Farewell Message from Yosuke Oda

Thank you for your continued support of Kodo.

I, Yosuke Oda, am going to parts ways with Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble on Sep. 26 this year. It’s been almost twenty years since I first came to Sado Island and I have become who I am today thanks to all your love and support. I am such a fortunate person.

 

 

Looking back, my days of training were enjoyable. I encountered wonderful mentors and gained great colleagues with whom I shared daily rehearsals and performances. I was surrounded by the best staff that did their very best to support us as performers. Furthermore, I was able to meet all of you, our audience, on my travels with Kodo.

Sometimes my body hurt so much that I thought I might be injured, but any pain I felt would strangely vanish when I stepped out on stage. Your warm applause really took away my pain and taught me something that I will never forget: people can make other people feel better. Everything everyone taught me is something that I treasure now. It’s a valuable asset.

I will take that asset with me as I move on to the next stage of my life. I think my path will be harder than ever before, but I will use what I gained during my time with Kodo as the foundation for my next steps. I will devote myself to breaking new ground. I sincerely ask for your continued support.

I also ask that you continue to support Kodo, who raised me like a son, and my dear colleagues of all ages whom I worked alongside.

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for supporting me as I learned and grew over the past two decades, and to Kodo for warmly sending me off after all these years. Thank you very much.
I will make my last appearances as a Kodo member at “Earth Celebration 2017” in August and on tour with the “Kodo Interactive & School Workshop Performances” in September. Of course, I’ll drum with all my might!

Yosuke Oda (Aug. 9, 2017)