Tag ‘Naomi Iseki’
“Beyond Asakusa’s Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate)” by Naomi Iseki
Beyond Asakusa’s Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate)
From June 1, when you pass through Asakusa’s iconic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), a dream-like view for Kodo in the lead up to our “DADAN 2015” performances awaits…
Kodo flags all along the Nakamise Shopping Street!
The street will keep them on display for us until June 15 when our performances conclude. When you come to Asakusa to see “DADAN,” make sure you take a stroll along and have a look.
The shops along Nakamise Shopping Street boast a wide range of tasty treats and beautiful Japanese souvenirs. It takes a while to make your way all the way down to Sensoji Temple if you stop and look at all the wonderful stores, so allow plenty of time!
See you soon in Asakusa!
Details about “DADAN 2015” (June 11–15): http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20150610dadan_en.html
“It’s Almost Time for ‘DADAN’ in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
It’s now less than two weeks until the “DADAN 2015” performances. We wanted to make Kodo’s presence in Asakusa even stronger than last year, so we asked everyone in Asakusa to lend us a hand.
This style of vertical scroll poster is often seen around Asakusa, but it’s Kodo’s first time to make one for our performances. Many places have kindly displayed them for us.
We also made these postcards and they are available at cafes and other stores around Asakusa. Keep an eye out for them and share them with your friends!
And… do you know what these are?
Well, you’ll have to come to Asakusa to find out for yourself! I’m looking forward to telling you about these when the time comes…
“Sumida Park in Spring” by Naomi Iseki
March 28, 2015
There is a cherry blossom festival underway at Sumida Park, near Kodo’s Tokyo Office. When you go there to see the blossoms, you also see a lot of bright pink paper lanterns.
This year, there is a lantern for “Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble, Kodo” hanging amongst the lanterns for all the shops in Asakusa. They always support us so warmly.
We hope you’ll keep an eye out for our lantern if you visit Asakusa to see the cherry blossoms!
Kodo “DADAN 2015” Performances
June 10 (Wed)–15 (Mon), 2015 Asakusa Public Hall, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Tickets are selling quickly! Don’t delay, reserve yours today!
“Backstage Tour” by Naomi Iseki
After the “Kodo One Earth Tour2014: Eternity” Tokyo performance on Dec. 22, we held a backstage tour for a special group of people who handle our ticket sales.
We don’t get to offer this kind of tour usually, but we were able to show this group around backstage with the support of our junior members.
Yosuke Oda appeared as a special guest! He played a hirado-odaiko drum with an array of different drumsticks. It was a very short time, but I think everyone enjoyed it.
Thank you to all of the participants for joining us! I would like to plan this kind of tour more often in future, so I hope you’ll have a chance to come along, too!
“Update from Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
Update from Asakusa
From July Issue of Japanese Monthly Newsletter “Kodo”
In June, thanks to the cooperation of many locals and numerous others we held five successful performances in Asakusa. Thank you for your support, everyone!
Just like last year, this year there was an array of stalls from shops in Taito Ward set up in the lobby. This kind of lobby setup is unusual on a Kodo tour and quite unique to our Asakusa performances. The shop clerks wore matching happi (workman’s coats) and their presence made the theater atmosphere very lively.
On the first floor, we had an exhibition and also set up a corner where people could play taiko. It provided a chance for many people to play our drums. I hope that the people who had never played taiko before felt a stronger connection to the drums through their hands-on experience.
This time, we also had School Workshop Performances at two schools in Asakusa. For some Kodo members, it was their first time to perform at a school with Kodo. It was such an enjoyable time for all of us to be surrounded by the children with their pure hearts and smiles.
School Workshop Performance in Asakusa
We performed two pieces in front of Asakusa Public Hall in the “Star Plaza” (Walk of Fame) area. Before we performed outside, I went around the locals to let them know we would be doing this and they said “Play taiko as much as you like!” “I’m looking forward to it!,” etc. Then, they even came along to watch us during the outside performance, so I was so happy! On the final day it was drizzling, but when we started to perform Yui,, the sun shined on the performers. I will never forget that moment.
Our Asakusa performances were a success thanks to the help of so many people. During Asakusa’s annual festival Sanja Matsuri, the sound of live music accompanies the portable shrines as they make their way along the streets. Based at Kodo’s Tokyo Office, I will continue to work hard in the hopes that the sound of Kodo’s taiko will also be something the locals in Asakusa look forward to hearing every year!
“Asakusa by Night” by Naomi Iseki
This year, there will be one evening performance during the “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” concerts in Asakusa, Tokyo. It’s on June 24th. It will commence at 6pm and conclude around 8pm.
The shops in Asakusa seem to shut earlier than they do in other areas. But even when it’s all closed up, it looks really beautiful here. Take some time after our evening performance to stroll through the streets and enjoy the echo of “Mystery” under the warm street lights.
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
June 21 (Sat) – 25 (Wed) at Asakusa Public Hall, Tokyo
June 21 (Sat) 16:00
June 22 (Sun) 15:00
June 23 (Mon) 15:00
June 24 (Tue) 18:00
June 25 (Wed) 14:00
Doors open 30 min. prior to each performance.
All seats reserved. General 7,000 yen, Students (aged 6-24) 3,000 yen
◆Ticket Outlets◆
tvk Ticket Counter Tel. 0570-00-3117
Asakusa Public Hall Tel. 03-3844-7491
Ticket Pia Tel. 0570-02-9999
Ticket 6 (Roku) Tel. 03-5826-0315 (English assistance available)
“The Third Day at Sanja Matsuri” by Naomi Iseki
The Third & Final Day at Sanja Matsuri
The three portable shrines (mikoshi) kept in Asakusa Shrine were carried around the town of Asakusa all day long. I saw one of the shrines, called “Ninomiya.” It was so powerful.
The people of Asakusa really treasure this festival and I am really happy to have experienced it, little by little, as an onlooker for three days.
One of the people taking care of me said, “A festival can not be understood just by watching. You have to join in to understand the real joy of it.” These words left an impression on me.
I can’t wait for Sanja Matsuri again next year.
So, the local festival is now over and soon the Kodo Asakusa performances will begin! Please come and experience Kodo in Asakusa. We hope you will join us here this June!
[June 21-25 Kodo Asakusa Performances]
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
“The Second Day at Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
The Second Day at Sanja Matsuri
Each portable shrine (mikoshi) was purified at Asakusa Shrine and then carried out into the town of Asakusa.
The costume is different for each district, so the atmosphere is also different.
The local children were doing their best, too!
I came across the portable shrines wherever I went.
It was such an exciting day for the locals carrying the portable shrines, and for spectators like me, too!
“First Night at Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
I also went to see the festival Sanja Matsuri at night on the first day.
The six portable shrines that were in front of Asakusa Public Hall came and went through Kaminarimon Gate.
Here comes a tengu, a long‐nosed goblin! His gold eyes are so striking.
The lanterns on the portable shrines were lit up at night and it was very beautiful.
And there were people, people and more people! The festival is in full swing!
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
[June 21-25 Kodo Asakusa Performances]
“First Day of Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa” by Naomi Iseki
Six portable shrines lined up in front of Asakusa Public Hall. I was not able to fit them all into one picture to show you, but I can assure you that a still photo wouldn’t do the passion and power justice!
It was my first time to see Senso-ji Temple’s large censer (vessel for burning incense) moved from where it always stands.
Inside Asakusa Shrine, three big portable shrines were waiting for their own turn.
The festival will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so I am getting more and more excited!
Safety first! They’ve prepared the area perfectly!