Tag ‘Dadan’
“Successful ‘DADAN’ Performances in Hong Kong” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro
Kodo gave performances of “DADAN” at Sha Tin Town Hall in Hong Kong on the 30th and 31st of October.
We were very happy with the response to both our sold-out performances, which were a great success.
We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the audiences, the presenter, our agent, and all the local staff.
We will definitely come back to Hong Kong again!
Kodo “DADAN 2015″ Hong Kong Performances
Oct. 30 (Fri) & 31 (Sat), 2015 Sha Tin Town Hall, Hong Kong SAR, China
“Huge Surprise Kodo Reunion at the Port!” by Narumi Matsuda
I found myself heading back to Sado Island on the same ferry as the “Kaguyahime” members on their way back from Canada, the “DADAN” members returning from Hong Kong, Chieko who was in Australia, and Eiichi who had been in Tokyo leading workshops!
I was on my way home from a business trip to Nagano when I ran into everyone at the port, so I had traveled the least distance of everyone. I hadn’t seen some of the members in two months, so we talked about our travels as we boarded the ferry. Now that all the fall tours have come to an end, we’ll all be back on Sado Island together for a while.
“Kodo in November” by Tomohiro Mitome
Nov. 1. 2015
From Fall into Winter: Kodo in November
Hello everyone. I hope that you are all well. This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
November has just begun, yet it’s already remarkably cold here on Sado Island.
On October 18, we gave our final performance of “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity,” which premiered in November 2014 and toured throughout the past year. This was the third production directed by Tamasaburo Bando since he became our artistic director in 2012. “Eternity” has such a profound title and theme and was created entirely from brand new compositions. For Kodo, this work was full of new challenges in musical and stage expression, which led us to new depths and heights on stage.
Photo: Courtesy of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal
Meanwhile, in Canada another cast of Kodo members took part in the contemporary ballet production “Kaguyahime” in October. Every performance received such a wonderful, excited response from its audience. Kodo throughly enjoyed taking part in this collaboration again and week by week, our performers deepened their connection with the dancers, Gagaku musicians, and percussionists. We are truly grateful for this experience.
Our Kaguyahime cast members also found time between the ballet performances to present Kodo’s first ever School Workshop Performances abroad. It was a very good experience for both sides: many children in Montreal had the chance to experience the sound and vibrations of taiko for the first time and our members got to try speaking French for the first time to deliver their self introductions to the audience.
Speaking of performances abroad, we also held “DADAN 2015” performances at the end of October in Hong Kong, and in November a small Kodo ensemble will head to Bali, Indonesia, for collaborations with EC 2015 guest artist Suar Agung. It’s the first time in 29 years for Kodo to visit both Hong Kong and Bali, so in both cases it’s the first time for all the cast members to visit these places with Kodo. I’m sure the performers will be inspired by these new places & experiences. We look forward to sharing stories and news from our travels with you through this blog, so please stay tuned for updates.
Kodo at “Shion Kansha Nihon Taiko Festival 2014”
Also, this November I’ll return to Ise in Mie Prefecture with Kodo for a taiko festival at the Ise Grand Shrine called “13th Shinon Kansha Nihon Taiko Matsuri.” Kodo performed at this event last year, too. This exciting two-day event draws amazing performance groups from all over Japan and such an enthusiastic crowd.
From the 2014 Kodo Apprentice Centre Harvest Festival 2014
Futhermore, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Kodo Apprentice Centre’s relocation to its current premises: the former Iwakubi Junior High School premises in Kakinoura on Sado Island. Every year in early November the apprentices plan and hold their own “Harvest Festival” and this year they are having a “Great Harvest Festival,” which will be a huge celebration. Kodo Apprentice Centre alumni and Kodo members will come along to perform and enjoy a freshly harvested feast together. This festival is our way of saying thanks to the locals in the Kakinoura and Iwakubi area for their constant kindness. Since all Kodo members and many Kodo staff members pass through the Apprentice Centre, the festival is always a great reunion for Kodo and the locals near the Centre. I am truly looking forward to the Great Harvest Festival that celebrates this milestone year.
Last but not least, on Nov. 23 “Kodo One Earth Tour: Chaos,” the latest production directed by our artistic director Tamasaburo Bando, will premiere on Sado Island.
Sounds of the West, the East, and Japan will create a world of chaos and harmony as they entwine and disperse. This new work is based upon bolder, more liberated ideas than ever before for a Kodo performance.
With the unveiling of this new production and the start of a new tour, November marks another exciting beginning for the Kodo.
“Meet-the-Press Session for Hong Kong ‘DADAN 2015′” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro
Oct. 29, 2015
Meet-the-Press Session for Hong Kong “DADAN 2015”
Our second day in Hong Kong began with preparations at the venue, and then we took part in a “Meet-the-Press” session this afternoon.
Our performance tomorrow will be Kodo’s first one in Hong Kong since 1986. That’s 29 years ago!
The performers will all do their best on stage in the hopes that each audience member will feel the powerful energy of “DADAN” resonate throughout their entire body.
Kodo “DADAN 2015” Hong Kong Performances
Oct. 30 (Fri) & 31 (Sat), 2015 Sha Tin Town Hall, Hong Kong SAR, China
“Beating the Drums, Playing the Drums” by Koki Miura
June 21, 2015
We have just finished our “DADAN 2015” concert series in Tokyo and now we are straight back into our “Eternity” tour around Japan.
“DADAN” is an explosive, pulsating, non-stop hard-hitting performance. “Eternity” is performed with control and fine attention to detail. These two performances are so different, and by performing both of them back to back, we can feel just how far our range of expression is broadening with time.
Tamasaburo Bando, our artistic director, said he wanted this production to express the workings of nature. Personally, I think that nature is inherently perfect and beautiful and, as a consequence, the “Eternity” performance is an extraordinarily beautiful production.
I want our audiences to enjoy just being in the same space as our performance. I want it to make them feel good. Please come along and experience the natural realm we create in “Eternity.”
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Eternity” Japan Tour (June–July, Sep.–Oct.)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150606oet_en.html
[June–July] Kanagawa, Saitama, Gunma, Chiba, Osaka, Nagano, Kyoto, Ehime, Hiroshima
[Sep. Oct.] Chiba, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Yamagata, Iwate, Akita, Shizuoka, Aichi, Hyogo, Tottori, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, Kagoshima
“‘DADAN 2015’ in Asakusa!” by Naomi Iseki
“DADAN 2015” in Asakusa
On June 10, the “DADAN 2015” performances began in Asakusa, Tokyo. The opening performance was sold out, and we could hear the applause echo out into the lobby! The following performances also welcomed full houses. Thank you all for coming along!
Kodo flags flying all along the Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa
Colorful Kodo banners in front of Asakusa Public Hall
At the theater, we had a Kodo Exhibition Corner, which included performer portraits with their handprints and messages. There were some taiko on display, too!
We hope you enjoyed these performances.
Thank you very much for welcoming us back, Asakusa!
Full House for the Finale of “DADAN 2015”!
June 16, 2015
Full House for the Finale of “DADAN 2015”!
Yesterday we were delighted to welcome a full house for the finale of our six consecutive performances of “DADAN 2015” at Asakusa Public Hall in Tokyo. Thank you very much to everyone who visited Asakusa to see us!
Tomorrow we resume our nationwide tour of “Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Eternity” in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
The final curtain call for “DADAN 2015” in Asakusa, Tokyo
We hope you’ll join us for “Eternity,” too!
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Eternity” Japan Tour (June–July, Sep.–Oct.)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150606oet_en.html
[June–July] Kanagawa, Saitama, Gunma, Chiba, Osaka, Nagano, Kyoto, Ehime, Hiroshima
[Sep. Oct.] Chiba, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Yamagata, Iwate, Akita, Shizuoka, Aichi, Hyogo, Tottori, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, Kagoshima
“DADAN 2015” Begins June 10 in Asakusa, Tokyo!
Kodo’s “DADAN 2015” performances in Asakusa begin on June 10! Join the all-male cast of thirteen powerhouse Kodo performers for a pulsating ninety minutes of non-stop action. We’re waiting for you all at Asakusa Public Hall!
“DADAN 2015” Rehearsals (At Kodo Village in April)
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Performers: Yuichiro Funabashi, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Yosuke Oda, Masayuki Sakamoto, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Jun Jidai, Koki Miura, Shunichiro Kamiya, Ryoma Tsurumi, Kengo Watanabe, Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga, Hayato Otsuka, Reo Kitabayashi
*Cast subject to change
Ticket Sales Update:
June 10 (Wed): SOLD OUT. Door sales will not be available.
June 13 (Sat), 14 (Sun): Advance ticket sales have concluded, doors sales TBC.
Door Sales Info: Door sales will not be available on June 10 (Wed). For all other performances, door sales are TBC. If available, tickets will be on sale at the venue from 30 mins. before doors open (1 hour before the performance starts).
“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.
“Beyond Asakusa’s Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate)” by Naomi Iseki
Beyond Asakusa’s Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate)
From June 1, when you pass through Asakusa’s iconic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), a dream-like view for Kodo in the lead up to our “DADAN 2015” performances awaits…
Kodo flags all along the Nakamise Shopping Street!
The street will keep them on display for us until June 15 when our performances conclude. When you come to Asakusa to see “DADAN,” make sure you take a stroll along and have a look.
The shops along Nakamise Shopping Street boast a wide range of tasty treats and beautiful Japanese souvenirs. It takes a while to make your way all the way down to Sensoji Temple if you stop and look at all the wonderful stores, so allow plenty of time!
See you soon in Asakusa!
Details about “DADAN 2015” (June 11–15): http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150610dadan_en.html