Tag ‘Solo/Small-Group Projects’
“Trip to Argentina” by Yoshikazu Fujimoto
At our performance venue Paseo La Plaza, Buenos Aires.
(With Yoko at the theater entrance)
Argentina is the furtherest country from Japan. The time there is the total opposite from day & night in Japan. There are many Japanese-Argentinean people due to its history of immigrants from Japan, and they uphold Japanese culture there with great care. We met people who love Japanese taiko, who make taiko by hand, who formed taiko groups and, of course, who play taiko. They all started playing taiko without any teachers. I was very impressed by their attitude towards taiko.
“Takada Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Event” by Shingo Kawamura
On April 19 (Sat), Kodo performed at the “Takada Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Event” at Takada Castle, which is renowned as one of “Japan’s Top 3 Evening Cherry Blossom Spots.”
We worried about the weather as it was raining there the day before the performance. But luckily a beautiful blue sky welcomed us all on the performance day.
We gave two performances and the second one started at 18:00. It was chilly at night, but many people came to see our performance! We were very glad to see everyone there.
The performance was a week after the cherry blossom season peak, so the cherry blossom petals had started to fall from the trees… but everyone got to see some surprise petals on the Kodo stage!
It’s not just confetti, it’s a special cherry blossom version! At these performances, beautiful, real cherry blossom petals flew out from Chieko’s fan.
Thank you everyone that came along!
“Premiere of ‘FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju'” by Narumi Matsuda
Tsuyoshi Maeda from Kodo appeared in “FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju.”
The opening night performance was held on April 2 at the New National Theatre. It was a really enjoyable flamenco and live music programme. Tsuyoshi played taiko throughout the production and had a key role in each scene.
Here are pictures of the gorgeous lobby at the theater and Tsuyoshi working hard to tighten the ropes of the taiko all by himself.
“FLAMENCO Sonezaki Shinju” at New National Theater in Apr. 2 (Wed) – 6 (Thu)
“On the Road Again” by Ryosuke Inada
The Workshop Performance team just got back 3 days ago, but today they set off on the road again. This time they’ll perform at “Art Mix Japan 2014” and other events. We saw them off playing taiko and cheered them on, in a somewhat macho way.
Do your best!
We promise to practise hard while you’re away!
▼Kodo Performance at “Art Mix Japan 2014”
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140405artmixjapan_en.html
“Today at Ryugon!” by Mitsuru Ishizuka
Mar. 28, 2014
The “School Workshop Performance” team is back in Niigata Prefecture. Tonight we are performing in a dinner show at Ryugon, one of the top three traditional hot-spring inns in Japan!
This will be our fifth consecutive year here. Of course we want the audience members to enjoy themselves, but it is also like a dream for us as performers to come here, soak in the hot springs, eat delicious foods and play taiko together.
This year our performance will also include a collaboration with Niigata-based shamisen player Fumiyoshi, so the program will feature a range of music! I can’t wait for tonight!
▼Rehearsals for the Ryugon Performance
http://www.kodo.or.jp/blog/staff/20140306_635.html
Kodo Website: Kodo Performance at Performance at Traditional Japanese Inn “Ryugon”
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20140328ryugon_ja.html
“Matsurine 2014” by Tomohiro Mitome
The third annual “Matsurine” performance was a roaring success.
The title of the concert literally means “Festival Sound” and it was held at Tokyo’s Sogetsu Hall. The sound of taiko and the shouts from the audience turned the concert into a Japanese festival, as the name intended.
March 23 (Sun) Kodo Guest Appearance “Matsurine 2014”
“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
“Today’s Rehearsal for “Art Music Japan” by Kenta Nakagome
Today we had a run-through rehearsal for “Art Music Japan.”
I’ll be playing the o-daiko for the first time in a while!
There’s a lot of energetic pieces…
… if you’re going to come along, you should be excited!
April 5 (Sat), 2014
Kodo Appearance at “Art Mix Japan 2014”
Ryutopia – Niigata Shimin Geijutsu Bunka Kaikan Theater, Niigata City