Kodo Blog

Oct 25 (Thu), 2018 / Last updated : Oct 25 (Thu), 2018 melanie Posts by MembersEvent Performance(s), Russia, Shogo Komatsuzaki, Solo/Small-Group Projects

“Moscow in October. Golden Autumn” by Shogo Komatsuzaki

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I just got back from Moscow. I’ve been there several times before, but it was always at the end of March when it was really cold. On my previous visits, it was cloudy every day and so cold that it was tough to simply go outside. So my impression of Moscow was somewhat heavy, cold, and dull.
But Moscow in October was completely different and this time I was greeted by feel-good autumn sun and breezes.

This time we performed at the Japanese Embassy and Grand Kremlin Palace.

We also led a taiko workshop for students at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and local taiko players. The workshop was about two hours long and we also joined them for a social gathering.

I felt the local passion towards music and performing arts through the wonderful support of the organizers, the townscape in Moscow in a milder season, and the smiles of the workshop participants who watched us intently.

It was a thoroughly fulfilling week and by the end of it I really liked Moscow. I was already thinking about coming back and seeing everyone again.

Thank you very much to everyone who looked after us on this visit.
I hope the bonds we made will last a very long time.

Oct. 11 (Thu)–13 (Sat), 2018 Russian Performance Tour “Golden Autumn 2018: Russian Agricultural Exhibition” Presented by Russian Ministry of Agriculture *Private performances

Sep 24 (Mon), 2018 / Last updated : Sep 24 (Mon), 2018 melanie Posts by StaffCollaboration, Tamasaburo Bando, Yugen

“Deep into the Woods of Japanese Culture” by Melanie Taylor

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This month Kodo is performing at Kabukiza Theatre as musicians for the new Kabuki production “Yugen.” It’s based on the sellout Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo collaboration last year, which went by the same name. Both the 2017 production and 2018 Kabuki are based on three iconic Noh plays: The Feather Robe, The Stone Bridge, and Dojoji Temple.

So, why see a new Kabuki work based on a collaboration based on Noh?
In short, this production is a trip to a deep, dark, intriguing part of Japan that you won’t find on TripAdvisor or the like.
You may not realize it from the flier, but this is your chance to go off the beaten track and deep into the woods of Japanese culture.

I saw last year’s version three times, and this year’s twice so far. I’m going back for a third time before it ends on Sep. 26. There’s something quite addictive about the world they conjure on stage and I feel compelled to go again while I have the chance.

In all honesty, this is unlike any Kabuki I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been fortunate enough to attend quite a few performances at Kabukiza Theatre over the past decade.
The big difference for me is probably the powerful beat. There is something about twenty Kodo performers on that immense stage playing with such soul and precision that draws you in and carries you away with more force than usual. As if connecting the audience to the stage on a primal, foot-tap inducing level, I felt the addition of more drums and new music made the Kabuki less foreign and more superhuman than usual. Prepare to be stunned by the power, grace, and presence of the actors. It’s extraordinary and breathtaking.

Quite simply, Yugen is a spectacular, entertaining event that will show you Japanese culture with splendour and intensity, give you goosebumps, make your jaw drop and your heart beat in time with the stage and audience members.
While it might be the most Japanese experience you’ll have in Japan, I suspect you’ll also leave feeling more connected to the humans all over the world. I can’t help but thinking that human beings doing their best on stage, right before our eyes, inspire us all the more in whatever we strive to do each day. In an age of YouTube and people happy to watch a DVD if they can’t attend a performance, “Yugen” reminds us of the many roles of the theater: to delight, to surprise, to remind us of human effort and ability, and to recharge our souls. I could go on.

I don’t want to add any spoilers, so I’ll just urge you once more: if you’re in or near Tokyo, I really hope you can see this performance.

And I invite you to share your feedback after you attend.
Kodo will be using this valuable experience to inspire our new compositions and productions, so we would appreciate your insight to help us entertain you all the more!

Kodo Appearance in New Kabuki Production “Yugen” at Kabukiza Theatre September Kabuki Performances [Evening Show] (Chuo Ward, Tokyo)

Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Stage Production: Shochiku Co. Ltd.
All rights reserved.

Sep 17 (Mon), 2018 / Last updated : Sep 19 (Wed), 2018 melanie Posts by StaffKASA, KASA/MIX, Kodo Apprentice Centre, Kodo Apprentices, Kodo Cultural Foundation, Sado Island, Workshop(s), Yui Kamiya

“KASA/MIX 2018” by Yui Kamiya

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KASA/MIX was held once again this year on Sado Island!
This is a week-long biennial program geared for taiko players from abroad.

This program not only features an exclusive time at Kodo’s Apprentice Centre with the apprentices, but also gives a chance to experience the beautiful nature of Sado and the craftsmanship of Kodo and the Japanese culture.
This year, we had participants join from a record breaking number of 7 countries with 22 people representing all over the world!

We had people from the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., Italy, Germany, and Singapore, all with unique taiko experiences and loads of energy.

The trip began in Kanazawa, where we all did some sightseeing together. Next we visited Asano Taiko for a tour of their workshop space, and we also took some lessons on mini-taiko making and Odaiko taught by Akemi Jige.

Then, we traveled to Sado Island and headed to Kodo Apprentice Centre.
Even before meeting the KASA/MIX participants, the Apprentices seemed very nervous and worried as they were not necessarily confident in their English language and communication skills.
But all of those worries blew away once everyone arrived, of course, because there was so much joy and excitement filling the air!

Three nights and four days were spent at the Apprentice Centre, and the workshops were conducted by Kodo’s performing members.

Yoko Fujimoto’s Voice Circle brought everyone’s voices and energy together.

And Tomohiro Mitome’s odaiko bachi making and taiko basics workshops gave everyone a better sense of craftsmanship and the way we play taiko.

Yoshie Abe’s katsugi okedo workshop not only showed the basics of playing this particular style, but to also how to move around elegantly with the drum.

And lastly, Yoshikazu Fujimoto’s odaiko workshop gave everyone time to play on the large drums with all their might.

During the program, KASA/MIX participants ran with the Apprentices every morning…

…and experienced the great nature and fresh air of Sado that surrounds the facility.

We played games together, and ate meals together like a big family.

For the Apprentices, cleaning time may have been a dreaded activity in their daily schedule, but doing their chores together with KASA/MIX participants made them much more fun.

At night, we had KASA/MIX participants share their stories and experiences of taiko in their home country.

Since this was many of the apprentices’ first time to be exposed to taiko outside of Japan, this was a valuable time for them to learn what is out there in the broader world. We also had one-on-one conversation sessions where the apprentices did their best to communicate in English and use body language to talk to their new friends from abroad.

Activities like these make KASA/MIX so special, and create a remarkable experience for the apprentices, as they overcome language barriers and connect with everyone through taiko and heart to heart.

Taiko may have come from Japan, but it is also now a worldwide sensation.

As “taiko” continues to grow globally, I feel that KASA/MIX also grows as a program along with it. KASA/MIX helps our future Kodo performers make friends all over the world, even before they make their debut as a performing member.

KASA/MIX is only offered once every two years, which means that the apprentices only get to experience it once during their two-year apprenticeship.

This experience has definitely opened up many opportunities for these young adults, and we truly thank you all of you who took part in the program this year.
It was so much fun, and we really look forward to seeing you all again!

See you again soon!

Please follow KASA (Kodo Arts Sphere America) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kodoarts/
For those of you who are interested in participating our next KASA/MIX, please email kodoarts@earthlink.net to register your interest.

Yui Kamiya, KASA/MIX Staff Member

Kodo Apprentice Centre
https://www.kodo.or.jp/apr

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Aug 28 (Tue), 2018 / Last updated : Aug 28 (Tue), 2018 melanie Posts by MembersEarth Celebration, Jun Jidai, Sado Island, Yugen

“Like the Ever-Changing Sky – EC 2018” by Jun Jidai

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Just like that, EC 2018 is over.
Thank you so much to everyone who came along.
I hope you had a safe journey home and took great memories of your time on Sado with you.