Tag ‘Kaguyahime’
“Huge Surprise Kodo Reunion at the Port!” by Narumi Matsuda
I found myself heading back to Sado Island on the same ferry as the “Kaguyahime” members on their way back from Canada, the “DADAN” members returning from Hong Kong, Chieko who was in Australia, and Eiichi who had been in Tokyo leading workshops!
I was on my way home from a business trip to Nagano when I ran into everyone at the port, so I had traveled the least distance of everyone. I hadn’t seen some of the members in two months, so we talked about our travels as we boarded the ferry. Now that all the fall tours have come to an end, we’ll all be back on Sado Island together for a while.
“Kodo in November” by Tomohiro Mitome
Nov. 1. 2015
From Fall into Winter: Kodo in November
Hello everyone. I hope that you are all well. This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
November has just begun, yet it’s already remarkably cold here on Sado Island.
On October 18, we gave our final performance of “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity,” which premiered in November 2014 and toured throughout the past year. This was the third production directed by Tamasaburo Bando since he became our artistic director in 2012. “Eternity” has such a profound title and theme and was created entirely from brand new compositions. For Kodo, this work was full of new challenges in musical and stage expression, which led us to new depths and heights on stage.
Photo: Courtesy of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal
Meanwhile, in Canada another cast of Kodo members took part in the contemporary ballet production “Kaguyahime” in October. Every performance received such a wonderful, excited response from its audience. Kodo throughly enjoyed taking part in this collaboration again and week by week, our performers deepened their connection with the dancers, Gagaku musicians, and percussionists. We are truly grateful for this experience.
Our Kaguyahime cast members also found time between the ballet performances to present Kodo’s first ever School Workshop Performances abroad. It was a very good experience for both sides: many children in Montreal had the chance to experience the sound and vibrations of taiko for the first time and our members got to try speaking French for the first time to deliver their self introductions to the audience.
Speaking of performances abroad, we also held “DADAN 2015” performances at the end of October in Hong Kong, and in November a small Kodo ensemble will head to Bali, Indonesia, for collaborations with EC 2015 guest artist Suar Agung. It’s the first time in 29 years for Kodo to visit both Hong Kong and Bali, so in both cases it’s the first time for all the cast members to visit these places with Kodo. I’m sure the performers will be inspired by these new places & experiences. We look forward to sharing stories and news from our travels with you through this blog, so please stay tuned for updates.
Kodo at “Shion Kansha Nihon Taiko Festival 2014”
Also, this November I’ll return to Ise in Mie Prefecture with Kodo for a taiko festival at the Ise Grand Shrine called “13th Shinon Kansha Nihon Taiko Matsuri.” Kodo performed at this event last year, too. This exciting two-day event draws amazing performance groups from all over Japan and such an enthusiastic crowd.
From the 2014 Kodo Apprentice Centre Harvest Festival 2014
Futhermore, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Kodo Apprentice Centre’s relocation to its current premises: the former Iwakubi Junior High School premises in Kakinoura on Sado Island. Every year in early November the apprentices plan and hold their own “Harvest Festival” and this year they are having a “Great Harvest Festival,” which will be a huge celebration. Kodo Apprentice Centre alumni and Kodo members will come along to perform and enjoy a freshly harvested feast together. This festival is our way of saying thanks to the locals in the Kakinoura and Iwakubi area for their constant kindness. Since all Kodo members and many Kodo staff members pass through the Apprentice Centre, the festival is always a great reunion for Kodo and the locals near the Centre. I am truly looking forward to the Great Harvest Festival that celebrates this milestone year.
Last but not least, on Nov. 23 “Kodo One Earth Tour: Chaos,” the latest production directed by our artistic director Tamasaburo Bando, will premiere on Sado Island.
Sounds of the West, the East, and Japan will create a world of chaos and harmony as they entwine and disperse. This new work is based upon bolder, more liberated ideas than ever before for a Kodo performance.
With the unveiling of this new production and the start of a new tour, November marks another exciting beginning for the Kodo.
“The Finale of ‘Kaguyahime'” by Yui Kawamoto
The Finale of “Kaguyahime”
The “Kaguyahime” performance series in Montreal has come to an end!
I’m calling this just a temporary goodbye to all the cast, including Les Grands Ballets, who we have worked with since 2012.
Looking forward to seeing you all again, somewhere in the world!
To everyone who attended the performance, the wonderfully talented cast members, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal who invited us to be a part of this beautiful program:
Thank you very much for a magical time!
Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
Kodo Cast: Masaru Tsuji, Kenta Nakagome, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Ryosuke Inada
(Photo: Damian Siqueiros / Dancers: Jerimy Rivera & Edi Blloshmi)
“Cooking Together” by Tetsumi Hanaoka
Oct. 15, 2015
I’ve been in Canada for a week now. When we travel abroad, we usually eat out for most of our meals. It’s enjoyable to eat local food to experience a place, but we also long for the tastes of Japan.
This time while I’m in Montreal, I have a kitchen in my hotel room. So I decided to cook while I’m here!
For this particular lunch, each person was in charge of bringing along one part of the same dish.
Ryosuke was in charge of the vegetables: carrots, onions, and potatoes. The onion was almost as big as his face!
I was in charge of the pork, which I carved myself.
Kenta was in charge of the rice.
Yuta was in charge of the curry roux… so yes, that’s right: we made Japanese curry together!
When we all get together and cook like this, it reminds me of life at the Kodo Apprentice Centre and living in the dorm at Kodo Village.
Curry tastes so good when you make it and eat it with others. We made a full pot and ate every last bit. (LOL)
This should see us through the rehearsals this afternoon!
Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
Kodo Cast: Masaru Tsuji, Kenta Nakagome, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Ryosuke Inada
(Photo: Damian Siqueiros / Dancers: Jerimy Rivera & Edi Blloshmi)
“Ready for ‘Kaguyahime’!” by Kenta Nakagome
Oct. 14, 2015
We had our full dress rehearsal for “Kaguyahime” today.
It’s our opening night tomorrow!
Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
Kodo Cast: Masaru Tsuji, Kenta Nakagome, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Ryosuke Inada
(Photo: Damian Siqueiros / Dancers: Jerimy Rivera & Edi Blloshmi)
“Mr. de Roo’s Special Souvenir” by Tetsumi Hanaoka
Just as we thought the colours of autumn were getting richer, all of a sudden there was snow in Montreal! Over the weekend the temperature fell and today it was just 1℃ during the day. Of course, the cold is no problem for Kodo! We are all doing our best!
We had rehearsals on Sado Island, then further rehearsals after we arrived in Montreal, and last week the curtain rose on the 2015 season of “Kaguyahime”! Every day our conductor, Mr. Michael de Roo, made detailed adjustments to the music as the dancers rehearsed on stage.
The choreographers are so serious during the rehearsals, but during the breaks we can see their playful side, too!
The percussionists are all so friendly. I’ll tell you more about them and our interactions with them soon!
Back to the conductor, Mr. de Roo. A certain item has pride of place on his music stand. Can you guess what it is?
It’s a Hokusetsu notepad!
Hokusetsu is the name of a sake brewery in Akadomari on Sado Island. Mr. de Roo likes Japanese sake, especially sake from Sado! During our rehearsals at Kodo Village, it turns out that he visited the Hokusetsu Brewery for a tour and was given this notepad!
When we saw Mr. de Roo’s beloved souvenir from Sado Island in Canada, it warmed our hearts.
Kodo Appearance in Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
Kodo Cast: Masaru Tsuji, Kenta Nakagome, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Ryosuke Inada
(Photo: Damian Siqueiros / Dancers: Jerimy Rivera & Edi Blloshmi)
“Exclusive Kodo Costume for Kaguyahime” by Yui Kawamoto
The Kodo performers had their costumes fitted for “Kaguyahime.”
These costumes were made especially for each of the performers according to their personal size.
They are so comfortable that they all want to take their one home.
In the costumes, we saw this tag:
This Kodo costume is exclusive to Kaguyahime!
Kodo Appearance in Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
Kodo Cast: Masaru Tsuji, Kenta Nakagome, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Tetsumi Hanaoka, Ryosuke Inada
“Rehearsals for ‘Kaguyahime’ on Sado” by Yui Kawamoto
Something is different about the rehearsal hall at Kodo Village this week.
An elegant, comfortable, special sound is resonating throughout the building… what can it be?
It is the sound of the Sado-based rehearsals for “Kaguyahime”!
We are currently rehearsing with conductor Michael de Roo and Gagaku (Japanese court music) ensemble Reigakusha for this month’s ballet performances that will be held in Montreal, Canada.
Here’s to the next performance season of “Kaguyahime” in Montreal! See you soon in Canada!
Kodo Appearance in Ballet Performance “Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess”
Oct. 15 (Thu)–30 (Fri), 2015 Montreal, Canada
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20151015kaguyahime_en.html
“Abundant Autumn” by Tomohiro Mitome
Oct. 1. 2015
Hello everyone. I hope that you are all well.
This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
October has arrived and we are enjoying sunny days with a slight chill in the air. Some decades ago, there was snowy rain in October, but I think that due to global warming in recent years, the fall season on Sado has gotten somewhat longer.
Kodo held numerous performances throughout Japan this September with the “Eternity” and “Interactive Performances” touring from Hokkaido down to Shikoku, our “Special Performances” here on Sado Island, and an array of solo and small ensemble projects, too. Each of our two tours included special projects, collaborations, and workshops, so their days have been filled with all kinds of activities.
I took part in the “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island,” centered around our Distinguished Members. This was the fourth year for this series. For the Autumn concerts, we had a cast of eight featuring veterans, junior members, and Maya Minowa for the first time. We gave seven performances over four days during Silver Week. The venue, Shukunegi Public Hall, was built 57 years ago and renovations have commenced this fall to strengthen it against earthquakes and restore it. We look forward to seeing the finished renewal next spring.
Photo: Damian Siqueiros
Dancers: Jerimy Rivera & Edi Blloshmi
The Interactive Performance team finished their Japan tour at the end of September and have returned to Sado to rehearse for their upcoming ballet collaboration in Montreal, “Kaguyahime.” Kodo also took part in this ballet with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in Canada three years ago.
“Kaguyahime” is a ballet suite by the late Maki Ishii, who also composed Kodo’s signature pieces Monochrome and Dyu-ha. He wrote Kaguyahime for a ballet danced to Western percussion, Japanese court music, and wadaiko. For most of the performance, Kodo performs in the orchestra pit, but there are also some scenes where we perform on stage. The production includes a furious battle scene where the Western percussion and Japanese taiko go head to head.
Here on Sado Island, October is an action-packed month for the Kodo apprentices. On top of their usual training, they will give Interactive Performances at junior high schools on Sado, host live-in workshop Kodo Juku at the Apprentice Centre, and have the valuable experience of harvesting the persimmons, rice, and other crops they have been growing over the past months.
At the end of September, we held information sessions for prospective apprentices in Tokyo and Osaka. Some people know they want to join Kodo on stage, but they are anxious when faced with a two-year apprenticeship and wonder how they will find it training here. Of course, it’s easier to imagine if they visit the Centre before applying, but since it’s difficult for some people to come up to have a look around, we have started holding info sessions in these two main citiess in the last couple of years. Today, our applications opened for the 2016 intake. We look forward to greeting our new applicants as they step forward for this challenge of a lifetime.
In Japan, we say that autumn is the season for performing arts.
We hope to see you all soon at a Kodo performance somewhere.