Tag ‘Kodo One Earth Tour’
“The Third Day at Sanja Matsuri” by Naomi Iseki
The Third & Final Day at Sanja Matsuri
The three portable shrines (mikoshi) kept in Asakusa Shrine were carried around the town of Asakusa all day long. I saw one of the shrines, called “Ninomiya.” It was so powerful.
The people of Asakusa really treasure this festival and I am really happy to have experienced it, little by little, as an onlooker for three days.
One of the people taking care of me said, “A festival can not be understood just by watching. You have to join in to understand the real joy of it.” These words left an impression on me.
I can’t wait for Sanja Matsuri again next year.
So, the local festival is now over and soon the Kodo Asakusa performances will begin! Please come and experience Kodo in Asakusa. We hope you will join us here this June!
[June 21-25 Kodo Asakusa Performances]
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
News: Article in Magazine “Geijutsu Shincho”
Article featuring Tamasaburo Bando & Kodo in Magazine “Geijutsu Shincho”
An article featuring our artistic director Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo is featured in the June 2014 issue of “Geijutsu Shincho” (Shinchosha Publishing), coming out on May 24. It is full of pictures and stories about the “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” production. We hope you’ll take a look.
Shinchosha Publishing Website｜http://www.shinchosha.co.jp/geishin/ (in Japanese)
“From ‘Amaterasu’ to ‘Mystery’: Part 4″ by journalist Sachiko Tamashige
From “Amaterasu” to “Mystery”: Part 4
Article by journalist Sachiko Tamashige
“Mystery” directed by Tamasaburo Bando
Tamasaburo Bando,
Artistic Director
The audience may wonder what kind of idea lies behind the production of “Mystery.” To address this, Tamasaburo Bando wrote the following note prior to the opening:
“It’s hard to put into words, but I’m aiming to create a world of mystery. Across Japan, the folk arts have been handed down for countless generations. There’s a sacredness there, an air of mystery within each prayer. The drums express this, and I would like for the audience to feel it, too. I hope theatergoers will experience the same sort of otherworldly splendor that you sense in temples, shrines, and moments of discovery in the forest. I also want people to enjoy darkness: the beauty of something you come across lit by candlelight, a sense that is both vague and marvelous. Peel back the layers surrounding mystery and you find fear, humor, charm, and other varied and significant qualities. In the “Serpent Dances” that have come down from old, the defeated serpent is endowed with a surprising level of sacredness. In this performance, many things will emerge from out of the darkness. While it’s essentially a drum concert, playing as only drums can play, we’ve added plenty of visual interest. A moment of wonder means nothing unless you are actually present to experience it. Religious rituals as well as the arts have been refined over centuries, using inspiration from those who came before us. In this drumming performance, I hope that the audience will enjoy to the fullest that magical sense of space and time.”
“Mystery” introduces new theatrical elements and acting parts to the Kodo stage
Just before the opening, I asked the artistic director Tamasaburo the following question: “What is ‘Mystery’ all about ?”
“Workshop & Mini Live Performance in Kushima City” by Maya Minowa
May 8 Workshop & Mini Live Performance in Kushima, Miyazaki
I am from Kushima City so I know the cultural hall there, Kushima-shi Bunka Kaikan, very well. When I lived here, I never imagined that one day I would appear on this stage as a member of Kodo, so today my dream came true.
For the workshop, we were joined by children from four taiko groups. At first, they looked shy taking part with new people and in front of the audience. But Yosuke led them with his unique talk and passionate taiko sound, and after a while the audience started to laugh and the participants loosened up. They played taiko with all their might, trying hard to create sound together as one.
It was a very meaningful day for me to bring the sound of a Kodo performance to the locals in my hometown.
“The Second Day at Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
The Second Day at Sanja Matsuri
Each portable shrine (mikoshi) was purified at Asakusa Shrine and then carried out into the town of Asakusa.
The costume is different for each district, so the atmosphere is also different.
The local children were doing their best, too!
I came across the portable shrines wherever I went.
It was such an exciting day for the locals carrying the portable shrines, and for spectators like me, too!
“First Night at Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
I also went to see the festival Sanja Matsuri at night on the first day.
The six portable shrines that were in front of Asakusa Public Hall came and went through Kaminarimon Gate.
Here comes a tengu, a long‐nosed goblin! His gold eyes are so striking.
The lanterns on the portable shrines were lit up at night and it was very beautiful.
And there were people, people and more people! The festival is in full swing!
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
[June 21-25 Kodo Asakusa Performances]
“First Day of Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
Six portable shrines lined up in front of Asakusa Public Hall. I was not able to fit them all into one picture to show you, but I can assure you that a still photo wouldn’t do the passion and power justice!
It was my first time to see Senso-ji Temple’s large censer (vessel for burning incense) moved from where it always stands.
Inside Asakusa Shrine, three big portable shrines were waiting for their own turn.
The festival will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so I am getting more and more excited!
Safety first! They’ve prepared the area perfectly!
“Rehearsal Scenes from Kodo One Earth Tour” by Narumi Matsuda
To present performances of the highest quality, we have intense rehearsals at each theater we visit on tour. A lot of advice and directions fly about when we rehearse together.
The performers get ready for the performances by talking about the detailed nuances of sound and movement so that they will be in tune with one another on stage.
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Three Performances in Kyushu” by Narumi Matsuda
We have just had 3 performances in Kyushu: Kagoshima City on May 10, Hyuga in Miyazaki on May 11, and Fukuoka City on May 13. We always enjoy the atmosphere in each town we visit, performing in each unique theater, and meeting the locals. (And, of course, we have to sample the local cuisine!)
Everyday we are either traveling or performing and we are so grateful to meet all the people who welcome us at each place on the road. The tour has just started. We will go to Shikoku next!
Kodo One Earth Tour in Shikoku!
We look forward to seeing you all at the following theaters:
【Kagawa】May 21 (Wed) Sunport Hall Takamatsu, Takamatsu
Start: 18:30/ Inquiries: Okayama Onkyo Tel.086-224-6066
【Ehime】May 23 (Fri) Nanyo Bunka Kaikan, Uwajima
Start:18:30/ Inquiries: Tsushima Taiko Shudan Miyabi Tel. 090-2782-4792 (Mr. Tanaka)
【Ehime】May 24 (Sat) Matsuyama Shimin Kaikan Dai-Hall, Matsuyama
Start:18:00/ Inquiries: EBC Enterprise Tel. 089-933-0322
“Lanterns for Asakusa’s Sanja Matsuri” by Naomi Iseki
May 12, 2014
The other day, I saw a lot of lanterns and imitation flowers on a trolley. In Asakusa, it is probably much easier to go from store to store with a trolley than with a car.
They are put up like this in front of the houses as decorations for the festival.
The festival, Sanja Matsuri, is this weekend! I can’t wait!