Tag ‘Solo/Small-Group Projects’
“Fujimotomida Rehearsals” by Tsugumi Yamanaka
We all have round faces. I wonder how many years have passed since we were together at Daisho in Mano*?
After the “Fujimotomida” rehearsals, the three of us took this picture together at the Sado Island Taiko Centre. Their voices were crazily loud during the rehearsals… can you imagine what they’ve got in store for the audience?!
*Daisho in Mano: Kodo used to be based at the former Daisho Elementary School in Mano, fondly called “Daisho.”
“Fujimotomida” Concerts
Tickets are on sale now! Please come along! It’s going to be a fun concert for sure!
Yoshikazu Fujimoto will join Kazuaki Tomida of Uchigumi for their first ever two-man taiko performance. They first met 37 years ago when Tomida joined Kodo’s antecedent group “Sado no Kuni Ondekoza” and it was Fujimoto who helped with his initiation, teaching him the basics of taiko. Don’t miss this special chance to see them perform together!
June 20 (Fri), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun), 2014
Tiara Koto Sho-Hall, Koto Ward, Tokyo
Appearing: Yoshikazu Fujimoto (Kodo), Kazuaki Tomida (Uchigumi)
Doors Open: 30 mins. before each performance.
Start: June 20 (Fri) 19:00 June 21 (Sat) 17:00 June 22 (Sun) 15:00
Ticket Outlet: Tiara Koto Ticket Service Tel. 03-5624-3333
Tsuyoshi Maeda: An Interview by Johnny Wales
An Interview with Tsuyoshi Maeda by Johnny Wales
Tsuyoshi Maeda, immediately after this interview.
(Photo: Johnny Wales)
Tsuyoshi Maeda was born in the countryside near Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture on August 28th, 1986. He has one older sister. He fondly remembers a childhood playing in the surrounding foothills, fishing with friends from their small school with whom he remained close from kindergarten right through to middle school. Never keen on school work, Tsuyoshi played soccer and loved making music and art. At the age of 11 he joined the local children’s drum group, Hatakko Daiko. Learning taiko, fue, dance and song, it wasn’t long before Tsuyoshi knew that this is what he wanted to do with his life. Unusually, his parents supported that dream from the start. By high school his rehearsals and weekly performances with the group left too little time to carry on with soccer and he broadened his musical training by studying koto and (Japanese harp) shamisen (Japanese banjo) too.
He first came across Kodo in middle school through a CD which he listened to over and over. He went to see the group at a large concert in Kobe and decided then and there that he wanted to be like them. He remembers thinking that they seemed to shine on the stage.
“Motofumi Yamaguchi ‘Ikkan Fugetsu'” by Narumi Matsuda
Motofumi Yamaguchi “Ikkan Fugetsu” in Sammu, Chiba
On May 16, Naruto Cultural Center Wild Chrysanthemum Plaza presented Motofumi Yamaguchi’s “Ikkan Fugetsu” concert. This hall is near the home of Ranjo-san, the craftsman who makes the shinobue (bamboo flutes) we play.
The venue erected a temporary stage in its entrance hall and sold beverages and snacks behind the audience seating. This setup made for a relaxed mood.
This was the 148th salon concert held by this hall. I saw some members in the audience who looked like they had come straight from working in their fields and they were relaxing as they listened to the concert. I could tell that these concerts are a firmly established event in this town.
Motofumi’s bamboo flute and talks to the audience created a great harmony with the piano and vocal performance by Yumi Nogami. After seeing this concert, I am already looking forward to their performances to come!
For the finale, Motofumi was joined by junior high school students to play “Hana wa Saku – Flowers Will Bloom, ” which is a song to support the regions affected by the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake. It was so moving.
Motofumi Yamaguchi “Ikkan Fugetsu”
“Workshop Performance in Ishinomaki” by Kenta Nakagome
May 16 Kodo Workshop Performance (Ishinomaki, Miyagi)
We gave a “Workshop Performance” at the Ishinomaki-shi Kahoku Sogo Center in Miyagi Prefecture.
Ishinomaki was greatly damaged by the 2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake. Kodo had held performances in Ishinomaki prior to the disaster, and we were happy to be able to perform here once more. The smiles and cheers from the audience who gathered to watch us gave us a power boost, so we put all that power into the sound of our taiko.
After the performance, an aquaintance said to us “Please do come back and give another performance in Ishinomaki.” We look forward to returning here and seeing everyone in Ishinomaki, happy and well.
May 25 (Sun), 2014 Kodo Workshop Performance & Taiko Clinic (Tokai, Aichi)
Our next Workshop Performance is in Tokai, Aichi. We hope to see you there!
“School Workshop Performance Tour Sets Off” by Yuko Shingai
On May 15, the School Workshop Performance tour left Kodo Village.
Safe travels, everyone!
May 25 (Sun), 2014 Kodo Workshop Performance & Taiko Clinic (Tokai, Aichi)
June 15 (Sun), 2014 Kodo Appearances at “CoCoLo Early Summer Festa” (Niigata City)
“It’s Almost Time for the Workshop Performance Tour!” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Last week, we practiced hard for the coming Workshop Performances.
Two new junior members, Ryoma Tsurumi & Ryosuke Inada have joined our cast and the performance has become even more powerful. We will perform some new pieces that we have never played on the “One Earth Tour” stage. We look forward to seeing you at one of the public performance venues!
I will lead a “Taiko Clinic” workshop in Tokai, which is junior member Ryoma’s hometown.
May 16 (Fri), 2014 Kodo Workshop Performance (Ishinomaki, Miyagi)
May 24 (Sat), 2014 Taiko Clinic (Workshops) (Tokai, Aichi)
May 25 (Sun), 2014 Kodo Workshop Performance (Tokai, Aichi)
June 15 (Sun), 2014 Kodo Appearances “CoCoLo Early Summer Festa” (Niigata City)
“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
“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)
“Rehearsal for Niigata Station Event” by Kenta Nakagome
May 2, 2014
On May 4, we will perform at the “Umasa Gisshiri CoCoLo Special Festa” at Niigata Station. We had a run through rehearsal for it today! It’s a 30-minute performance but it’s an action-packed programme.
Please come along to see us at Niigata Station!
Kodo Website | Kodo Appearances at Niigata Station Events
“The Rock Cave of Heaven” by Chieko Kojima
“The Rock Cave of Heaven” in Barcelona, Spain
February 28, 2014
This is a video of my collaboration with contemporary dancer, Cesc Gelabert. This footage captures my first time performing in a world of contemporary dance. I would like to delve even deeper into this special work.
Public performance of work-in-progress piece “The Rock Cave of Heaven, “ a collaboration between Chieko Kojima and one of Spain’s leading contemporary dancers, Cesc Gelabert.
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140228chieko_en.html
Photos: Rob Ribas
