“Our Berlin Performance on Feb. 26” by Maya Minowa

Photo: Maya Minowa

Berlin, Germany.
The very place where Kodo made its debut 37 years ago.

Photo: Maya Minowa

Photo: Maya Minowa
That’s why Berlin is a very special place for Kodo.
On our 2018 tour, we were invited to give a performance at Berliner Philharmonie.

Photo: Maya Minowa

This hall boasts some of the world’s best acoustics. Even the sound of Japanese drums (wadaiko) resonates well here, very clearly and true to life. Good sound reached us no matter where we sat in the hall.

Photo: Maya Minowa

37 years ago, when the members of Sado no Kuni Ondekoza shifted directions and became Kodo, I wonder how they felt when they played taiko when they debuted here in Berlin.
That time of change must have been a more distressing time for those members than I could ever imagine.

From those new beginnings, Kodo’s performances have continued to evolve for decades.

I want the spirit when we face the drums, our spirit of resonance with the drums, to never change. I want to continue sharing that sound with people all over the world.

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

“Kodo One Earth Tour 2018: Evolution” Europe Tour