Tag ‘Yui Kawamoto’
“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
“San Jose Obon Festival” by Yui Kawamoto
San Jose Obon Festival
Greetings from San Jose, California!
Yoko Fujimoto and I attended one of the nation’s largest obon festivals this weekend. The obon culture in the United States is a little different, as many take place on various weekends and different locations throughout early summer.
Let me tell you a little about the one that we attended: San Jose Obon.
Obon: an annual Buddhist event to commemorate one's ancestors
San Jose Obon is famous for hosting great taiko performances by Californian collegiate groups and San Jose Taiko!
San Jose Taiko was established before Kodo was founded, and our groups have been great friends since the very beginning. They have supported Kodo in many ways over the years, including the storage of some of our touring equipment in their studio!
Taiko performances, food, and games are enjoyed by friends and family throughout the entire Obon weekend.
At the end of each night many people gather for…..
Obon dancing!
Here at San Jose Obon, over 1,000 people gather and dance to live music played by the Chidori Band and San Jose Taiko.
One of the dance pieces is called Ei Ja Nai Ka.
The taiko music was composed by PJ Hirabayashi from San Jose Taiko and the melody and lyrics that were written by Kodo’s Yoko Fujimoto.
This is a popular dance piece that has been enjoyed for many years, mainly by the Northern Californian communities, and it was truly wonderful to hear Yoko’s voice accompanying it live this year!
This piece will actually make its debut at a further 18 new obon festivals this summer, so if you are in the United States this summer, make sure to check out an obon festival near you! You might even hear Yoko’s vocals…
“‘Mystery’ Performances in New York” by Yui Kawamoto
“Mystery” Performances in New York
We had our first appearance in New York for the first time in 4 years. This time, we had the privilege to perform at America’s longest running performing arts theater, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in Brooklyn, New York. It was our first time at BAM, but our three performances turned out to a great success!
Our last performance was sold out, with a line waiting for cancellation tickets outside the theater. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to see our production, “Mystery,” and the reactions from the audience were unforgettable. All three performances received a grand standing ovation, and the cheers and the applause felt like they were never-ending.
One of the performing arts capital of the world; New York. We’ll be back again soon!
For the North America tour, Namahage featured colorful Kodo hanten costumes.
（Photos: Julieta Cervantes）
Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
http://www.bam.org/programs
Articles about “Mystery” 2015
Huffington Post | Standing Ovation for ‘KODO’ at BAM
Green Global Travel | INTERVIEW: Kodo, Japan’s Legendary Taiko Drummers
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” North America Tour
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150127oet_en.html
[Purchase on CD]
Kodo Online Store | Mystery [CD]
[Purchase Download Version]
“We’re in Texas!” by Yui Kawamoto
Feb. 19, 2015
We are now in Austin, Texas, on the “Mystery” North America Tour.
We will perform at the Paramount Theatre tonight. When we arrived backstage, we found autographs by the Kodo members who came here on tour in 2007!
Takeshi Arai and Masayuki Sakamoto were on that tour 8 years ago and they told us all kinds of stories from 2007, reliving their memories as they looked at each name on the wall.
We still have many more performances to go on our current tour throughout the USA and Canada!
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” North America Tour
http://www.kodo.or.jp/oet/index_en.html#schedule13a
“The 2015 North America Tour Begins!” by Yui Kawamoto
On Jan. 26, the One Earth Tour members arrived safely in North America!
Today, we unpacked our cargo at the first performance venue in Bellingham, Washington.
It’s a cute theater in a small town.
Tomorrow is our opening night!
We look forward to seeing you all at Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre.
Jan.–Mar. 2015 “Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” North America Tour
http://www.kodo.or.jp/oet/index_en.html#schedule13a
“Eiichi Saito’s Workshop” by Yui Kawamoto
July 23, 2014
Eiichi Saito’s 3-Day Intensive Workshop
Following Chieko Kojima’s workshop, Eiichi Saito’s 3-Day Intensive Workshop was held at the Los Angeles Taiko Institute (LATI) housed at Asano Taiko US this week.
We had participants from all over the world (i.e. Australia, Belgium, Spain, etc…) thanks to the World Taiko Gathering that was held last weekend.
Under the theme of “Hard Work and Hard Play,” the 20 participants put their hearts and souls together for 3 full days of playing taiko.
“2014 World Taiko Gathering” by Yui Kawamoto
July 18 – 20 Chieko Kojima & Eiichi Saito at
“2014 World Taiko Gathering” (Los Angeles, USA)
This past weekend, we participated in the World Taiko Gathering held in Little Tokyo of Los Angeles.
Left: At the Welcome Reception on the first day. Over 300 particpants enjoy a meal and jam session together.
Right: Presentation about Kodo & Sado Island.
Taiko players from all over the world came together on this wonderful event, and the diversity of bachi bag holders walking around town was a heart-warming sight!
Outdoor events were held day to night; wonderful workshops, informative discussion sessions, and exciting performances created a festive atmosphere.
Left: Eiichi Saito leads a beginner’s taiko workshop
Right: Chieko Kojima leads a dance workshop
“Chieko’s 3-Day Intensive Workshop has Finished!” by Yui Kawamoto
The Los Angeles Taiko Institute (LATI), housed at Asano Taiko U.S., hosted a 3-day intensive workshop led by Chieko Kojima.
Participants were from all over North America including Seattle, Sacramento, Boston, Calgary, Montreal, etc.. Not only did they gain experience in playing Hana Hachijo, but I believe they gained many new friendships within the taiko community.
Thank you Yuta Kato, principal at LATI, for being the assistant/interpreter! And thank you, participants! We hope to see you again somewhere!
Chieko Kojiima, Eiichi Saito “LATI 3-Day Intensive Workshops”
“Rehearsals for ‘TAIKO NATION 2014′” by Yui Kawamoto
This weekend, taiko enthusiasts from all over the world come together in Los Angeles, California, for the World Taiko Gathering.
The Taiko Nation concert is just one of the many exciting events that will be held there, as it features taiko players from several different countries.
Chieko Kojima and Eiichi Saito will participate in this event from Kodo.
On this day, Chieko joined TAIKOPROJECT for their rehearsal on a collaboration piece.
We are all very excited to see how this piece will turn out at the performance!
“The ‘DADAN’ Members Set Off for Europe!” by Yui Kawamoto
“DADAN” has departed Sado this morning!
First stop is Spain. Let’s hype up the crowd in this passionate country!
Adiós, and have a safe trip!
The members leave Kodo Village. The junior members say “See you!” to the head of the Kodo Apprentice Centre, Yasuhiko Ishihara.
Kodo “DADAN” Spain & France Performances
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140709dadan_en.html
