Tag ‘Workshop’
“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.
“My Onna-uchi (Women’s Style Taiko) Workshop: Winter” by Chieko Kojima
Jan. 26, 2014
Spring, summer, fall and winter… the seeds I brought from Sado Island from the four seasons have bloomed in the taiko playing of each participant.
For the workshops at Taiko no Sato Kyowakan, we had introductory sessions and step-up sessions so everyone could take the time to master “Hana Hachijo.” The goal was “to elegantly play taiko in a kimono.”
We had the final day of the year’s workshops today. Women in their kimono faced the taiko with pure courage, and I was in “full bloom” with joy like a bouquet of colorful flowers.
Takahito Nishino joined me as an assistant for the workshops.
Instead of certificates, I made sashes and gave them to the
graduates, which they can use to tuck back the sleeves of their kimono.
All of them told me that they want to continue with this taiko style, and I am all for it! “Hana Hachijo” means “Flower Hachijo,” so let’s make lots of Hachijo flowers bloom together!
