My Kodo Discography Pick 08 | Mizuki Yoneyama: One Earth Tour Special (DVD)

Mizuki Yoneyama

The DVD I recommend is “Kodo One Earth Tour Special.”

Especially, the piece Furyu.

I went to see this performance live at Setagaya Public Theatre when I was an elementary school student. When I saw Tsubasa Hori—a female performer who has since left the Kodo—performing in Furyu, I remember seeing the look on her face, in her eyes, and her presence on stage and thinking, “I want to join Kodo and perform on stage with this woman.” I found that dream then and there.

For me, this is a production that greatly shifted the course of my life.

 

DVD | One Earth Tour Special

↓Find out more (Japanese webpage)
https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sibl1_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store (English)
http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_138.html

My Kodo Discography Pick 06 | Taiyo Onoda: Legend (DVD)

Taiyo Onoda

 

On 2013, “Kodo One Earth Tour: Legend” came to the university I was attending. This was the first time I saw Kodo live. The three back-to-back O-daiko (big drum) performances were highly memorable. I could not make out who was performing since I watched from the third floor, but I remember thinking, “just how many performers are back stage on standby in their fundoshi (loincloth), waiting for their turn…?”

At that time, I was just working on my odaiko solo, so I practiced and composed it by recalling impressions and memories of the performance. Two years later, “Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” came to the U.S., and I bought this Legend DVD at the venue without hesitation. I watched it many, many times. This production deeply impressed me and showed me that Kodo has some of the best odaiko performers.

 

DVD | Legend

↓Watch trailer

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od009_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_76.html

 

My Kodo Discography Pick 01 | Mitsuru Ishizuka: Akatsuki (Album) and Honoka (DVD)

In the lead up to Kodo’s 40th anniversary in 2021, we looked back over the many works our group has released to date. Each Kodo member will introduce their personal pick (or picks) in this blog series over the weeks ahead.

Mitsuru Ishizuka 


I recommend Kodo’s Akatsuki album and Honoka DVD!

Both of these were recorded in 2010–2011 as special works to commemorate Kodo’s 30th anniversary.

I remember that time as a really tough one.

The entire Kodo ensemble seemed to feel bound by the invisible shackles of its 30 years of history, which had an indescribable oppressiveness on us. And in early 2011, the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami struck. So it was also a period which made us question our reason for doing what we do.

At that complex time, I think each Kodo member was hanging in there, struggling to make it through by focusing on the fundamentals: taiko, their own playing, and the people waiting for Kodo’s tours and concerts.

That led to the emergence of an array of really simple, bold, powerful compositions, which were captured in these recordings.

Akatsuki and Honoka are both works that might feel rather rough, raw, and more rugged that Kodo’s previous works… I think that’s due to an overflow of all the energy we poured in. Our struggles added to our power, so I think that made the works interesting and well worth a listen. (lol)

I hope you’ll enjoy my picks!

Album | Akatsuki

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od006_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_75.html

DVD | Honoka

↓Watch trailer

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od007_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_68.html

My Kodo Discography Pick 11 | Kei Sadanari: Honoka (DVD)

Kei Sadanari

My DVD recommendation is ”Honoka.”

When I was in junior high school, Kodo came to my hometown for their Interactive Performances, and I performed with them. It was back then when I was given this “Honoka” DVD. It was my first time watching a Kodo performance, and I was greatly moved.

Especially by the very first track, Honoka.

I remember getting goosebumps even just watching it on video, and turning the TV up as loud as it would go.

Last year, we performed Honoka at the Interactive Performances and I was so excited that I couldn’t stop smiling.

DVD | Honoka

↓Watch trailer

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od007_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_68.html

DVD “Kodo Legacy” Released Today!

Hello! This is Kodo Online Store.
The wait is over: the new Kodo Legacy DVD went on sale today!

Photo: Erika Ueda

We hope you’ll add this performance to your home theater collection.

It’s a full concert experience, all 94 minutes! So sit back and enjoy it as if you’re right there in the audience.

Released: May 24, 2019
Price: 4,860 yen (tax incl.)

See here for details.

Available now at Kodo Online Store in English and at Kodo performances in Japan.
Kodo Online Store also sells a range of merchandise and instruments. See our Japanese store for the full lineup.
We welcome inquiries by email for items not listed on our English store page.

Kodo Online Store
Email: store@kodo.or.jp
http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/index_en_jpy.html


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