“‘Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery’ in Tomakomai” by Narumi Matsuda
On September 20, we had a performance in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Most of the seats were not allocated, so many people queued for a long time before the doors opened to get the best seats. I could feel their excitement to see the performance by looking at that long queue. It made me happy!
There was a long line right around the theater. No matter how busy I am, at concerts with free seating I always pop out to see the enthusiastic queue.
“Mirai no Gakko Presentation” by Masami Miyazaki
Presenting “Mirai no Gakko”(School of the Future),
A New Company Training Program
by Cornell University and Kodo Cultural Foundation
Aoyama, Tokyo on September 12
When you hear “School of the Future,” you may imagine a modern, high tech school. But this project aims to give new purpose to the Fukaura Schoolhouse on Sado, a recently closed-down elementary and junior high school. Mirai no Gakko (School of the Future) is produced by Yasuhiro Karakawa, Senior Manager of Market Creation Strategies – Asia at the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University. He is a member of the team at ifs Future Laboratory and planned a research trip last summer to the Fukaura Schoolhouse, which tied in to his annual research theme, “Inconvenient, yet comfortable.” It was a two-day/three-night program for Mr. Karakawa’s acquaintances (who he describes as an interesting bunch) and we, Kodo, offered them a taiko workshop to suit the program.
At the presentation, Mr. Karakawa briefly introduced this project and some of the summer participants’ impressions on it. To let the audience experience non-verbal communication, I brought a taiko drum along to show them how fun it feels to make one unified sound all together. The sound of taiko made all of them smile, even the serious-looking businessmen in suits. This project gives people the opportunity to come to Sado, play taiko, and through that, they can open up, free their minds, discuss and start to solve a range of issues, for example job or future-related concerns. We, the Kodo Cultural Foundation, highly recommend it!
Photo: Amazon Kajiyama
Kodo Blog | “’Mirai no Gakko’ Presentation on Sep. 12″ by Hirofumi Uenoyama
“‘Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery’ Sapporo Performance” by Narumi Matsuda
On Sep. 19, we performed at Sapporo Shimin Hall, which is near famous landmarks such as Sapporo Clock Tower and Sapporo TV Tower. It’s been 3 years since both Kodo and I were last in Hokkaido. Last time, I was still inexperienced as a “One Earth Tour” manager, so I didn’t have any free time to venture out and ended up staying inside the hall all day long. This time, there are many new members, which makes me their senior. For junior member Shunichiro, this is his first ever “One Earth Tour.”
We were greeted by a large audience in Sapporo! The fall tour of “Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” is off to an energetic start.
“Coming Soon: ‘Mystery’ in Fukushima!” by Shogo Komatsuzaki
(Left) Appearance on “Fukushima Super J Channel” (Fukushima Broadcasting)
(Right) Live appearance on DATE FM’s “Crescendo”
Yuta, Kosuke and I appeared on DATE FM’s “Crescendo,” “Fukushima Super J Channel” (Fukushima Broadcasting), and Fukushima FM’s “Iwaki Alios Art Juke Box” to publicize our “Mystery” performances in Iwaki, Fukushima, on Oct. 4 and in Sendai, Miyagi, on Oct. 7.
Iwaki is my hometown. This will be my first time to perform there. I will do my best to make the Iwaki locals feel much closer to Kodo. I hope many people will come.
We will be on Fukushima FM radio at around 6:05 pm on Oct. 3. (Time/date subject to change. Interview in Japanese, naturally.)
Fukushima FM Radio’s “Iwaki Alios Art Juke Box”
“My Monochrome Debut” by Kengo Watanabe
Sep. 19 Kodo Special Ensemble Performance at Maestro Trip Around Chiba Vol. 4: Japanese Traditional Taiko
Eight of us appeared in a “Kodo Special Ensemble Performance” in Chiba. Part One was a talk by Eiichi Saito about Monochrome, a piece by modern music maestro Maki Ishii (d. 2003) composed for Japanese taiko drums that is renowned as an iconic feature of the Kodo repertoire. Part Two was a mini concert by Kodo.
It was my very first time to perform Monochrome for an audience.
I still have a lot to learn, but I was so happy to play this piece with some of Kodo’s veteran members.
Sep. 19 (Fri), 2014 Chiba City Wakaba Culture Hall, Chiba City
“Kodo Special Ensemble Performance at Maestro Trip Around Chiba Vol. 4: Japanese Traditional Taiko”
“Learning Shishi Odori” by Kenta Nakagome
Learning Kanatsu-ryu Yanagawa Shishi Odori in Iwate
From September 5 through 8, seven Kodo performers (Masaru, Eri, Yuta, Tetsumi, Ryosuke, Naoya and I) went to Esashi in Iwate to learn Kanatsu-ryu Yanagawa Shishi Odori (deer dance) from the locals who uphold this traditional performing art.
(Left) We learned how to make sasara (bamboo props)
(Right) Masaru was allowed to dance with them in costume
The locals taught us in a very strict yet warm manner and conveyed to us their strong, passionate feelings towards their dance. Our connection with them has lasted since the days of our antecedent group Sado no Kuni Ondekoza. We will continue to treasure this relationship and dance this dance with dedication in the years to come, too.
Thank you Kanatsu-ryu Yanagawa Shishi Odori members!
(Photos: Kenta Nakagome)
“Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2014: Autumn” Cast Video Message
Here is a video message from the cast of “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2014: Autumn” (in Japanese).
They are saying that they are going to do their best and they look forward to seeing you all there!
Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2014: Autumn
Oct. 2 (Thu)–Oct. 5 (Sun), 2014
Shukunegi Community Hall, Ogi Peninsula, Sado Island, Niigata
Appearing: Kodo (Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Motofumi Yamaguchi, Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Ryosuke Inada)
Special Appearance: Yoshie Abe
Start Times:
Oct. 2 (Thu) 15:00
Oct. 3 (Fri) 15:00
Oct. 4 (Sat) 11:00, 15:00
Oct. 5 (Sun) 11:00, 15:00
Ticket Orders: Kodo Ticket Service Tel. 0259-86-2330 (Mon.–Fri., 9:30–17:00), Email: ticket@kodo.or.jp
Inquiries: Kodo Cultural Foundation Tel. 0259-81-4100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:30 – 17:00)
Kodo Website: Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2014: Autumn
“Setting off on Tour” by Jun Jidai
We loaded our suitcases onto the bus and set off on the fall “Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Japan tour, farewelled by the sound of taiko.
Since last December, we have been touring all over Japan with this production, making an array of adjustments to refine the “Mystery” programme more and more. This will be the last “Mystery” tour in Japan. I wonder what encounters await me on this tour. I am so excited!
First stop is Hokkaido! I’m looking forward to the local food up there!
See you all at one of the theaters on this tour!
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Sep.-Oct. Japan Tour
“Cast No Dirt in the Well that Gives You Water” by Tetsumi Hanaoka
We cleaned our dormitory at Kodo Village just before we set off on tour!
As the saying goes, “Cast no dirt in the well that gives you water”: We will be away for one and half months, so we all worked together to leave our place clean and tidy. Now, we all feel refreshed, too! We will do our very best to present great performances for our audiences. So, please, please come along to see “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery”!
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Sep.–Oct. Japan Tour
“Rehearsals for New Production ‘Eternity'” by Yosuke Kusa
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity” Rehearsals
Rehearsals have been going well for our new production, “Eternity,” which premieres at the end of this year.
The sun rises, the wind blows, rain falls, and the stars appear in the still of night.
Since ancient times, nature has created repetitive patterns that this production will express on stage, through the sensibilities of Tamasaburo Bando and our own senses gained through life on Sado Island.
“Eternity” debuts on Sado Island on Nov. 20 and will tour throughout Japan. We look forward to sharing it with you all!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity”
Nov. 20 (Thu) Amusement Sado, Sado Is., Niigata
Nov. 30 (Sun) City Hall Plaza “Aore Nagaoka,” Nagaoka, Niigata
–”Heartbeat Project” Special Version–
Dec. 2 (Tue) Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Dec. 4 (Thu) Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall, Nagoya, Aichi
Dec. 6 (Sat) & 7 (Sun) NHK Osaka Hall, Osaka City
Dec. 10 (Wed) Okayama Civic Hall, Okayama City
Dec. 12 (Fri) Ueno Gakuen Hall, Hiroshima City
Dec. 15 (Mon) & 16 (Tue) Hakataza Theater, Fukuoka City
Dec. 19 (Fri)–23 (Tue/Public Hol.) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
Dec. 25 (Thu) Niigata Prefectural Civic Center, Niigata City
