Posts by Staff
“KASA MIX 2016” by Yui Kawamoto
KASA MIX 2016
Rumored to be “life-changing,” this biennial program called KASA MIX is an intensive program designed for taiko players from outside of Japan.
With the current growth of the international taiko culture and community, the KASA MIX participants have gathered from countries all over the world such as United States, Canada, England, Argentina.
When they arrived on Sado, the KASA MIX participants joined our apprentices in their unique lifestyle at the Kodo Apprentice Centre.
They participated in every aspect, from the early morning workout to eating meals, cleaning, and taking baths together.
They took a variety of different workshops from our veteran Kodo performing members, and experienced the great seasonal nature of Sado.
Timing worked out perfectly to observe one of the practices of ondeko (demon drumming) in the Iwakubi community, and had the opportunity to learn an ondeko dance themselves, from the Kasuga community in the latter half of their stay.
And of course, they enjoyed everything else that this island has to offer.
Gathering from all over the world, the participants were able to share with us some taiko stories from their country or area.
The different reasons, history, spirit and culture that each person had shared with us have opened up a bigger world for our young apprentices who had no knowledge on the taiko culture outside of Japan.
As they discovered their new findings of taiko in the world, it looked to me that they found another reason to strive to become a Kodo performing member.
KASA MIX has come to an end once again with very warm and heart-filling memories through this short time we had together on Sado island.
As one of the staff members for this program, I was very moved by the unification we have created through taiko, which brought a sense of nostalgic comfort to my heart.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year! We look forward to seeing you again somewhere in this world.
Next one is coming up again in two years! To all taiko enthusiasts all over the world, we look forward to having you here on Sado for our next KASA MIX!
“Last Chance to Apply for ‘Kodo Juku 2016’!” by Michiko Chida
Last Chance to Apply for “Kodo Juku 2016”
This year we will hold Eiichi Saito’s annual live-in taiko workshop “Kodo Juku” from Oct. 7 (Fri) through 10 (Mon/Public Hol.) at the Kodo Apprentice Centre on Sado Island. Eiichi Saito took over the reigns to facilitate Kodo Juku in 1992 and back then we held Kodo Juku 4 times a year. For some time now, we have held it just once a year but one thing that has barely changed is the content. Each year the participants tell us how the simple taiko drum led them to find new connections between their own body and soul and helped them to create wonderful new bonds with people they had only just met at the workshop.
Everyone is welcome at Kodo Juku, whether you’ve played taiko before or not. First-timers will discover the special power of taiko and experienced players will discover many hints to playing taiko that truly moves people. The only condition is that you’ve never been to Eiichi Saito’s Kodo Juku before, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime workshop with no repeaters or groups of 2 or more.
The application deadline is July 30, so don’t delay! We look forward to receiving your application soon and welcoming you to Sado Island for Kodo Juku this autumn.
Eiichi Saito says “Join me for Kodo Juku on Sado Island!”
Early morning stretch time at Kodo Juku 2015
Jogging in the morning with the apprentices
Eat, sleep, and play taiko!
Workshops are held in the Kodo Apprentice Centre gym, where the apprentices spend two years training in hopes of one day performing on stage with Kodo.
Preparations for each Kodo Juku begin 8 months prior with a lot of enthusiasm!
The second year apprentices act as staff during Kodo Juku each year, learning valuable skills as they host the participants. Eiichi and the apprentices can’t wait to welcome everyone to Kodo Juku this fall!
Kodo Juku: Eiichi Saito’s Taiko Workshop
Oct. 7 (Fri)–10 (Mon/Public Hol.), 2016 Kodo Apprentice Centre, Kakinoura, Sado Island, Niigata
Details for Kodo Juku 2016
http://www.kodo.or.jp/ws/juku_eiichi_en.html
“Rehearsal for ‘Matsurine'” by Narumi Matsuda
June 24, 2016
Rehearsal for “Matsurine”
Yesterday Kodo rehearsed with Miyake-jima Geino Doshikai for the “Matsurine” collaboration today. This concert is jam-packed with “Miyake Taiko” and I am pleased to say it’s already sold out. I am looking forward to the energy that will be created by this powerful performance with a full-house audience.
Kodo Appearance at Nagaoka Lyric Hall 20th Anniversary Concert “Matsurine 2016”
“A Wonderful Sight in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
Last week Asakusa in Tokyo held its annual festival, Sanja Matsuri. This week the area is back to normal… which for Asakusa means bustling with tourists!
From the day after the festival, I was greeted by this wonderful sight all along the main street through Asakusa, Kaminarimon-dori.
A big thank you to the Asakusa Shopping Street Promotion Association for these banners! We are always so happy to receive such great support from the people of Asakusa.
Kodo can feel this warm circle of support growing every year.
This year, we will present a brand new production in Asakusa called “Spirited Summer,” which will be performed exclusively here. I really hope many people will join us in Asakusa for these performances in July. Of course, we hope you’ll make a day of it and have a great time visiting Asakusa.
▼ [Don’t Miss Out! Last Tickets Now on Sale!] Kodo Special Performance in Asakusa “Spirited Summer”
July 1 (Fri)–3 (Sun), 2016 Asakusa Public Hall, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Start:
July 1 (Fri) 15:00
July 2 (Sat) 11:00 / 15:00 (2 performances)
July 3 (Sun) 11:00 / 15:00 (2 performances)
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20160701asakusa_en.html
Ticket Outlets:
- Ticket Space Tel. 3234-9999 https://ticketspace.jp/top
- Asakusa Public Hall Tel. 03-3844-7491
- Ticket Pia Tel. 0570-02-9999 [P-code: 286-894] http://pia.jp/
- e-plus http://eplus.jp/
- Lawson Ticket Tel. 0570-000-407 (Operator 10:00–20:00) or Tel. 0570-084-003 [L-code: 34284] http://l-tike.com/
“Kodo Apprentice Centre Welcomes the 35th Intake Class” by Michiko Chida
Apr. 9, 2016
Kodo Apprentice Centre Welcomes the 35th Intake Class
On Apr. 4, the new first-year apprentices arrived on Sado Island. This year we welcomed ten new apprentices from Japan (Niigata, Nagano, Tokyo, Kagawa, Okinawa), the USA, and Norway.
The 35th Intake class meets at the bus stop in Kakinoura
On their first day on Sado, each year our new apprentices meet at the bus stop in Kakinoura and walk the 1.2 km up the mountain road to the Apprentice Centre. As they climb the hill, step by step, they have time to think about their family and friends back home who sent them off with messages of support, and to think about their own reasons for coming here. From the next day, this route will be a slope that they run up on their daily training for the next two years.
Welcome performance by the second-year apprentices
The new apprentices greet the members of Kodo, Kodo Cultural Foundation, president of Kitamaesen Co., Ltd., and their instructors at the Entrance Ceremony.
Two days later, the new apprentices all nervously introduced themselves to all the Kodo members and staff at Kodo Village. Then everyone got straight into a forest working bee together and the new apprentices all received warm words of welcome and encouragement from the whole Kodo group.
Today is their fifth day at the Centre and as they encounter new things everyday, I can already see they are off to a good start working as a team. I hope that each one of them keeps in mind all the people who are cheering them on as they strive towards their goals, and that they remember how happy they were to be selected to come here. I hope they will tackle their apprentice lifestyle with all their might and that each and every one of the new apprentices broadens their horizons and possibilities during the course of the year ahead.
Kodo Apprentice Centre
http://www.kodo.or.jp/apprentice/index_en.html
“‘Mystery” Europe Tour Finale!” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro
“Mystery” Europe Tour Finale!
On March 29 our “Mystery” Europe Tour, which began at the end of January, had its grand finale in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The last performance was attended by around 3000 people, which was the largest audience on this tour. Thanks to their energy, our tour ended on such a high note.
It was a wonderful atmosphere for the final performance for performers Mariko Omi and Tetsumi Hanaoka. I was so happy that their last time on the Kodo stage was so memorable.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to see “Mystery” at theaters across the ten countries we visited over the past two months. We look forward to seeing you in Europe again in two years time!
The “Mystery” cast and crew safely arrived back in Japan on Mar. 31st
Mio Teycheney-Takashiro, Kodo International Tour Manager
Jan.–Mar. 2016 “Kodo One Earth Tour 2016: Mystery” Europe Tour
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Russia
“A Birthday Celebration at Berliner Philharmonie” by Akiko Umegaki
A Birthday Celebration at Berliner Philharmonie
On March 15, we gave a performance at Berliner Philharmonie in Germany, which is home to one of Europe’s leading orchestras, Berlin Philharmonic.
The theater is pentagonal and the concert hall is a sphere-like realm where the stage and audience areas feel connected. The stage is surrounded 360 degrees by seating so people watched our performance from unique angles that are rarely possible at other halls.
March 15 is cast member Eri Uchida’s birthday, so we celebrated her special day before the performance!
Lovely Eri continues to develop as a performer all the time, so be sure to keep an eye on her!
Akiko Umegaki, Kodo “Mystery” Tour Manager
Jan.–Mar. 2016 “Kodo One Earth Tour 2016: Mystery” Europe Tour
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Russia
“Kodo’s Live Appearance on a Nationwide Brazilian TV Program!” by Yui Kawamoto
Mar. 9, 2016
Kodo’s Live Appearance on a Nationwide Brazilian TV Program!
Kodo appeared on a live national Brazilian TV program called “Entontro com Fátima Bernandes” today before noon.
Fátima and all other guests on the show were great. At the end of the program, taiko was an amazing way to communicate without any language barrier. Please have a look at the program online!
http://gshow.globo.com/programas/encontro-com-fatima-bernardes/videos/t/para-assinantes/v/encontro-com-fatima-bernardes-programa-de-quarta-feira-09032016-na-integra/4870619/ (Program begins after advertisement)
Approx. timing of Kodo appearances: 1:00–1:45 / 29:30–33:30 / 51:30–end.
Our performances in Brazil are getting very close!
March 2016 Kodo “DADAN 2016″ Brazil Tour
“We’re Off to South America for the First Time in 8 Years” by Yui Kawamoto
The last time Kodo toured in South America was in 2008.
Kodo continually evolves, so we look forward to sharing our dynamism and strength with Brazil this year!
This will be the South American premiere of Kodo’s “DADAN,” performed with passion and energy by eleven powerful male performers. The cast, featuring veteran performers and brand new members, has been rehearsing relentlessly for this tour.
We are all sincerely looking forward to seeing everyone at the theaters in Brazil. Tchau!
March 2016 Kodo “DADAN 2016” Brazil Tour
“Eri Uchida Taiko Workshop in Zurich” by Mio Teycheney-Takashiro
Taiko Zurich invited Eri Uchida to give a taiko workshop during our stay in Switzerland.
It took a while for everyone to loosen up, but at the end of the session the group displayed a range of nuances in their drumming as they performed for each other while speaking the rhythms (kuchi shoga).
I think Eri was able to convey the importance of using your whole body when you play taiko and making sure your timing and breathing are tuned in to those around you.
Thank you very much to everyone who took part in this workshop!
Mio Teycheney-Takashiro, Kodo International Tour Manager
Jan.–Mar. 2016 “Kodo One Earth Tour 2016: Mystery” Europe Tour
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Russia