fbpx

“An Encore Performance with Bac Ha” by Atsushi Sugano

At Earth Celebration 2016, Kodo collaborated for the first time with Bac Ha, a traditional music ensemble from Vietnam. This week, Bac Ha is coming back to Japan for the first time in two years to collaborate with Kodo again.

Photo: Atsushi SuganoThe 2018 collaboration will be directed by Yuta Sumiyoshi, shown here during his first-ever visit to Hanoi in December last year. He got a taste of Vietnam and enjoyed rehearsals and exchange throughout his immersive stay.

Photo: Atsushi Sugano

Photo: Atsushi SuganoIt is such a pleasure for Kodo to introduce the artists we meet on our travels to audiences in Japan. Bac Ha arrives in Japan today and after rehearsals at Kodo Village this week, Kodo will give a performance with them in Niigata City on May 26.

We hope to see you there!

May 26 (Sat), 2018 Kodo Select Ensemble Appearance at “Earth Celebration Collaboration: Kodo & Bac Ha” –NST 50th, Ryutopia 20th, & Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations 45th Anniversary Commemorative Event (Niigata City)

 

“Where Kodo’s Sound Begins” by Eri Uchida

We currently have seventeen Kodo apprentices after welcoming a group of new entrants to Kodo Apprentice Centre at the beginning of April. The first day of training for the new first years was making and shaping bachi (taiko drumsticks).

Photo: Eri Uchida

Under Tomohiro Mitome’s instruction, they learn why they make their own bachi, and the step-by-step process of bachi making, from how to choose the wood to whittling the wood into shape. The things they learn are packed with the wisdom that Mitome has gained from his own experience of trial and error making bachi to date with his own two hands.

“When you make bachi, you are crafting your sound”

The local carpenter who joined the lesson to teach them how to sharpen their planes said,
“If your equipment works well, you can do your job well.”

Those words are painfully true, I thought.

Photo: Eri Uchida

Bachi making is not a skill we can master in one day, no matter how clearly we are taught.

Life gets busier as the days go by at Kodo Apprentice Centre. I wonder how much time they can make for themselves to practice what they are being told and embody those lessons.

Photos: Eri UchidaThe roots. The fundamentals. The essence of things.
That is what we all learn at the Apprentice Centre.
It reminded me that I mustn’t forget these foundations, regardless of the experience I gain traveling the world and appearing on stage.

 

About the Kodo Apprentice Centre

“Europe Evolution Tour Finale!” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro

Apr. 2, 2018

After nine weeks on the road with “Evolution” throughout Europe, we held our tour finale in Moscow, Russia.

Photo: Mio Teycheney-TakashiroWe were so happy to end the tour with an audience of over 2,500 people enthusiastically yelling “Bravo!” after our performance. Thank you very much to everyone who came to see our performances in Europe over the past two months. See you all again in two years, if not before!

Photos courtesy of Mio Teycheney-Takashiro, Production Manager

Director:

Tamasaburo Bando

Cast:

“Kodo One Earth Tour 2018: Evolution” Europe Tour

“Once-in-a-Lifetime Smiles” by Hayato Otsuka

Mar. 23, 2018
Photo: Hayato Otsuka
Photo: Hayato Otsuka

We had a day off in Tallinn, the day before our performance there. It’s a lovely city with buildings dating back to the middle ages.

Photo: Ryoma Tsurumi

The town is adorned with elaborate details.
Even at the restaurants, their consideration showed through their attention to detail.

Photo: Ryoma Tsurumi

I felt fulfilled and full: my body, soul, and stomach!
Also, many people attended and enjoyed our performance.

Photo: Hayato Otsuka

After back-to-back performances in Switzerland and one performance in Estonia, today we are heading to Finland. Right now, I feel keenly aware that every trip is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Photo: Mio Takashiro

From the devoted agents who have presented Kodo for many years
to the many wonderful supporters who facilitate our performances.

The audiences who welcome us with passion and enthusiasm.
The atmosphere and history of each venue.
The unique characteristics and background of each country.
The taiko and us, the performers.

All these people and elements come together for each performance and meld together to create sound each night.

Photo: Hayato Otsuka

There is nothing I take for granted, not even breathing the air in a place I visit on tour.
Each time we are on stage, a glimmering chemical reaction is created that we can only encounter right there and then.
While I sometimes feel a sense of inevitability, every time I’m on stage it never fails to feel new and wondrous.

Photo: Mayumi Hirata

For that reason, I want to always reflect on the value of each moment.
I want to continue to sense all those moments

And among those moments are the occasions when everyone smiles.

They are all once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
I will always treasure these feelings and sensations.
Photo: Ryoma Tsurumi

“Kodo One Earth Tour 2018: Evolution” Europe Tour

“Our Berlin Performance on Feb. 26” by Maya Minowa

Photo: Maya Minowa

Berlin, Germany.
The very place where Kodo made its debut 37 years ago.

Photo: Maya Minowa

Photo: Maya Minowa
That’s why Berlin is a very special place for Kodo.
On our 2018 tour, we were invited to give a performance at Berliner Philharmonie.

Photo: Maya Minowa

This hall boasts some of the world’s best acoustics. Even the sound of Japanese drums (wadaiko) resonates well here, very clearly and true to life. Good sound reached us no matter where we sat in the hall.

Photo: Maya Minowa

37 years ago, when the members of Sado no Kuni Ondekoza shifted directions and became Kodo, I wonder how they felt when they played taiko when they debuted here in Berlin.
That time of change must have been a more distressing time for those members than I could ever imagine.

From those new beginnings, Kodo’s performances have continued to evolve for decades.

I want the spirit when we face the drums, our spirit of resonance with the drums, to never change. I want to continue sharing that sound with people all over the world.

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

“Kodo One Earth Tour 2018: Evolution” Europe Tour


Kodo Blog Archive