Posts by Staff
“Heartbeat Project ‘Island of the Shining Sun’ Live in Ishinomaki” by Mitsunaga Matsuura
Kodo believes in the power of performing arts and supports Tohoku Pacific Earthquake recovery efforts through its “Heartbeat Project.”
On May 16, we will have the chance to perform at Ishinomaki-shi Kahoku Sogo Center, Ishinomaki, Miyagi.
We will play “Island of the Shining Sun,” which was composed as a part of our “Heartbeat Project.” We will continue to bring cheer to audiences with our performances and assist the revival of performing arts in the affected areas, making sure all along that our nationwide and global networks are kept informed on the progress of these activities.
We would like many people to listen to this piece. Please come and hear it live at the venue if you can!
May 16 (Fri), 2014 Kodo Workshop Performance (Ishinomaki, Miyagi)
Kodo Website｜Heartbeat Project
“Shime-daiko Tuning” by Shingo Kawamura
Apr. 30, 2014
The cherry blossoms have begun to fall and the days are getting warmer and warmer. On sunny days, the Kodo members come outside to do their shime-daiko tuning by the lawn in Kodo Village.
Yuta Sumiyoshi (left) pulls the rope and Tetsumi Hanaoka (right) hits the rope
Shime-daiko is a roped taiko with a distinct, high-pitched sound. When you pull the ropes, it stretches the skin of the drum heads on either side. We hit the ropes while they are being pulled, as tight as we can, to make the skin stretch further. By doing this, the sound of the drum becomes higher and higher. The tighter the skin is stretched, the higher the sound gets, so the tuners have to work hard to get a high sound out of the drum.
The domestic Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery is about to begin.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the various theaters around Japan.
“It’s Almost Time for Sanja Matsuri!” by Naomi Iseki
Asakusa in Tokyo is full of tourists during Golden Week, when there is a cluster of Japanese national holidays, and a lot of Japanese flags are hung along the main street, Nakamise-dori.
You can see lanterns everywhere for the festival “Sanja Matsuri,” which will take place really soon. I am very excited!
Lanterns are being put up along the streets around Asakusa Shrine. You can see some lanterns here on the road waiting to be hung.
“Umasa Gisshiri CoCoLo Special Festa” by Shingo Kawamura
On May 4, Kodo appeared at this special event on a special stage at the south exit of Niigata Station. Five members performed, but it felt like a large ensemble concert thanks to the atmosphere created by the warm-hearted Niigata locals filling the audience.
The weather was beautiful and koi-nobori (carp streamers, special decorations for Children’s Day in Japan) were “swimming” happily in the sky. The temperature went above 20℃ on this spring day, so there were some people in short sleeves at the 2pm performance.
Good weather reminds us our summer festival, “Earth Celebration” in August! We hope to see you at Earth Celebration 2014!
Kodo Blog｜Earth Celebration 2014 (Rehearsals, etc.)
We will also perform at Niigata Station on June 15. We hope to see you then!
Kodo Appearances at Niigata Station Events (Niigata City)
“One Earth Tour Heads to Kyushu!” by Narumi Matsuda
On May 6, we boarded a ferry bound for Kyushu. We are used to seeing the Sea of Japan from the Sado ferry, so it was fun to see different seas during this 15-hour journey.
While we were waiting for the ferry, some of us really enjoyed a quiz game. Everyone was somewhat excited so this trip felt different than our usual bus travel!
Kodo Performances in Kyushu!
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Kagoshima May 10 (Sat) Houzan Hall (Kagoshima Prefectural Culture Center) Start: 17:30/ Inquiries: Kagoshima Onkyo Tel. 099-226-3465
Miyazaki May 11 (Sun) Hyuga Bunka Koryu Center Start: 18:00/ Inquiries: Hyuga Bunka Koryu Center Tel. 0982-54-6111
Fukuoka May 13 (Tue) Fukuoka Symphony Hall Start: 18:30/ Inquiries: Picnic Ticket Center Tel. 050-3539-8330
“Shukunegi, the Venue for ‘Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island’” by Michiko Chida
“Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island 2014 – Spring” started on April 27th. Right from the opening performance, we have welcomed so many audience members from around Sado Island and from offshore. Thank you very much for coming!
These performances are being held in Shukunegi. This village has a wonderful atmosphere, so I would like to introduce it further to you.
Shukunegi flourished in the Edo era due to trade by sengoku-bune (large junks/wooden sailing ships) and there about 100 houses in the village, nestled in this small valley. Many of the houses were constructed by shipbuilders and built using their own special techniques to suit the small plots of land. The exteriors are very simple, but the interiors are gorgeous. Some of the houses even feature beautifully laquered pillars, ceilings and beams on the interior.
There is a bamboo fence at the entrance to the village. Stones and three horizontal wooden boards are stacked up at the bottom of it. The bamboo fencing behind is so long and thin. We are allowed to put our poster on this beautiful structure only during this performance period. When you walk through the central gate, it feels like you have wandered into another world.
“Posters in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
The posters you usually see in Asakusa are very unique: thin, narrow and illustrated. They are so creative and lovely. The other day, I found a Kodo poster in between a couple of festival posters when I was out and about.
“Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) in Spring” by Masami Miyazaki
At the Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) in spring the sounds of energetic taiko echo out every day. Today members of “Aoba-kai,” a physical rehabilitation group on Sado Island, visited us at the Centre.
I was glad to see them play taiko and have fun, saying with pleasure that “We thought we wouldn’t be able to play taiko with our bent backs, but we were able to play so much!” Seeing that really made an impression on me.
So, please come to the Takokokan to play taiko, all of you. Taiko gives you a lot of energy!
“Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island” by Shingo Kawamura
T’is the season again for “Kodo Special Performances on Sado Island”!
From April 27 to May 9, join us for the spring series of performances at Shukunegi Community Hall on the Ogi Peninsula, Sado Island. It’s during “Golden Week” (a week filled with public holidays in Japan), so it’s a good time for people living in Japan to visit us on Sado!
These performances are centered around Kodo’s Distinguished Members, joined by junior members and apprentices, who hope to be the future of Kodo. Please come and enjoy their collaboration!
Of course, this popular guy is also waiting for you!
“Come to See Kodo in Asakusa!” by Nobuyuki Nishimura
Come to see Kodo in Asakusa!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto, Taro Nishita and Naomi Iseki
There are always many visitors at Asakusa Engei Hall and at Kaminarimon entrance gate.
Asakusa is in a part of Tokyo called “shitamachi,” which is the traditional shopping, entertainment and residential district of Tokyo. It is an area where the atmosphere of the past decades of Tokyo is still alive and well. We had performances at Asakusa Public Hall last year and we have been given the chance to perform here again this year, too!
A year has passed since I personally became based in Asakusa. I was lucky enough to help carry a mikoshi (portable shrine) during Asakusa’s famous festival, “Sanja Matsuri.” People in Asakusa think about this festival all year long and the whole town sparkles when the time for the festival itself draws near.
Left: Mr. Fuji, President of Asakusa Tourism Association
Right: Vice President Mr. Kawakami with some Kodo members and I in front of his shop (2013)