunity to perform together. If you are in Japan, we hope you will tune in!
Fuyumi Sakamoto
55th Japan Record Awards
TBS (Nationwide broadcast)
Dec. 30 (Mon), 2013 17:00 – 22:00
(Time may differ in certain regions.)
*Kodo appearance time TBA.
64th Kohaku Uta Gassen
NHK General TV & Radio 1
Dec. 31 (Tue), 2013 19:00 – 23:45
*Kodo appearance time TBA.
WOWOW “New Year Special: Bando Tamasaburo no Bi”
On New Year’s Day in 2014, a special program featuring some of the recent works of Tamasaburo Bando will be aired in Japan. The program has three parts, two of which feature Kodo: Part 2 shows the “Tamasaburo Bando Special Performances” at Kanamaru-za in November 2012 and Part 3 shows the “Amaterasu” performance at Minami-za in October 2013.
WOWOW Live
January 1 (Wed), 2014 from 13:00
Part 1: 13:00 – Tamasaburo Bando’s Universe PART 1
“Kyogano Komusume Dojoji,” “Yokihi”
Part 2: 14:40 – Tamasaburo Bando’s Universe PART 2
Kanamaru-za “Yuki,” “Kanegamisaki,” “Ibuki”
Part 3: 16:30 – Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo “Amaterasu”
Bando Tamasaburo Special Performances
Amaterasu