Tag ‘Hirofumi Uenoyama’
“Project Funded! Thank You All for Your Generous Support!” by Hirofumi Uenoyama
Project Funded！
Thank You All for Your Generous Support!
We are pleased to announce that our crowdfunding project to help share the story of Kodo’s first 30 years and before, “Inochi Moyashite Tatakeyo,” with libraries all over Japan was successfully funded.
https://readyfor.jp/projects/inochi_moyashite_tatakeyo
Takao Aoki, President of Kitamaesen Co., Ltd.
I asked Takao Aoki, president of Kodo’s management company, Kitamaesen Co., Ltd., to choose some episodes from the book to share with you all. The book is only available in Japanese, so in English, we will share some of the main points through the photos below.
“Early in 1987, we got the shocking news that Kodo’s leader, Toshio Kawauchi (who we all called ‘Hancho’) had died in an accident in the Philippines. I took over the management of the group suddenly and every time I wasn’t sure what to do, I asked myself: What would Hancho do in this situation?”
“We forged ahead to realize Hancho’s vision of building a base on Sado Island for Kodo with a main building, living quarters, and rehearsal hall. Kodo needed a place to put down roots while traveling the world, to maintain balance between touring and home. I decided that it was important to carry out this vision, even if it was one step at a time.”
“This photo was taken in August 1988 at the concert we held at the opening of Kodo Village. In 1992, we built our rehearsal hall on the foundations seen in the foreground below the concert stage.”
Mr. Aoki took over the reigns from Kodo’s first managing director, Toshio Kawauchi (Hancho), and has been steering Kodo forward ever since, one step at a time.
Kodo Group Portrait, New Year 2015
Mr. Aoki says, “I want Kodo to exist in 100 years from now, in 200 years from now… and at the heart of Kodo, there will always be people who play taiko earnestly. That is something we will always hold dear.”
■Online Fundraising Final Total for “Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project (as of May. 16)
711,000 yen (Goal: 500,000 yen) = 142% funded
We raised more than our goal, which means we can share more books with more libraries around Japan!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT, EVERYONE!
“Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150316readyfor_en.html
“Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project (Japanese)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150316readyfor_ja.html
“[18 Days to Go!] Online Fundraising for ‘Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.’ Project” by Hirofumi Uenoyama
[18 Days to Go!]
Online Fundraising for “Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project
The goal of this new project is to donate the Kodo 30th Anniversary Publication “Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo. – 30 Years of Kodo –” to libraries all over Japan. We are asking for support by way of the READYFOR crowdfunding website. The campaign started on March 16 and will run for 60 days, until May 14. This crowdfunding website is available in Japanese only. Thank you in advance for your kind support, either by way of a donation or by sharing this project on social media.
READYFOR “Share the Spirit of Kodo with Libraries All Over Japan!” Fundraising Website (in Japanese):https://readyfor.jp/projects/inochi_moyashite_tatakeyo
Yoshikazu Fujimoto today
Here are some photos from the book featuring Yoshikazu Fujimoto, one of Kodo’s founding members.
In 2010, Yoshikazu became the first active Kodo performer to reach the milestone age of 60. He is still going strong, drumming with the heart of a child.
■Online Fundraising Update for ‘Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.’ Project (as of Apr. 26)
257,000 yen (Goal: 500,000 yen) = 51% funded
There are 18 days to go until the project closes. Thank you in advance for your support!
“Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150316readyfor_en.html
“Inochi Moyashite, Tatakeyo.” Project (Japanese)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150316readyfor_ja.html
“Mirai no Gakko Presentation on Sep. 12″ by Hirofumi Uenoyama
Presenting “Mirai no Gakko”(School of the Future),
A New Company Training Program
by Cornell University and Kodo Cultural Foundation
Aoyama, Tokyo on September 12
Kodo Cultural Foundation, the Cornell University Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, and ifs Future Laboratory are working together to develop a program called “Mirai no Gakko,” which will nurture future leaders. Together, we are also planning projects that will take place on Sado Island from 2015.
“Mirai no Gakko” means “School of the Future.” On Sep. 12 in Aoyama, Tokyo, we will introduce the concept of this program and give people the opportunity to experience it in part through a taiko workshop led by a Kodo Cultural Foundation instructor.
The event is open to anyone, but please let us know in advance if you will attend.
Presenting “Mirai no Gakko,” a new company training system by Cornell University and Kodo Cultural Foundation
Date: Sep. 12 (Fri), 2014 14:00-16:00
Venue: WORK WORK SHOP at ifs Future Laboratory (CI Plaza 2F, 2-3-1 Kita Aoyama, Minato Ward, Tokyo)
Access: 2-min. walk from Exit 4a at Gaienmae Stn on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Programme: Introduction of “Mirai no Gakko,” greetings from “Miraino Gakko” supporters, taiko workshop.
To Apply: Email Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) with your name, occupation, number of participants, and daytime contact/ mobile phone number. Email: info@sadotaiken.jp
Inquiries: Mr. Uenoyama, Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) Tel. 0259-86-2320
“From Fukaura Gakusha (Fukaura Schoolhouse)” by Hirofumi Uenoyama
Fukaura Gakusha (Fukaura Schoolhouse)/ Trial First Year of the “Community Development Course”
This April, we launched our new “Community Development Course.” It offers the opportunity to learn from Sado’s nature and culture firsthand and uses those experiences to cultivate human resources who will activate local communities. For this first trial year, we have welcomed two trainees: Misaki Nakamura from Kiso, Nagano, and Misato Akazawa from Niigata City. The trainees are based at the former Fukaura Elementary School, which was renovated for a fresh start under the name “Fukaura Gakusha” (Fukaura Schoolhouse). The duo have begun their studies, which center on learning from locals about the area’s agricultural & fishing industries, festivals & traditional performing arts, preservation of historic architectural areas, culture and more.
The trainees produced a special Fukaura Gakusha unveiling event, held on April 20. They gained practical experience by planning and running the event, making fliers, and digging out memorabilia and photo albums that were left in the former school to display as a nostalgic exhibition on the day. The locals who joined us for the unveiling smiled as they reminisced about the school and relived various episodes from the past. It was a valuable experience for me to see firsthand the role this school had played in the region.
On May 4, the trainees took part in the “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island” special event “Traditional Rice Planting,” under the guidance of master farmer Mr. Kenichiro Aoki. They experienced planting rice by hand in a traditional way using seedings from a semi-irrigated rice nursery. The trainees wore traditional work pants and bamboo hats and they worked very hard with other participants.
During the course of the year ahead, I would like to join the two trainees as they recognize and tackle local issues and problems. Through the trial and error, I hope that we can discover the real identity of “community development.”
The trainees’ reports are being shared on the Kodo Cultural Foundation Facebook page in Japanese. We hope you’ll take a look at their updates.
Kodo Cultural Foundation Facebook Page (in Japanese) https://www.facebook.com/KodoCulturalFoundation?fref=ts