Posts by Staff
“Iwasaki-den Sado Onikenbai Practise” by Narumi Matsuda
On Saturday March 8, I went to practise for Iwasaki-den Sado Onikenbai (demon sword dance).
It’s cold in the hall in winter, but everyone works up a sweat under Yoshikazu Fujimoto’s instruction. There were a variety of participants today including the new Kodo junior members, some Kodo staff members, and locals including high school students. One of the great things about learning performing arts is that is brings people together who have very different everyday lives.
Iwasaki-den Sado Onikenbai: This group was formed after Yoshikazu Fujimoto was certified by the leader of Iwasaki Onikenbai, the group who upholds this traditional folk art (demon sword dance) in the Iwasaki area of Kitakami City in Iwate Prefecture.
“Taking Part in a Festival for Recovery, ‘Ryori Damashii’” by Michiko Chida
On March 2, Yoshikazu, Yoko and Motofumi were invited to join a festival called “Ryori Damashii” (meaning Ryori Spirit) in the Ryori area of Ofunato City, Iwate. They gave a heartfelt performance as part of our ongoing “Heartbeat Project.” A year ago, we were introduced to this festival’s organizers through our connections with various people concerned with the disaster-affected areas in Tohoku. Each local area has been making an effort to recover, but everything is still a work-in-progress. Three years have passed since the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake and the committee planned this festival to reawaken local love for their hometown. ▶ read more
“Performance at Tokyo Station for Destination Niigata Event” by Shingo Kawamura
On March 16, a special Kodo unit performed on the GranSta stage inside Tokyo Station. The venue was so lively thanks to all the people who came along, so many that they couldn’t all fit into the space to watch!
Destination Niigata Campaign “Kodo Performance” at Tokyo Station
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140316destination_en.html
“Rehearsals for ‘Ryugon x Kodo x Fumiyoshi x Hakkaisan’ Special Event” by Mitsunaga Matsuura
Every year Kodo’s special performance at the traditional Japanese inn Ryugon sells out. This year marks our 5th performance at Ryugon, which they are commemorating with a special event: a collaboration between Kodo and shamisen player Fumiyoshi.
The other day, Fumiyoshi came to Kodo Village to create music with us in preparation for the collaboration.
From our performance at Ryugon in 2013
Won’t you join us for a fabulous night of Kodo (taiko), Fumiyoshi (shamisen), Hakkaisan (sake), and Ryugon (inn and dinner)? A special Kodo unit led by Motofumi Yamaguchi will be waiting there for you!
Kodo Performance at Performance at Traditional Japanese Inn “Ryugon”
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140328ryugon_ja.html
[Kodo Apprentice Centre] “Helping Out with the Tea Ceremony at Aikawa Hinamatsuri Festival” by Michiko Chida
On March 9, there was a Hinamatsuri Tea Ceremony at the historic Sado Magistrate’s Office site in Aikawa. This ceremony was run by students from elementary schools, junior high & high schools on Sado Island, and the 2nd-year Kodo apprentices joined the ceremony for the first time.
The apprentices were so, so nervous to show their tea ceremony etiquette in front of an audience for the first time.
“From Berlin, Germany” by Jun Akimoto
Here is a picture of our sold-out audience at Berliner Philharmonie on March 5.
They say that this concert hall has the best sound in the world and it is mainly used for classical music, so it is a great honor for Kodo to perform regularly at this hall.
“From Munich, Germany” by Jun Akimoto
The “Kodo One Earth Tour: Legend” team are in Germany now.
This is a picture of Philharmonie im Gasteig in Munich with a full house. On both March 3rd and 4th, we welcomed nearly sold-out audiences. Thank you to everyone who came to our performances.
“Kodo Performance at Tokyo Station” by Mitsunaga Matsuura
Kodo will perform at a “DestinationNiigata” event
at Tokyo Station on Sunday, March 16th!
Tsuyoshi Maeda is back on Sado after rehearsals for “FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju.
Without delay, he’s straight into rehearsals for the performance at Tokyo Station.
It’s exciting to think that these pieces will echo throughout Tokyo Station.
Please drop by on Sunday if you’re in the area.
Mar. 16 (Sun), 2014
Destination Niigata Campaign “Kodo Performance” at Tokyo Station (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
Apr. 2 (Wed) – 6 (Sun), 2014
Tsuyoshi Maeda Appearance in “FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju” (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo)
Sado City 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony & Concert
On March 1st, Kodo performed at the Sado City 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony.
It’s been 10 years since all the villages, towns and cities on Sado Island merged into one… There was an exhibition in the venue lobby that took a look at the past 10 years, and it made me think of myself 10 years ago and how I am today.
Sado City 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony Kodo Concert
Cast: Yuiichiro Funabashi, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Eri Uchida., Rai Tateishi, Maya Minowa
Programme: Ugachi, Kiyari, Miyake, O-daiko, Zoku
“Rehearsals for ‘FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju'” by Narumi Matsuda
On February 20, Tsuyoshi Maeda took part in a rehearsal attended by the press for “FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju.” The production will take to the stage from April 2-6 at the Playhouse at the New National Theatre in Tokyo.
The musical director Ryudo Uzaki and artistic director/choreographer/lead performer, Arte y Solera’s Hiroki Sato, led the focused rehearsal from after lunch until 8pm.