Tag ‘Mitsuru Ishizuka’
Mitsuru Ishizuka: An Interview by Johnny Wales
Mitsuru Ishizuka: An Interview by Johnny Wales
Mitsuru during his interview at Kodo Village (Photo by Johnny Wales)
His father is a founding member of the pioneering Sukeroku Daiko, his older brother and younger sister are professional taikoists and his younger brother is an apprentice taiko maker. Mitsuru made his first appearance on stage at age five, and yet at the beginning of his second year as a Kodo apprentice, he decided to forget everything he had ever learned about taiko…and begin again from zero.
Mitsuru was born into a world of taiko in Tokyo on August 6th, 1979. At the age of 4 his parents moved the family to a mountainside in Saitama believing it would be a better environment in which to raise their children. His father is a professional Nagauta and Kabuki orchestra percussionist, as is Mitsuru’s older brother. Their mother – who was a traditional Japanese Buyo dancer – passed away when Mitsuru was in middle school. His step-mother is also a taikoist, while his younger brother is apprenticing with a taiko maker in Tokyo and his younger sister is a taiko instructor in Yokohama.
His first memories are of the sound of his father’s tsutsumi drum emanating from his room. Mitsuru first played taiko on stage at age 5. In elementary school he joined a local taiko group which his father taught, though it seemed that it was more for his father’s pleasure than his own. This changed in middle school when he also joined a local folk music group where he performed things like Miyake and Yatai-bayashi and Onikenbai. Playing drums unconnected to his family gave him a feeling of independence and so he really began to enjoy it. Right through high school he played taiko nearly every day – not only in the school taiko club – but also after returning home with his brother and friends. Taiko seven days a week. He had broad musical tastes and even found time to play live performances on acoustic guitar at school.
It seemed a natural choice that he would follow his father and brother into a career in taiko, but something bothered him about walking such a pre-ordained path. In his 2nd or 3rd year of high school – like so many other future members – he saw his first Kodo performance at Theatre Apple in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Kodo Appearance on (BS) Dlife “JapaCul”
Apr. 11 Kodo Appearance on (BS) Dlife “JapaCul”!
On Apr. 11 (Sat) from 9:30 am, Mitsuru Ishizuka and Kenta Nakagome will appear and perform on (BS）Dlife program “JapaCul.” If you’re in Japan, please tune in!
A snapshot taken during the taiko performance section of the recording.
(BS) Dlife “JapaCul”
Broadcast Station: D-LIFE (Free Nationwide BS TV Station) http://www.dlife.jp/
Broadcast Date & Time: Apr. 11 (Sat) from 9:30 am
About the Program: “JapaCul” comes from the two words Japa(nese) and Cul(ture). This a Saturday morning TV program that introduces the latest worldwide trends related to Japanese culture, fashion, cuisine, games, and more. http://www.dlife.jp/lineup/variety/japacul/
How to Watch Dlife (Japanese) http://www.dlife.jp/howtowatch/
Mar. 18 Appearance on TV Kanagawa “tvk Arigato”
Appearance on TV Kanagawa “tvk Arigato” (Thanks tvk)
On Mar. 18 (Wed) at around 13:10, Kodo will appear live on TV program “tvk Arigato.” If you live in Kanagawa, we hope you’ll tune in!
TV Kanagawa “tvk Arigato”
Mar. 18 (Wed) *Kodo will appear around 13:10–13:25.
Appearances: Yuichiro Funabashi, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Rai Tateishi
Program Website: http://www3.tvk-yokohama.com/arigato/
This week we have two Kodo 2015 Special Concert “Michi” performances in Yokohama, on Mar. 19 & 20!
These two performances are almost completely sold out. If you want to see “Michi,” don’t delay! Call for your tickets today!
Inquiries: tvk Ticket Counter Tel. 0570-00-3117 (Weekdays 10:00–18:00) http://www.tvkcom.net/
▶Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1N2ME9rH4E
Kodo 2015 Special Concert “Michi”
Mar. 19 (Thu)–20 (Fri), 2015 Yokohama, Kanagawa
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150319michi_en.html
Director: Motofumi Yamaguchi
Performers: Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Yuichiro Funabashi, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Kenta Nakagome, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Rai Tateishi, Maya Minowa, Ryosuke Inada, Reo Kitabayashi, Masaya Koike, Mizuki Yoneyama (Cast subject to change)
Programme: Zoku, Jang-Gwara, Chonlima, Michi, Shamisen, Monochrome, Miyake, Sankan Shion, Yamauta, O-daiko, Yatai-bayashi
“‘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
“Lecture and Workshop in Fukuoka” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Dec. 14 Folk Performing Arts Lecture and Workshop in Fukuoka
I visited Fukuoka last week on tour with “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity.” On Dec. 14, the day before our first performance at Hakataza Theater, I was invited as a guest speaker to give a “Folk Performing Arts Lecture” to high school students from around Fukuoka Prefecture. I gave a talk and led a workshop. To my surprise, about 160 students gathered for the event!
I heard that the teachers from the various high schools would like to start introducing local traditional performing arts to their school taiko clubs. So, at the beginning of the lecture, I talked a little bit about the reasons and intentions behind Kodo’s integration of traditional performing arts from all over Japan into our performances, and how we go about doing that. Then I led a workshop for them.
At the supervising teachers’ request, I did a workshop based on the theme of “Practise Methods that Don’t Require Taiko.” Apparently all of their schools have a lot more taiko club members than taiko drums (…can something be done about that?), so they gave me this unique theme to suit their particular situation.
I had never given a workshop based on a theme like this before, nor had I ever had so many participants in one workshop, so I really puzzled over what to do while I was preparing for this workshop. I decided to do rhythm training by clapping our hands and rhythm practice using kuchi shoga or vocalization of the rhythm. We did both of these activities rather thoroughly and the students concentrated hard until the very end and seemed to enjoy themselves, too.
I think it was a fruitful session, thanks to the encouraging support from my fellow Kodo members.
The lecture and workshop gave me a good opportunity to reflect on the basics, while the serious attitude, excited facial expressions, and laughter of the young participants’ gave us a lot of energy.
I really hope that they had a great time, too.
Thank you for such a fun time!
“New Piece Michiru” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity” New Piece Michiru
On our current tour, we have performed on Sado Island, and in Nagaoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.
Right now, we are in Tokyo.
In this production, we play my brand new piece Michiru.
When I first heard that the theme of this performance would be “Eternity,” for me it conjured the image of something “revolving.” I don’t know what is revolving exactly.
Perhaps it is like Sun or Moon orbiting, or the Earth revolving, or the hands of time turning over and over again. It could be the spirals and cycles of people’s everyday lives…
I took that image of “turning around” and worked to create a new piece in my favorite “taiko-meets-dance” style.
The title “Michiru” means “to be full.” It came from the words of our choreographer, Ms. Kawahara, who said “As the piece goes on, the power increases little by little until it is full like a full moon. (My name, Mitsuru, is similar to the name of this piece, but I didn’t name it after myself!)
Please come to see us play it live in Tokyo or Niigata!
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Eternity
Dec. 19 (Fri)–23 (Tue/Public Hol.) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
Dec. 25 (Thu) Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata City
“Opening Night of ‘Eternity'” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Nov. 20 Opening Night of “Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Eternity”
It took about a year to create our latest production, “Eternity,” and we celebrated its premiere on Sado Island.
Katarai (Composed by Tsuyoshi Maeda, arranged by Tamasaburo Bando)
Sunrise, light, wind, waves, the presence of flora and fauna, rain, clouds, the dark of night, stars, the moon, and then it’s morning again…
The perpetual working of nature. Every single phenomenon in this world continues on and on in endless spirals. Amidst those workings, people are allowed to exist, to live. Every piece in this programme depicts scenes incorporating these elements, all newly composed especially for this production.
When I first heard the title “Eternity,” I was surprised that we had been given such an enormous theme to work with, but as we delved into it with our artistic director, Tamasaburo Bando, we arrived at the realization that what we most wanted to portray was “human beings.” It really felt right, and we could all start creating pieces for it without any great strain.
Michiru (Composed & choreographed by Mitsuru Ishizuka)
By using all new pieces to create a completely new stage production, we have taken a big step away from our artistic director’s productions to date. So for us, the performers, it was a year spent wondering how it was going to unfold on stage and not really knowing without an audience to perform before. So, when the opening night finally arrived, the mood backstage was rather different than usual. There was a heavy feeling of tension in the air.
At last, it was time for the curtain to rise. On stage, we could feel the audience’s nervousness and expectation as they wondered what was going to happen. So, what did happen…?!
Well, to find out, please come and experience the performance live for yourself!
Our “Eternity” tour is ready to go!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Nov. 20 (Thu) Amusement Sado, Sado Is., Niigata
Nov. 30 (Sun) City Hall Plaza “Aore Nagaoka,” Nagaoka, Niigata
–”Heartbeat Project” Special Version–
Dec. 2 (Tue) Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Dec. 4 (Thu) Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall, Nagoya, Aichi
Dec. 6 (Sat) & 7 (Sun) NHK Osaka Hall, Osaka City
Dec. 10 (Wed) Okayama Civic Hall, Okayama City
Dec. 12 (Fri) Ueno Gakuen Hall, Hiroshima City
Dec. 15 (Mon) & 16 (Tue) Hakataza Theater, Fukuoka City
Dec. 19 (Fri)–23 (Tue/Public Hol.) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
Dec. 25 (Thu) Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata City
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity” Cast Interviews
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity”
We are proud to present the third work directed by artistic director Tamasaburo Bando: an evolutionary performance entitled “Eternity.” This production will premiere on Sado Island in November and tour around the major cities in Japan from late November through December. During their intense rehearsals, we interviewed two of the cast members: Mitsuru Ishizuka and Tsuyoshi Maeda.
Interviewees: Mitsuru Ishizuka, Tsuyoshi Maeda
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
From Monthly Japanese Newsletter “Kodo” Vol. 337 issued in July, 2014
When I was mulling over the theme of eternity, it occurred to me that “the workings of nature” unfold in spiral patterns. By enumerating “the workings of nature,” maybe we could express “eternity.” Strictly speaking there probably is no such thing as “eternity,” but as things that are connected to it, there’s dawn, light, rain, wind, clouds, waves, stars, dusk, the night sky, and amongst all these, I saw “human beings.”
Tamasaburo Bando
Mitsuru Ishizuka
The Beginnings of the Third Work by our Artistic Director
The creation of this production started without any plan or scenario: it began with the words, “So, what shall we do?” So, it felt new, scary, and exhilarating. We have been working with Tamasaburo Bando for more than ten years, it has been three years since he became our artistic director, and at last we reached a point where we could create a programme with him from scratch. I think Kodo has entered into new territory and this production will be an unprecedented taiko concert.
A Multitude of Musical Instruments
Kodo is primarily a group that gives concerts that let audiences listen to taiko. But I think the productions directed by Tamasaburo, first “Legend” and then “Mystery,” used taiko and performing arts as a base and then added more visual elements to create concerts for audiences to watch.
I feel that his third programme, “Eternity,” simply depicts human beings, rather than being a “concert” or a “show.” Because of that, there are less pieces where we play taiko with all our might, and more pieces with all kinds of small instruments, which we use express our various emotions. With a multitude of instruments, we portray a range of scenes such as having a conversation, taking a nap, and falling rain.
When I first heard the name “Eternity,” I thought the scale of the theme was so big. But now, in a sense, I think this is going to be our most human, life-sized performance to date.
Tsuyoshi Maeda
New Eternity-Themed Pieces
For me, the first thing that sprung to mind as a motif was “nature.” The concept of eternity is hard for me to grasp, but it made me things that create a span like the workings of nature. It also made me think of “time.” Music that loops and creates a trance also creates that sort of span, so this production features new pieces with those kinds of repetitive rhythms. I composed a piece for Eternity called Yogiri (Night Fog), which is played by intently beating the taiko and playing bonang (Indonesian percussion instruments) and rin gongs (Buddhist bells). I created it with the hope that even when this piece ends, it feels like it carries on; even when the sound ends, the musical realm lingers eternally.
Many of the other pieces composed by Kodo members for this programme were also melody-based. I guess that is because we all were trying to express nature and scenery. Perhaps “eternity” makes us all imagine something enormous that cannot be expressed just by looping rhythms. For me, the word “eternity” conjures such a massive image, so it’s hard to comprehend it and connect it to more concrete ideas. It is really difficult to find answers when I start pondering the question, “What is eternity?”
Nov. 20 (Thu) Amusement Sado, Sado Is., Niigata
Nov. 30 (Sun) City Hall Plaza “Aore Nagaoka,” Nagaoka, Niigata
–”Heartbeat Project” Special Version–
Dec. 2 (Tue) Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Dec. 4 (Thu) Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall, Nagoya, Aichi
Dec. 6 (Sat) & 7 (Sun) NHK Osaka Hall, Osaka City
Dec. 10 (Wed) Okayama Civic Hall, Okayama City
Dec. 12 (Fri) Ueno Gakuen Hall, Hiroshima City
Dec. 15 (Mon) & 16 (Tue) Hakataza Theater, Fukuoka City
Dec. 19 (Fri)–23 (Tue/Public Hol.) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
Dec. 25 (Thu) Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata City
“Ogi Matsuri!” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Aug. 29 Ogi Matsuri Daiko
Every year after Earth Celebration, the local festival “Ogi Matsuri” winds up the summer season.
During the festival, the Kodo members and apprentices take part by pulling a taiko cart around the streets of Ogi, going from house to house to play taiko as a sign of our appreciation to the townsfolk who look after us all year long.
Since I left the Kodo Village dormitory to live in Ogi, every year the Kodo cart also stops by my house to play taiko. As the thunderous roar of Kodo’s taiko gets closer and closer to my house, it makes my heart beat louder, and it’s a bit heartstopping, too… our sound certainly packs a punch!
In any case, our summer ended well again this year, thanks to everyone in Ogi. THANK YOU!!!
“Kodo ‘DADAN’ Madrid Performance” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
We, the “DADAN” cast & crew, came to Spain’s capital city, Madrid. The other day we were performing on an outdoor stage, so the mechanical atmosphere of this round theater is quite a contrast to that. The circular stalls section in the middle of the theater is apparently sometimes used as a stage for circuses and other events by taking those seats out.
Compared to the other theaters we have performed at on this tour, the stage width and depth are somewhat smaller, so we had to arrange our instruments and the cast formations to suit.
The new members are doing their best to hang in there as we adapt to each different venue we encounter.
Over 1000 people joined us for our evening performance in Madrid, making for a very lively, exciting capital-city performance.
Kodo “DADAN” Spain & France Performances
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140709dadan_en.html