Kodo’s Masayasu Maeda will appear playing taiko in a digital performance video at VIRTUAL NIPPON COLOSSEUM, a virtual festival that will share uniquely Japanese physiques and movements with the world through digital performances and physical data archives.

The festival will start streaming on Wednesday March 2. Watch via the festival app and it will feel the performances are taking place right in front of you. Maeda will also appear in an online talk session with AR 3 Brothers and musician Shuta Hasunuma on the night of March 2. We hope you’ll tune in!

Watch the online talk session on Mar. 2 (Wed) at 18:00–21:30 JST here:
THEATER for ALL Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzsRCarBK3EYXk9GZXLTL-g

Capturing 3D data

Visit the Theatre for All website for details on how to join the fun! 
https://theatreforall.net/en/virtual_nippon_colosseum/ (English)

Details below are in Japanese only.

＜概要＞日本の身体を世界に発信するデジタル・パフォーマンスと、人体データのアーカイブ実践プロジェクトが始動！川田十夢（AR三兄弟）が、世界中どこからでも鑑賞できる舞台モデルを提示し、経験を宿した身体の価値を未来に伝える。

芸能・芸術・スポーツが一つのトラックに集結。舞踏家、気鋭のダンサー、義足のパラ陸上選手、10代のプロスケートボーダー、日本の奇祭、和太鼓のリズムなどが、落語の口上に合わせて次々に登場する。

2022年3⽉2⽇（⽔）〜
【デジタルパフォーマンス動画配信】

THEATRE for ALL に会員登録すると無料で視聴できます。

*情報保障：英語字幕、バリアフリー⽇本語字幕、⾳声ガイド、⼿話

URL: https://theatreforall.net/join/virtual-nippon-colosseum/

2022年3⽉2⽇（⽔）〜
【アプリ配信】

https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id1600849033

お⼿元のスマートフォンで誰でも⽬の前で公演を実現できます。

＊ 「社会実験」はAR三兄弟がARをベースに様々な社会実験を実施していくアプリです。

＊無料・対応機種：iPhone8以上・推奨環境：iOS13.0以上 ※ 本アプリはiOSのみとなります。

2022年3⽉2⽇（⽔）18:00〜21:30
【公開記念・ジャンル横断型リレー⽅式カンファレンス】

「バーチャル身体の祭典 VIRTUAL NIPPON COLOSSEUM」プロジェクト発表会を開催！

プロジェクトの参加アーティストや、 身体や文化財のデジタルアーカイブ、バーチャルイベントに関する有識者の方々をお招きして、リレー式での一大カンファレンスを実施します。AR三兄弟の演出による作品「バーチャル身体の祭典 VIRTUAL NIPPON COLOSSEUM」の制作舞台裏やアプリの楽しみ方のご紹介をはじめ、「デジタル身体データ」の保存と利活用をテーマにした作品制作の可能性や活用事例、今後の可能性などについても話し合います。

川田十夢、AR三兄弟（次男、三男）、金森香、アオイヤマダ、前川楓、冨沢ノボル、ワクサカソウヘイ、男性ブランコ、前田順康（鼓童）、蓮沼執太、水野祐、畑中章宏、呉宮 百合香（評論家）、舟越靖（HIKKY）、村松卓矢（大駱駝艦）

配信先：THEATER for ALL Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzsRCarBK3EYXk9GZXLTL-g

※イベント時間や出演者は都合により変更になる場合がございます。あらかじめご了承ください。

In September, Kodo collaborated with world renowned guitarist MIYAVI and a stellar lineup of guest artists for the 6th concert in MIYAVI’s Virtual Concert series.
MIYAVI Virtual Concert 6.0 was held at one of Japan’s most celebrated temples, UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.
We are thrilled to announce that the concert will be screened three times at cinemas in Japan this month! If you’re in the area, this is your chance to enjoy the concert on a big screen with surround sound. MIYAVI will appear on stage at each cinema to greet the audience, too.
Don’t miss this exciting East-meets-West collaboration featuring electric guitar, Japanese traditional performing arts, and more!

Cinema Screenings of “MIYAVI in KIYOMIZU” MIYAVI Virtual Concert 6.0

TOKYO
Date & Time: Dec. 16 (Thu) 19:00
Venue: 109 Cinemas Futako Tamagawa

OSAKA
Date & Time: Dec. 20 (Mon) 19:00
Venue: 109 Cinemas Expocity

NAGOYA
Date & Time: Dec. 22 (Wed) 19:00
Venue: 109 Cinemas Nagoya

※MIYAVI will appear on stage at all three venues to greet the audience.

Ticket Prices:
General: 3,800 yen (tax incl.)
Executive Seats: 4,500 yen (tax incl.)

Ticket Sales:
Online: From Dec. 8 (Wed) 0:00 https://109cinemas.net/tickets/ (Japanese website)
In person: From Dec. 8 (Wed)

Featuring:
・MIYAVI
・Hiromitsu Agatsuma, Ukon Onoe, Kodo, Kengishu Kamui, Kaguzuchi, Akari, Korokke, BOBO, Hirotaka Sakurada, Hanah Spring, Mizuki Kamata

Venue Information & Inquiries:
109 Cinemas https://109cinemas.net/(Japanese website)

About MIYAVI Virtual Concert 6.0 “MIYAVI in KIYOMIZU”

Sep. 26 (Sun), 2021 Kodo Appearance in MIYAVI Virtual Concert 6.0 “MIYAVI in KIYOMIZU” (Free Live Stream)

Concert Photos on Instagram

 

この投稿をInstagramで見る

 

【公式】太鼓芸能集団 鼓童 Kodo(@kodoheartbeat)がシェアした投稿

MIYAVI Artist / Actor

(From Official Website)
MIYAVI is gaining recognition around the world for his unconventional style of playing the guitar—not with a pick, but with his fingers and his “slap style,” which is like no other. Miyavi has six successful world tours under his belt, totalling more than 250 shows in 30 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
In 2013, Miyavi entered a new phase by releasing the single “Ahead Of The Light,” which features his slap guitar with the strong beats of electro/dance music. His self-titled album, “Miyavi,” was released in Japan in June 2013 and is now being released in Asia, Europe and North America.
In recent years, Miyavi gathered attention from other artists and creators in the field. He has also produced music for television commercials. His music has been featured on various commercials for brands, including Uniqlo, Toshiba, Nissan, Lotte Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., among others.
In addition, he is receiving a lot of attention from fashion brands. With his acting debut in Unbroken, Miyavi was inspired by the message of peace which he himself has strived for; he has been able to use all his performing abilities this time as an actor who considers his body and soul to be his instrument. Consistently aiming for the next level, fans refer to Miyavi as the “Samurai Guitarist.”

Official Website http://myv382tokyo.com/
https://www.ldh.co.jp/management/miyavi/
https://www.universal-music.co.jp/miyavi/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/miyavi_ishihara/

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming collaboration with world renowned guitarist MIYAVI!

MIYAVI launched MIYAVI Virtual in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on touring. Kodo will join MIYAVI and a stellar lineup of guest artists for the 6th concert in this series on Sep. 26.
MIYAVI Virtual Concert 6.0 will be held at one of Japan’s most celebrated temples, UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. We hope you’ll tune into to the free live stream from your corner of the world!

Live Stream Date & Time: Sep. 26 (Sun) 20:00 JST

Streaming Platforms:
・MIYAVI Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MIYAVIOfficial/
・CL: https://www.cl-live.com/
Google Play (Available in 148 countries)
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/table/3541286?hl=ja
Apple Store (Available in 175 countries)
https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/HT204411

This concert is free to view.

Featuring:
・MIYAVI
・Hiromitsu Agatsuma, Ukon Onoe, Kodo, Kengishu Kamui, Kaguzuchi, Akari, Korokke, BOBO, Hirotaka Sakurada, Hanah Spring, Mizuki Kamata
※Cast may be subject to change without notice.

MIYAVI Artist / Actor

(From Official Website)
MIYAVI is gaining recognition around the world for his unconventional style of playing the guitar—not with a pick, but with his fingers and his “slap style,” which is like no other. Miyavi has six successful world tours under his belt, totalling more than 250 shows in 30 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
In 2013, Miyavi entered a new phase by releasing the single “Ahead Of The Light,” which features his slap guitar with the strong beats of electro/dance music. His self-titled album, “Miyavi,” was released in Japan in June 2013 and is now being released in Asia, Europe and North America.
In recent years, Miyavi gathered attention from other artists and creators in the field. He has also produced music for television commercials. His music has been featured on various commercials for brands, including Uniqlo, Toshiba, Nissan, Lotte Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., among others.
In addition, he is receiving a lot of attention from fashion brands. With his acting debut in Unbroken, Miyavi was inspired by the message of peace which he himself has strived for; he has been able to use all his performing abilities this time as an actor who considers his body and soul to be his instrument. Consistently aiming for the next level, fans refer to Miyavi as the “Samurai Guitarist.”

Official Website http://myv382tokyo.com/
https://www.ldh.co.jp/management/miyavi/
https://www.universal-music.co.jp/miyavi/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/miyavi_ishihara/

 

この投稿をInstagramで見る

 

Miyavi Lee Ishihara(@miyavi_ishihara)がシェアした投稿

Purchase Tickets

In June, we will present Kodo Performance in Asakusa “Ayumi” in Tokyo. All seven performances across our four-day residence are sold out, and we have decided to open the event up to the world by adding a live stream option for every performance.
Performed by a select cast, Ayumi promises to take audiences on an unforgettable ride. We hope you’ll join us for this concert experience from your corner of the globe.

Live Stream Performances

• June 24 (Thu) 18:30–19:30 JST *Archive recording available until June 27 (Sun) 23:59 JST
• June 25 (Fri) 11:00–12:00, 15:00–16:00 JST *Archive recording available until June 28 (Mon) 23:59 JST
• June 26 (Sat) 11:00–12:00, 15:00–16:00 JST *Archive recording available until June 29 (Tue) 23:59 JST
• June 27 (Sun) 11:00–12:00, 15:00–16:00 JST *Archive recording available until June 30 (Wed) 23:59 JST
  

Price

2,500 yen per performance

Streaming URL

https://kodoheartbeat.zaiko.io/_item/340089

*You need to register for a free Zaiko account to buy tickets and watch the live stream and/or archive recording.

Purchase Tickets

“Kodo One Earth Tour: Tsuzumi” is our latest touring production. It’s a commemorative work that we created to celebrate our 40th anniversary this year. This performance was captured in high-definition video and audio, then reconfigured into three parts especially for digital streaming. It’s available to watch on demand on Vimeo until the end of September 2021.

Watch on Vimeo

Note: The full performance is available on DVD from Kodo Online Store.

Director

Yuichiro Funabashi (Kodo)

Featured Pieces

[Part 1] Dyu-ha / Kono Mine no / Ayumi

[Part 2] Hitohi / Hayate / Monochrome

[Part 3] Izumogaku / O-daiko / Yatai-bayashi / Tomorrow

Recorded

Jan. 19–22, 2021, at Ryotsu Culture Hall, Sado Island, Niigata

Available on Demand

Apr. 28 (Wed)–Sep. 30 (Thu), 2021

Price

480 yen per part (one-week rental)

Streaming Platform

Vimeo

Length

Part 1: 22 mins. / Part 2: 26 mins. / Part 3: 31 mins.

Watch on Vimeo

Programme

Part 1

Part 1 begins with “Dyu-Ha,” created by the late Maki Ishii, a modern composer who presented this piece to Kodo as a gift to congratulate the ensemble on its debut in 1981. Next, embark on a virtual trip to Sado Island through the imagery conjured by “Kono Mine no.” Then, join Kodo’s 40th anniversary celebrations with festive “Ayumi,” a new piece composed to mark this special milestone in the group’s history.

Dyu-Ha | Composed by Maki Ishii (1981)
Kono Mine no | Lyrics and music by Yoko Fujimoto (2003)
Ayumi | Composed by Yuta Sumiyoshi (2020)

Part 2

Part 2 begins with two pieces composed by Kodo’s newest generation. The first is “Hitohi,” a festive piece inspired by the traditional performing arts upheld on Sado Island. Next is “Hayate,” a new piece filled with invigorating energy, like a strong gust of wind. This part concludes with one of Kodo’s signature pieces, “Monochrome,” which was created in 1976 by the late Maki Ishii, a modern composer. It’s a timeless masterpiece that boldly explores the vast possibilities of taiko.

Hitohi | Composed by Masayasu Maeda, dance arranged by Koki Miura (2019)
Hayate | Composed by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga (2020)
Monochrome | Composed by Maki Ishii (1976)

Part 3

Part 3 begins with an ethereal ryuteki flute solo in ”Izumogaku,” followed by two Kodo classics: the big drum solo, “O-daiko,” and a festive feat of stamina, “Yatai-bayashi.” The finale is the stage performance’s encore number, “Tomorrow.” This uplifting piece was composed to cheer people on in the wake of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

Izumogaku | Traditional, arranged by Kodo
O-daiko | Traditional, arranged by Kodo and Mitsuru Ishizuka
Yatai-bayashi | Traditional, arranged by Kodo
Tomorrow | Composed by Mitsuru Ishizuka (2011)

The following three Kodo Sado Island Performances in Shukunegi will be live streamed. It’s a special chance to attend our annual local concert series from your corner of the globe.
Live Stream Performances:

• May 4 (Tue) 11:00, 14:30 ※Archive recording available until May 7 (Fri) 23:59 JST
• May 5 (Wed) 11:00 ※Archive recording available until May 8 (Fri) 23:59 JST

Price: 2,000 yen per performance
Streaming URL: https://kodoheartbeat.zaiko.io/_item/339232
*You need to register for a free Zaiko account to buy tickets and watch the live stream and/or archive recording.

Kodo Sado Island Performances in Shukunegi (2021) *Livestream available!

Kodo has taken part in a special collaboration with Emirati composer Ihab Darwish on his new work, Hekayat: Symphonic Tales, which premieres online at this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival.

The performance traverses the globe in 13 compositions played by 128 musicians in 20 countries, capturing the musical traditions and cultures of every continent.
In a marvel of technological sophistication, the performers, recorded separately in their countries, will appear together as one orchestra on the stage of Abu Dhabi’s luxurious Emirates Palace Auditorium.

Abu Dhabi Festival 2021 World Premiere of “Hekayat: Symphonic Tales”

The first-of-its-kind virtual performance premieres on March 30, 2021 at 20:00 UAE Time/ March 31, 2021 at 1:00 JST
Free to view online from the premiere until April 11, 2021 via the link below:
https://abudhabifestival.ae/hekayat-symphonic-tales/

Event Website: Abu Dhabi Festival official website https://abudhabifestival.ae/

Coming to Movie Theaters in 2022!

Full-length feature filming starring Kodo!
This immersive sound experience will shake you to your core.

• Jan. 28 (Fri)–Feb. 10 (Thu), 2022
  Cinemart Shinjuku, Tokyo
  *Augmented audio screenings on offer until Feb. 3
  https://www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/shinjuku/
  
• Feb. 11 (Fri)–17 (Thu), 2022
  Cinemart Shinsaibashi, Osaka
  *Augmented audio screenings
  https://www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/shinsaibashi/
  

Further screenings at locations throughout Japan to be announced.

Shiver

Shiver by Ettō is a collaboration between emerging contemporary musician Koshiro Hino and Kodo. While Kodo has been featured in several fly-on-the-wall documentary films with interview segments, this is the ensemble’s first time appearing in a scripted movie. This new audio-visual experience is a world of sights and sounds rooted in local culture, featuring new music composed, recorded, and filmed entirely on Sado Island in late 2020.

After its initial release in February 2021, when it was made available on demand for a limited season, Shiver screened at Nippon Connection film festival in Germany. At long last, Shiver is heading to the silver screen in Japan in 2022.

From February, Cinemart will show this work with augmented audio to showcase this unique world of sound. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to enjoy this film on the big screen with extra-large speakers.

In December 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was painting Japan red, we were shooting this work on Sado Island, where there were no cases. It felt like we were praying as we filmed. I wasn’t bothered by the harsh winter on Sado Island. It was the sound of taiko that made me shiver. I sensed the future of Kodo, where their stiff stoicism was forgotten. This film has a mysterious atmosphere, one that I was only able to capture in that moment in time, in that place.

This film is like a documentary where sound depicts a time when the world was trembling.

　Toshiaki Toyoda, Director
Dec. 2021

STORY

A phantom reminiscent of Zeami, the founder of Noh who was exiled to Sado Island, walks along a road. He dons a Noh mask, stands on a cliff by the sea, and beats the sky with a flaming torch. Traveling through space and time to the present, a male Kodo drummer appears in a loincloth, beating a large taiko drum. The sound of the drum roars up like a fiery blaze, and with that the story begins.

Photo: Katsumi Omori

Photo: Katsumi Omori

Photo: Katsumi Omori

Directed by: Toshiaki Toyoda
Script by: Toshiaki Toyoda
Music by: Koshiro Hino

Cast
Musicians: Koshiro Hino, Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble (Yoshie Abe, Kenta Nakagome, Shogo Komatsuzaki, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Ryoma Tsurumi, Issei Kohira, Masayasu Maeda, Kodai Yoshida, Seita Saegusa, Chihiro Watanabe, Taiyo Onoda, Shun Takuma, Sho Nakatani)
Appearance by: Kiyohiko Shibukawa

Toshiaki Toyoda

Born on March 10, 1969, in Osaka. Toyoda made a debut in the film world in 1991, by scenario for “Ote” (Director Junji Sakamoto). Earned the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award on “Pornostar” where he debuted as a director. Also known for “Blue Spring”, “9 Souls”, “Hanging Garden”, etc.
In 2019, he released the short film, “Noroshi ga Yobu”, and published his autobiography “Hanbun Ikita”.
On April 11, 2020, he released a documentary film “Planetist” set in the Ogasawara Islands, and “The Day of Destruction” in the same year on July 24th.
www.imaginationtoyoda.com

Koshiro Hino

Band member and composer of the bands “goat” and “bonanzas”. In addition to the solo electronic music project YPY, Koshiro composes and directs the hybrid orchestra “Virginal Variations”, that fuses classical instruments and electronic sound; and a full-body sensory sound show called “GEIST”, that mixes many speakers and moving performers. He is also active in the ANTIBODIES collective established by Toshio Kajiwara and Yoko Higashino, and is in charge of music for the new stage “Kodokunorenshu” by the former Ishinha.
Owner of a cassette label, “Birdfriend”, that releases underground musicians from Japan and overseas; and label “Nakid”, that releases contemporary/electronic music.
https://soundcloud.com/koshiro-hino

Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble

About Kodo

Kiyohiko Shibukawa

For information in English, please see here.

About Ettō

Japan is an island country composed of 6,852 islands. From this miraculous country, transcending the age of isolation and crossing the sea that divides the land, Ettō aims to spread awareness of the music, culture, and local lifestyles that have formed them. Ettō is a new type of music video streaming program, rooted in local cultures, that enables artists to travel around Japan, while doing research and passing on their insights.
https://etto.world/

Preview on YouTube
https://youtu.be/Fks1zRyGpC8

Follow Ettō on Social Media
Twitter：https://twitter.com/etto__world
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/etto.world/

Credits:

Kodo Stage Managers & Production Staff: Masafumi Kazama, Takeshi Arai, Miki Yanagisawa, Sorami Ikeyama
Director of Photography: Kenji Maki
Lighting: Naoki Nomura
Production Design: Chihiro Matsumoto
Costume Design: Masataka Hattori, Edo Ichibantai
Hair and Makeup: Kazuta Shirogane
Sound Effects: Masaya Kitada
Sound Recording: Toshihiko Kasai
Recording: Masaru Takahashi
Still Photography: Katsumi Omori
Editor: Takanobu Oki
Producer: Takanobu Oki
Planning/Production: Ettō (Taro Yasuzawa, Mariko Kurose)

2021 / Color / 5.1ch / 89min
Ettō https://etto.world/

Released: Feb. 5, 2021
©2021 ettō