Jan. 1, 2022

New Year’s Greeting from Kodo Ensemble Leader Yuichiro Funabashi

I wish you all a very happy new year!

We celebrated Kodo’s 40th anniversary last year. We were really pleased to be able to hold commemorative tours and school tours, along with special events including “Inochi” with Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and concerts at Bunkamura Orchard Hall.

Being able to share our sound with audiences in person again made 2021 a joyous year for us, despite the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support and encouragement gave us strength, and I want to sincerely thank all of you for cheering us on.

Last year we released new albums and DVDs, and shared our sound and spirit with the world through a range of offerings online including Kodo Taiko School, digital streaming, and our Heartbeat Radio series. While travel was restricted, we were so happy to connect with people far and wide in through these projects.

2021 was a milestone year, marking four decades of history for Kodo. We felt the immense power of that history throughout the year. It will drive us forward as we step into the next decade, heading towards Kodo’s 50th and 100th anniversaries. In 2022, we will continue to broaden the possibilities of taiko expression as we tackle new challenges head on.

We look forward to sharing time and space with you all this year. We also look forward to learning more here on Sado Island, and bringing the sound of Kodo to people all over Japan and around the world.

I sincerely hope that 2022 is a great year for each and every one of you.
I kindly ask for your continued guidance and encouragement.

 

Yuichiro Funabashi
Leader
Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble