In 1976, modern music maestro Maki Ishii’s opus for taiko and orchestra, Mono-Prism, premiered in Boston, performed by Kodo’s precursor Sado no Kuni Ondekoza and Boston Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Seiji Ozawa. This extraordinary work has captivated audiences around the world for half a century to date.
The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Mono-Prism’s premiere, and Kodo’s own 45th anniversary. To celebrate these milestones, Kodo is thrilled to present a one-time special performance with Japan’s acclaimed conductor Tatsuya Shimono and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2026. It’s a rare chance to immerse yourself in the sublime, powerful sound of taiko and orchestra and to hear Mono-Prism performed live. Join us at the theater to experience it firsthand.

■Featuring: Kodo, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

■Conductor: Tatsuya Shimono

 

■Profiles

Tatsuya Shimono (Conductor)

Born in Kagoshima, Tatsuya Shimono cemented his international reputation early in his career by winning the Tokyo International Music Competition in 2000 and the Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors in 2001. He serves as Permanent Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Guest Conductor of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Hiroshima Wind Orchestra, and Conductor Laureate of the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra. Shimono is also dedicated to educating the next generation, teaching at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and Tokyo College of Music. He has received numerous accolades, including the Hideo Saito Memorial Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Arima Prize, the Hiroshima Citizens’ Award, and the Chugoku Cultural Award. Shimono is also a radio personality on NHK-FM’s Suisogaku no Hibiki [The Sound of Wind Music].

©️Shin Yamagishi

 

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 1911, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra has the dual function of a symphony orchestra and a theatrical orchestra. It is home to Honorary Music Director Myung-Whun Chung, Chief Conductor Andrea Battistoni, and Special Guest Conductor Mikhail Pletnev. TPO is widely recognized for its diverse activities, from concerts and opera and ballet performances at venues such as Tokyo’s New National Theatre to international tours and broadcast programming on NHK and other channels. The orchestra holds a franchise agreement with Bunkamura Orchard Hall and has business partnerships with Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo; Chiba City; Karuizawa, Nagano; and Nagaoka, Niigata, as well as a cooperative agreement with Kariya, Aichi.

©️ Takafumi Ueno

 

Maki Ishii (1936–2003)

Maki Ishii is a Japanese composer and conductor. Born the third son of Baku Ishii, the celebrated dancer and choreographer, he studied avant-garde music in Tokyo and Berlin. From the late 1960s onwards, he developed a creative approach that blended Western techniques with traditional Japanese music, working primarily in Japan and Germany. Ishii gained international acclaim for works such as the ballet suite Kaguyahime [The Moon Princess] and the opera Tojirareta Fune [The Sealed Boat]. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1999.

Sep. 5 (Sat), 2026 Kodo 45th Anniversary Performance
Kodo x Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra "Mono-Prism"

Sep 5 (Sat), 2026 Bunkyo Civic Hall (Main Hall), Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo

Doors Open:

15:30

Start:

16:00

Advance:

SS Seats ¥14,000, S Seats ¥11,000, A Seats ¥7,000, B Seats ¥3,500

At-the-door:

TBA. If made available, the price will be the same as advance tickets.

Seating Details:

All seats reserved. Please refrain from bringing preschoolers (ages 5 & under).

Ticket Availability:

Tickets on sale from Apr. 18 (Sat), 2026

Kodo no Kai Pre-Orders:

Available in early 2026.
*Details will be sent to Kodo no Kai members in February 2026. To join our Japanese-language supporter service Kodo no Kai, please contact us via this form or see our website for details (in Japanese only).

 

Ticket Outlets:

• Ticket Space Tel. 03-3234-9999
  *Closed on certain days. If you can’t get through, please try the following day.
• Ticket Space Online https://ints.co.jp
• Civic Ticket Tel. 03-5803-1111 (Operator available 10:00–19:00)
  or at box office (Bunkyo Civic Center 2F 10:00–19:00)
• Civic Hall Members https://b-civichall.pia.jp/ (free to sign up)
• Ticket Pia https://t.pia.jp/
• Lawson Ticket https://l-tike.com/
• e+ https://eplus.jp/
• KKday

Venue Address:

Bunkyo Civic Center, 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo 〒112-0003

Venue Access:

By train: Beside Korakuen Stn. on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi & Nanboku Lines and Kasuga Stn. on the Toei Mita & Oedo Subway Lines or 10-min. walk from JR Suidobashi Stn. on the JR Sobu Line.
By bus: 1-min. walk from the Bunkyo Civic Center (Kasuga Station) Stop on the B-Guru (Bunkyo Community Bus) route.
https://www.b-academy.jp/access/

Venue Website:

https://www.b-academy.jp/

Inquiries:

Ticket Space Tel. 03-3234-9999
*Closed on certain days. If you can’t get through, please try the following day.

Note(s):

English assistance by telephone is subject to availability. If you require extra help, please contact the Kodo Office.