Welcome to the Kodo Arts Sphere America (KASA) website.

KASA is a nonprofit organization created in 2002 by Kodo and American taiko representatives. Incorporated and operated from its base in California, KASA’s mission is to facilitate intercultural exchanges and communication between Japanese and American taiko players and communities.

Please read the KASA introduction for an overview of our mission.

KASA Tour with Yoko Fujimoto

KASA is pleased to have Kodo's principal singer Yoko Fujimoto for a few performances and workshops. She will be in California and has graciously made some time in her schedule for KASA.

Yoko Fujimoto & Derek Nakamoto – “Our Story”

Saturday, July 17, 2010, 3:00 PM
Japanese American National Museum
369 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 625-0414
Free Admission all day (as part of Target Free Family Saturday)
Information

Travel brings new experiences that shape our perspectives, creating each of our own stories. Join us in a contemporary setting for a concert presenting songs from Yoko’s repertoire with Kodo as well as songs from her CD with Derek, “Morisa Komorisa.” Stories will be shared about how our individual experiences traveling the world have influenced our interpretation of music.

Yoko Fujimoto -- acclaimed singer from the renowned Taiko Ensemble Kodo
Derek Nakamoto -- record producer and keyboardist who has worked with artists such as Michael Bolton & Keiko Matsui.

Maze Daiko Concert
with special guest Yoko Fujimoto

Friday, July 23, 2010, 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 24, 2010, 8:00 PM
Rhythmix Cultural Works
2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Ticket info: (510) 865-5060, Tickets online

The pioneering taiko ensemble Maze Daiko strikes new ground in this special concert blending African instruments with Japanese Taiko as well as other global influences. Mazeru is the Japanese word for "mix" and taiko (daiko) is the Japanese word for "drum". Maze Daiko creates an exhilarating mix of instrumentation and rhythms with the physical elegance and powerful sounds of taiko in their debut of several new compositions. Special guest Yoko Fujimoto, evocative songstress and Kodo's principal vocalist since 1989. Members of Maze Daiko: Janet Koike, Cristine Sato, Elaine Fong, Kathryn Cabunoc, Tina Blaine, Carolyn West.

"Voice Circle Workshop" with Yoko Fujimoto

Thursday, July 29, 2010, 7:00 PM
Rhythmix Cultural Works
2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Ticket info: (510) 865-5060 Sign up online

One of Yoko’s self-proclaimed “life works,” Voice Circle workshops help
participants rediscover song and the power of their own voices. “I really want you to experience what wonderful harmonies can be created simply by letting your voice ring out in its own unique way. Come and share time together where you can simply let your voice soar. Learn to really hear and love the sound of your voice and the voices around you.” - Yoko Fujimoto

2009 KASA Workshop Tour

KASA was honored to have as our workshop leaders Yoko and Yoshikazu Fujimoto from Kodo. From April-May they gave workshops in Seabrook, NJ, New York City, Minneapolis, Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, Denver, San Diego, Irvine, and Los Angeles. They met with many different taiko players, from school children to collegiate players to senior citizens. Workshops covered taiko, odaiko, voice, folk dance and song.

Thank you to all the presenters, taiko communities, and friends all along the way that hosted workshops and opened their homes to Yoko and Yoshikazu and made their stay so memorable. They had a wonderful time!

Read Yoko and Yoshikazu’s article on the workshop tour from the Kodo Beat. (pdf)

Yoshikazu teaching Odaiko.	Yoko teaching voice.

"Morisa Komorisa" Concert with Yoko Fujimoto and Derek Nakamoto

June 6, 2009 was a momentous occasion as it was the first set of concerts by Yoko Fujimoto and Derek Nakamoto of lullabies from their CD together, “Morisa Komorisa.” Presented in collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, with guest musicians Satnam Tamgotra on tabla and percussion and Ryan Cross on cello and bass, it was a beautifully crafted concert. They hope to do more concerts in the future, but in the meantime you can enjoy their CD—see below.

“Morisa Komorisa” is Yoko’s first CD as a soloist and is a collection of traditional Japanese lullabies from the different prefectures in Japan with musical adaptations composed by Derek Nakamoto. The collaboration created a stunning tapestry of music that best described as heartfelt and cinematic; a blend of classical and world music with a touch of ambient and electronica flavors. There are subtle duets between Yoko’s superb vocals and Nakamoto’s piano improvisations.

Get your copy and copies for family and friends at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/yokofujimoto

News 2005-2008

Chieko is modeling the black (short-sleeved) t-shirt with gray writing.

KASA T-Shirts Available in Black, Green and Blue
KASA t-shirts feature our official logo designed by Hideaki Masago, whose work you might recognize from Earth Celebration illustrations. In adult S, M, L, and XL, these KASA tees are only available at KASA workshops or through our webpage as a "thank you" from us for your donation of $30 or more to KASA.

Please use the donation pdf file to make a donation, and indicate t-shirt size on the form. Questions? Ask Donna.