Kodo Blog

Aug 2 (Thu), 2018 / Last updated : Feb 28 (Thu), 2019 melanie Posts by MembersFukushima, Japan Tour, Michi, Shogo Komatsuzaki

“Kodo ‘Michi’ Iwaki Performance” by Shogo Komatsuzaki

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Aug. 1, 2018

There’s only four performances to go on our “Michi” 2018 tour.
We had a cast change for the second half of the tour to swap over the youngest members. Every day is fulfilling for all of us.

Our physical and mental state is different for each performance.

We have to think about drumming, walking, singing, and standing naturally on stage, which is more difficult and nerve-wracking than meets the eye. We have to make sure our body and mind are in the right condition before the curtain rises each day, so when we take a good look at ourselves, we can say, “I am in good form.”

On stage, each and every one of us has different roots and brings our own unique experience to the performance. We give it all we’ve got, right until the last beat, sharing heart and soul as we play our resounding instruments together.

Today, we have a performance in my hometown, Iwaki.

I moved to Sado Island ten years ago to become a Kodo apprentice.

Rather that trying to say my feelings with a lot of words to the special people in my hometown, I’ll try to say what I want to say through my sound on stage.

Upcoming “Michi” Performances

Cast (July-Aug.)

Motofumi Yamaguchi, Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Kenta Nakagome, Maya Minowa, Shogo Komatsuzaki, Masayasu Maeda, Kodai Yoshida, Seita Saegusa, Yuki Hirata, Chihiro Watanabe, Taiyo Onoda, Shun Takuma

Jul 31 (Tue), 2018 / Last updated : Jul 31 (Tue), 2018 melanie Posts by MembersFrance, Kodo Next Generation, Paris, Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga

[Kodo Next Generation] “The Time of My Life” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga

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I’m not sure where to start.

It’s difficult to put into words how these past two weeks at the Théâtre du Soleil have been, but simply put, it has been one of the most interesting experiences of my life.

It has been a time of tranquility, but also a time of passion.
A time of exhilaration, but also a time of exasperation.
It was truly a much-needed time of self-meditation, and a time of self-reflection for each and every one of us.

I’m still having trouble writing down my thoughts.

One thing that is for sure is that we are truly grateful for all the support and love we receive doing what we do.

To Ariane Mnouchkine and the wonderful people at the Theatre du Soleil: thank you for bringing us into your home like family. This has truly been an opportunity of a lifetime.

To our families, staff, and supporters all over the world; we are only here because of you. We appreciate all the love and support, and we promise to strive to continue to bring you our very best.

Once again, thank you to everyone, and we hope we’ll see all of you very soon.

Kodo Next Generation (France)

Jul 30 (Mon), 2018 / Last updated : Jul 30 (Mon), 2018 melanie Posts by StaffFrance, Kodo Next Generation, Kodo Performance, Mio Teycheney-Takashiro

[Kodo Next Generation] “Merci!” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro

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July 23, 2018

Our two-week-long residence at Théâtre du Soleil has flown by and our final performance is over.

Thanks to everyone’s support we welcomed full houses every day, in fact it was more than full on the final day with over forty people on the waitlist. So, we invited those people in to sit in the aisles and on extra benches so they didn’t miss out.

When the curtain call rolled around, we saw many members of the Theatre gathered alongside the seating area. During our encore number, they looked like they were having a great time dancing and embracing each other.

I am truly happy that we were able to carry out this performance series in Paris with the warm support of so many people.

I am writing this post the day after the finale. Today we have been packing our instruments and bags, tidying up, and cleaning. While I am feeling grateful for the wonderful time we have had here, I also feel sad knowing that our stay at Théâtre du Soleil is about to end.

Both the cast and production staff for “Kodo Next Generation” are young, so my role was to support them. I watched over them every day.

They are the next generation of Kodo and they are brimming with passion, energy, and joy. I feel that the future is in good hands. This residence with them in Paris was an exciting, valuable experience for all of us.

The time we all spent at this utopia, Théâtre du Soleil, is like a precious seed. I am already looking forward to seeing the fruit it bears in the years to come.

Lastly, on behalf of Kodo, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect to Ariane Mnouchkine of Théâtre du Soleil for inviting “Kodo Next Generation” to France.
Merci beaucoup!!!

Mio Teycheney-Takashiro, Production Manager

Kodo Next Generation (France)

Jul 27 (Fri), 2018 / Last updated : Jul 27 (Fri), 2018 melanie Posts by StaffEiichi Saito, Kodo Apprentice Centre, Kodo Apprentices, Kodo Cultural Foundation, Kodo Juku, Misato Akazawa, Sado Island, Workshop(s)

“Applications Close Soon for Kodo Juku 2018” by Misato Akazawa

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“Kodo Juku” is a 4-day, 3-night live-in workshop at Kodo Apprentice Centre, surrounded by lush nature on Sado Island.
Eiichi Saito’s Kodu Juku Taiko Workshop began in 1992. Ever since, Saito has led these workshops with overt enthusiasm, sharing his passion for taiko and facilitating self discovery and new connections through this powerful resonant instrument.

At Kodo Juku, you’ll experience the daily life of Kodo apprentices. It promises to be a memorable escape from your usual life!

No taiko experience is necessary, just come along and give it a go.
We hope you’ll apply!

Apply for Kodo Juku 2018↓
https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/performance_en/performance_ws_en/10716

*Note: Workshop will be conducted in Japanese.

Jul 23 (Mon), 2018 / Last updated : Jul 23 (Mon), 2018 melanie Posts by MembersFrance, Kodo Next Generation, Paris, Tomoe Miura

[Kodo Next Generation] “The Tour Finale” by Tomoe Miura

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Hello, everyone!
Ten days has passed since we arrived in Paris. We’ve enjoyed nice weather and the feel-good breeze that blows through the Bois de Vincennes.

Many things happen each day that remind me how inexperienced I am, but I know am still very early on in my career. This experience here in Paris is a seed that will grow. I feel determined to do my best in life as a taiko performer. That seed, that drive, I carry them on stage with me to face each new performance.

For ten days, we have been based at Théâtre du Soleil in the Bois de Vincennes in suburban Paris. Both our accommodations and our performances have been on site.

The members of the Théâtre make our meals and take good care of us on and off stage. Thanks to them, we can rest assured each day that our daily life and our performances are in great hands.

Even if we had a tough day for some reason or other, their delicious meals and their warm smiles always saved the day.

Thanks to Ariane Mnouchkine, the director of Théâtre du Soleil, and the entire company, we have made it to the day of our finale. Thank you all very much!

Only one performance to go. I’ll give 200% again today, right until the very last beat!

Kodo Next Generation (France)

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