Tag ‘Workshop Performances’
“School Workshop Performance in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo” by Kenta Nakagome
Dec. 17, 2014 School Workshop Performance at Yushima Elementary School, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
On this particular day, I was worried about about how the big-city children would react to our performance.
They were more energetic and docile than I had expected, which triggered something within me to play taiko freely and have fun with them.
I have recently started to sense from our audiences’ response that if we drum wholeheartedly and have fun ourselves, then the sound will resonate with people better than any tricky, technical arrangements.
((((Roar))))
School Workshop Performance Photo Gallery
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
School Workshop Performances http://www.kodo.or.jp/koryu/index_en.html
“Workshop Performance Tour Finale in Kunitachi” by Eri Uchida
Kodo Workshop Performance in Kunitachi, Tokyo, on Dec. 20, 2014
We, the “Workshop Performance” tour members, were welcomed by a full-house audience for the finale of our 2014 tour in Kunitachi, Tokyo.
It was the first time for 3 of our 7 cast members to take part in a Kodo School Workshop Performance tour. They were a little nervous during the rehearsals in November, but before we knew it they had become relaxed and at ease performing for the children at each school.
Children are very honest during our performances. If it’s interesting, they do not move at all, but if we lose their attention for even a moment, they start to chat. And when our sound is too loud, they block their ears. After a month of these performances, we can now physically sense the children’s reaction as we play taiko each time.
O-daiko was particularly interesting. Kenta Nakagome is very powerful and in general his taiko playing makes a very big sound, but now when he plays the big drum in front of children, you can hear gentleness in his sound.
We heard the culmination of that change in sound during our tour finale. When the first beat from the big drum echoed out, it made us feel a wonderful warmth resonate from within our bodies.
Through these School Workshop Performances, all seven of us performed face-to-face with children, and also taking a head-on look at both taiko and ourselves. During our final performance, I really felt those challenges that we had faced together.
Photos by Takashi Okamoto
“My Directorial Debut: Kodo Workshop Performances” by Eri Uchida
Thank you very much to everyone who came to see our Workshop Performance in Kyoto on Dec. 7.
Dec. 7 (Sun), 2014 Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza, Kyoto City
It was my first time to direct a Kodo Workshop Performance, so I was really anxious. But the theater staff gave us such great support and we had a wonderful time working with them at Shunjuza. We had rehearsals right up until just before the performance, so it must have been physically and mentally challenging for the cast, but they all did wonderfully on stage!
While we were creating the stage lighting for this performance, I realized that even though I want to try all kinds of things as a director, the main things I want to show are people and sound.
On stage, all of us do our very best as we face the taiko drums, each other, and ourselves, head on.
I hope that this performance also creates a chance for the staff involved and the audience to discover or realize something within themselves.
As the director, I created the programme’s framework, but it is the cast and staff, and the audience, who actually breathe life in to it. I felt that physically as gratitude welled up from within me as the performance came to an end.
When I open up myself to see what others express from a neutral position, I see those expressions react with each other and create a chemical change, and the programme morphs into a world I couldn’t have imagined myself.
I still have a long way to go, but will continue to do my best. I hope you will cheer us on.
I will make the most of what I learned here today, and use it to fuel our School Workshop Performances nationwide!
*These photos from our rehearsals on Sado Island. (Photos: Takashi Okamoto)
▶Kodo School Workshop Performances
Message from the Cast of the December Kodo Workshop Performance Tour
Kodo Workshop Performance Tour
The current Kodo Workshop Performance Tour has a brand new cast and programme!
Here’s a message from first-time programme director Eri Uchida and the cast. They’re looking forward to seeing everyone on their tour for some fun with taiko!
Next Public Performance:
Taiko Experience Corner during a School Workshop Performance
“Looking Back Over 2014” by Tomohiro Mitome
Dec. 1, 2014
Hello, everyone. This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
It’s December now and there is some snow up on top of Sado’s highest peak, Mt. Kimpoku. However, the end of this year is somewhat warmer than usual.
While it may be a little early, I would like to take the time now to look back over this past year for Kodo.
At the beginning of 2014, “Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Legend” set off on its European tour while soloists & small-group projects held performances around Japan.
In spring, we had “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” performances, a “Workshop Performance” tour, and “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island,” as well as various small-group projects, all here in Japan.
In June, we held “Mystery” performances for five days at Asakusa Public Hall in Tokyo. It was our second time to give a series of performances there and once again, it was a great success. This time, we were able to deepen the bond between Kodo and the locals in Asakusa even further. We really appreciate their support.
In July, the School Workshop Performance tour members performed “DADAN” in Europe, which featured new pieces in a power-packed programme. We have been running two separate tours simultaneously for some time now, but this was the first time for us to perform two programmes directed by Tamasaburo Bando at the same time. This experience gave both the Kodo members and staff new-found confidence.
Then in August, we had our summer festival “Earth Celebration” here at home on Sado Island.
On the first night, all 32 Kodo members appeared on the Shiroyama Concert stage together. Ranging from junior members to Distinguished Members, this is the largest Kodo cast to ever take the stage at one time. The number of Kodo performers has been on the rise in recent years, but it is very rare for us to all perform together. The newest members brought their youthful energy, the veteran members brought their well-honed skills, and from the rehearsals to the stage, we all had a great time learning from each other and stimulating each other creatively.
It was wonderful to reaffirm our connection through taiko, regardless of generation. I think the audience must have felt the depth of our 30+ years of history through our performance.
On the second night, we welcomed guest artist “BLUE TOKYO,” a group of highly-trained, physically-honed rhythmic gymnasts.
On the third day, we were joined by guest artist “DAZZLE,” a creative dance ensemble, and former “Blue Hearts” drummer Tetsuya Kajiwara. Through these collaborations, we aimed to create new fusions and forms of expression, beyond any particular genre.
In the fall, we had some cast changes before setting off on two domestic tours: “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” and the “School Workshop Performance” tour. Here at home, we held more “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island,” featuring our veteran members, who also gave performances around Japan as soloists or with small-group projects. Fall marked the final performances in Japan for production “Mystery.” Thank you very much to everyone who came along to see it! Next, this production will tour around North America in 2015.
In November, the members regrouped to rehearse for two new productions: “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity” and a newly-directed “School Workshop Performance” tour. On Nov. 20, “Eternity” had its premiere performance on Sado Island.
All of the pieces featured in this production are brand new and a high-level of performance technique and expression is required of the entire cast. Audiences will surely feel first-hand the brand new step than Kodo has taken in stage expression through this programme.
Both of our year-end tours will last for a month. When we are at a theater near you, please come along to see us! We look forward to sharing our new programmes with you all.
I’m sure this is a busy time of year for you, too, but I hope that you can take some time to relax and enjoy ending your year with us and the sound of our taiko.
“Making Sasara Together” by Kenta Nakagome
Before we set off on tour, the Workshop Performance cast worked together to make sasara (split bamboo rods) for a traditional deer dance called Shishi Odori, which is featured in LION on the upcoming tour. It took us two weeks to complete them, working between rehearsals and at night, too.
Left: The finished sasara. Right: We cut down bamboo, cut each length to size, split each rod into whisk-like slats, and took off the nodes.
Then we filed the bamboo and pasted pieces of Japanese paper on to them to complete them!
We are now using these props to perform “LION,” for the first time in ages on tour! We hope everyone will enjoy it!
Please come along to see one of our public performances listed below.
Kodo | Workshop Performances
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141200koryu_en.html
“Bon Voyage, Workshop Performance Tour!” by Maya Minowa
The Kodo Workshop Performance tour, directed by performer Eri Uchida, left Kodo Village ahead of the One Earth Tour members. We played taiko as we saw them off, without giving in to the rain.
Bon voyage! All the best with your month-long tour as you share the sound of taiko with children around Japan!
Kodo School Workshop Performances
http://www.kodo.or.jp/koryu/index_en.html
Workshop Performance Schedules
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141200koryu_en.html
- Dec. 7 (Sun), 2014 Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza, Kyoto City
- Dec. 20 (Sat), 2014 Kunitachi Geijutsu Sho-Hall, Kunitachi, Tokyo
▼Check out this video about the upcoming performance at Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza, which includes a message from Kenta Nakagome.
▼Watch on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWtN5r5BQKo&feature=youtu.be
December Japan Performance Tickets Now on Sale!
Thank you very much to everyone who watched our recent Japanese television appearances: Nippon TV’s “Kokoro Yusabure! Sempai ROCK YOU” and tvk’s “Kodo Eien no Hibiki.”
Featured Kodo Members: Masayuki Sakamoto, Yosuke Oda, Eri Uchida, Maya Minowa, Kosuke Urushikubo, Jun Jidai
Now, please come to see us soon at the live Kodo live performances listed below!
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Eternity
We are proud to present the third work directed by artistic director Tamasaburo Bando: an evolutionary performance entitled “Eternity.” This production premiered on Sado Island on Nov. 20 and is currently on tour around the major cities in Japan.
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141120oet_en.html
[Upcoming Tour Schedule]
Dec. 2 (Tue) Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Dec. 4 (Thu) Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall, Nagoya, Aichi
Dec. 6 (Sat) & 7 (Sun) NHK Osaka Hall, Osaka City
Dec. 10 (Wed) Okayama Civic Hall, Okayama City
Dec. 12 (Fri) Ueno Gakuen Hall, Hiroshima City
Dec. 15 (Mon) & 16 (Tue) Hakataza Theater, Fukuoka City
Dec. 19 (Fri)–23 (Tue/Public Hol.) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
Dec. 25 (Thu) Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata City
Kodo Workshop Peformances
Enjoy watching, playing and listening to taiko at our “Workshop Performances.” These concerts are fun for the whole family, from youngsters to senior citizens. ▶Schedule & Box Office Details
Dec. 7 (Sun), 2014Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza, Kyoto City
Dec. 20 (Sat), 2014 Kunitachi Geijutsu Sho-Hall, Kunitachi, Tokyo
Solo/Small-Group Projects in Tokyo
Dec. 18 (Thu), 2014 Yoko Fujimoto & Motofumi Yamaguchi Appearance at “3 Days with Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo: Gin-iro no Kaze (Silver Wind) Song & Bamboo Flute Concert” (Kunitachi, Tokyo)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141218kodo3days_en.html
*Kosuke Urushikubo will appear as a guest performer.
We look forward to seeing you all around Japan this month!
Inquiries: Kodo Office Tel. +81-(0)259-86-3630 Email: heartbeat@kodo.or.jp
“Kodo Workshop Performance at Kyoto’s Shunjuza” by Kenta Nakagome
During our tour, I made a detour to Kyoto to do some publicity for the upcoming Kodo Workshop Performance with the staff from our host venue, Shunjuza at Kyoto University of Art and Design.
Some members of the Kodo group are alumni of this university. I met the theater staff and felt their passion towards our performance. We have a special connection to this venue, which makes me very happy to perform there.
Please come along to watch the special Shunjuza version of our performance!
Dec. 7 (Sun), 2014 Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza, Kyoto City
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141207koryu_en.html
Kyoto Performing Arts Center Shunjuza Official Website (In Japanese)
http://www.k-pac.org/performance/20141207.html
“‘Team Uchida’ Prepares for the Next Workshop Performance Tour” by Kenta Nakagome
Rehearsals for the new-look “Workshop Performances,” on the road from late November, have just started. This programme is directed by Eri Uchida and performed by a newly assembled cast. It has a whole new feel, too!
I will play the o-daiko (big drum) on this tour. I am already so excited!
Now that I have gained stage and performing experience, I feel like I can do a variety of things, but when I approach the o-daiko, I want to forget everything and feel brand new each time. As I beat the drum, I just let myself go rather than trying to express myself.
I asked Yoshikazu, “How can you play the o-daiko just by improvisation, without deciding any of the phrases you will play?” and he replied, “I go into the sound that I create.” His words really stayed with me. Now, I play as I feel, encouraged by my own sound. Since he said that to me, I find that the more I play the o-daiko, the more I feel like I can get into the sound and the taiko itself.
The reverberations from the taiko wash over me as I drum and evoke all kinds of feelings, which I want to experience fully, one by one.
Kodo | Workshop Performances
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20141200koryu_en.html