“Come to See Kodo in Asakusa!” by Nobuyuki Nishimura
Come to see Kodo in Asakusa!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto, Taro Nishita and Naomi Iseki
There are always many visitors at Asakusa Engei Hall and at Kaminarimon entrance gate.
Asakusa is in a part of Tokyo called “shitamachi,” which is the traditional shopping, entertainment and residential district of Tokyo. It is an area where the atmosphere of the past decades of Tokyo is still alive and well. We had performances at Asakusa Public Hall last year and we have been given the chance to perform here again this year, too!
A year has passed since I personally became based in Asakusa. I was lucky enough to help carry a mikoshi (portable shrine) during Asakusa’s famous festival, “Sanja Matsuri.” People in Asakusa think about this festival all year long and the whole town sparkles when the time for the festival itself draws near.
Left: Mr. Fuji, President of Asakusa Tourism Association
Right: Vice President Mr. Kawakami with some Kodo members and I in front of his shop (2013)
I think it is important that our production goes well with the atmosphere of the theater. In Asakusa Public Hall, all the seats are close to the stage, from the stalls to the upper floors. Also, the hall is one of the best theaters acoustically for a Kodo performance. I can feel the passion of the people involved with the theater just by entering the building, and even when you set foot outside, you can feel that Asakusa is a place where the town is lifted by culture and where culture really thrives.
Kodo exhibition at Asakusa Public Hall in 2013. We are planning an exhibition for 2014, too.
We will have a Kodo exhibition again at the concert venue this year. Some of the local shops will have stalls at the venue, too. There will be so many things going on alongside the performances. We hope you will come and enjoy them all!
Postcards advertising our Asakusa performances are on shop counters throughout Asakusa.
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
June 21 (Sat) – 25 (Wed) Asakusa Public Hall, Taito Ward, Tokyo
21 (Sat) Start: 16:00
22(Sun) & 23 (Mon) Start: 15:00
24 (Tue) Start: 18:00
25 (Wed) Start: 14:00
Doors open 30 mins. before the performances.
All seats reserved.
Tickets: 7,000 yen, Students 3,000 yen
*Ticket Outlets
tvk Ticket Counter Tel. 0570-00-3117
Asakusa Public Hall Tel. 03-3844-7491
Ticket Pia Tel. 0570-02-9999
Ticket 6 (Roku) Tel. 03-5826-0315
“Star’s Square” outside Asakusa Public Hall is a collection of handprints and autographs of famous entertainers, including our artistic director Tamasaburo Bando. Here is Yuta Sumiyoshi with Tamasaburo’s handprint.
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
June 21 (Sat) – 25 (Wed) Asakusa Public Hall, Taito Ward, Tokyo