“Kodo Interactive Performance in Mitaka on Oct. 7” by Kenta Nakagome

On Oct. 7, we welcomed the Myojo Gakuen Wadaiko Club to perform as our special guest at the “Kodo Interactive Performance” at Mitaka City Public Hall in Tokyo. Myojo Gakuen is the alma mater of cast member Kenta Nakagome. Here is a message Kenta wrote in the lead up to the performance.


All of a sudden, thirteen years have passed since I graduated from high school.

I look back and wonder how I felt back then when I played taiko.
I went to Myojo Gakuen because I wanted to play taiko, and naturally that is the reason I moved to Sado Island, too.

I wonder how the current wadaiko club sounds,

and I wonder how Kodo’s performance and sound will resonate with them.

I am happy to be able to return to this familiar place to play taiko.

I hope everyone who joins us there will enjoy the unique sound we create together with our drums and hearts.

I am looking forward to it.

Kenta Nakagome

Kodo Interactive Performance 2017 with Guest Appearance by Myojo Gakuen Wadaiko ClubOct. 7 (Sat), 2017 Mitaka City Public Hall, Mitaka, Tokyo

“Shishi Hair Whip” by Kengo Watanabe

When I joined Kodo, I never imagined I would be given the chance to wear kumadori stage makeup or perform the traditional hair whip (kefuri) shown in the photo above! When I appear on stage in the role of shishi (beast), I perform each and every hair whip with great care.

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo Special Performance “Yugen” (Japan)

“Niigata Prefecture Deputy Governor Visits Sado Island Taiko Centre” by Masami Miyazaki

On August 30, 2017, Niigata Prefecture Deputy Governor Mr. Hiroshi Masuda visited us at Sado Island Taiko Centre.


Tomohiro Mitome welcomed Deputy Governor Masuda with a performance on our “au naturel” Kodo-crafted taiko, Yamaimo-kun (a.k.a. Spuddy), and then we invited our special guest to have a go playing the big drum.


When we talked to the deputy governor about the “EXADON” programme, which combines taiko drumming with healthcare to help prevent the onset of dementia in senior citizens, he remarked, “I think that will make everyone feel well.” Deputy Governor Masuda took a look through the Rokusuke Ei exhibition upstairs and he was enthusiastic to hear our staff tell him all about it. We look forward to seeing him again and we hope he will bring his family with him next time.

Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan)

“‘Cross Transit’ Demonstration at Sado Island Taiko Centre Featuring Yoshie Abe” by Kazuko Arai

Yoshie Abe is currently taking part in “Cross Transit,” an international collaborative production led by choreographer and dancer Akiko Kitamura. It is a creative project that brings artists together from Japan and around Asia.

After their rehearsals this week at Kodo Village, tomorrow the Cross Transit artists will present a 30-minute demonstration of this unique work at Sado Island Taiko Centre. If you’re in the area, please come along! It’s free admission and reservations are not required.

Date & Time: Sep. 6 (Wed), 2017 16:30–17:00
Venue: Sado Island Taiko Centre Main Hall
Free admission
*Preschoolers are welcome, too.

http://www.akikokitamura.com/crosstransit/

“Our Local Festival ‘Ogi Minato Matsuri'” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga

Kodo is based in Ogi on Sado Island. On Aug. 26, the town of Ogi held its annual festival.

The Kodo Group came together to take part in the festival. We spent the day showing our appreciation to the people of Ogi by hauling our cart from door to door to play taiko for everyone.

Thank you for everything, Ogi!

After the festival, it’s time for us to head back out on tour again.
My next destination is Hakataza Theater in Fukuoka for “Yugen”!

Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo Special Performance “Yugen” (Japan)


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