[Kodo Next Generation] “The Time of My Life” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga

Photo: Takuri Susaki

I’m not sure where to start.

It’s difficult to put into words how these past two weeks at the Théâtre du Soleil have been, but simply put, it has been one of the most interesting experiences of my life.

It has been a time of tranquility, but also a time of passion.
A time of exhilaration, but also a time of exasperation.
It was truly a much-needed time of self-meditation, and a time of self-reflection for each and every one of us.

Photo: Takuri Susaki

I’m still having trouble writing down my thoughts.

Photo: Takuri Susaki

One thing that is for sure is that we are truly grateful for all the support and love we receive doing what we do.

Photo: Koji Miyagi

To Ariane Mnouchkine and the wonderful people at the Theatre du Soleil: thank you for bringing us into your home like family. This has truly been an opportunity of a lifetime.

To our families, staff, and supporters all over the world; we are only here because of you. We appreciate all the love and support, and we promise to strive to continue to bring you our very best.

Photo: Takuri Susaki

Once again, thank you to everyone, and we hope we’ll see all of you very soon.

Kodo Next Generation (France)

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

[Kodo Next Generation] “The Tour Finale” by Tomoe Miura

Photo: Takuro SusakiHello, everyone!
Ten days has passed since we arrived in Paris. We’ve enjoyed nice weather and the feel-good breeze that blows through the Bois de Vincennes.

Photo: Takuro Susaki

Many things happen each day that remind me how inexperienced I am, but I know am still very early on in my career. This experience here in Paris is a seed that will grow. I feel determined to do my best in life as a taiko performer. That seed, that drive, I carry them on stage with me to face each new performance.

Photo: Takuro SusakiFor ten days, we have been based at Théâtre du Soleil in the Bois de Vincennes in suburban Paris. Both our accommodations and our performances have been on site.

Photo: Takuro SusakiThe members of the Théâtre make our meals and take good care of us on and off stage. Thanks to them, we can rest assured each day that our daily life and our performances are in great hands.

Photo: Takuro Susaki

Photo: Takuro Susaki

Even if we had a tough day for some reason or other, their delicious meals and their warm smiles always saved the day.

Photo: Takuro Susaki

Thanks to Ariane Mnouchkine, the director of Théâtre du Soleil, and the entire company, we have made it to the day of our finale. Thank you all very much!

Photo: Takashi OkamotoOnly one performance to go. I’ll give 200% again today, right until the very last beat!

Photo: Takuro Susaki

Kodo Next Generation (France)

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

[Kodo Next Generation] “Gratitude” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga

What’s something we can do right now?

The youngest members of Kodo.
I wonder what we could achieve if we threw ourselves wholeheartedly into a project.

With those thoughts, and mere enthusiasm and energy, last year we created a new EC Theatre performance,
“Kodo Next Generation.”

Back then, I never thought we’d have back-to-back performances of that production in Paris one day.

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

And now it’s one year on.

Each one of us has grown.

Now we have the chance to tackle this production once more
With new spirit.

Of course, we still face so many challenges.
We all feel insecure about many things.

But one thing is for sure.
We all feel truly happy to be able to do this work.

Thanks to the support we receive from so many people,
We can throw ourselves wholeheartedly into any new challenge we want to undertake.

We are filled with absolute gratitude.

With gratitude in mind,
I think the best thing we can do in return for that support
is perform with all our might
and give each audience our best performance.

Photo: Koji Miyagi

I want this journey to be a fruitful one.
I hope we all grow during our time in France. We’ll do our very best.
See you later, Japan! See you soon, Paris!

Kodo Next Generation (France)

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

[Kodo Next Generation] “Just Go For It” by Yuta Kimura

“May I come and watch your practice tomorrow, the one just for young members?”

Photo: Erika Ueda

Plucking up the courage one year ago to ask that question to Ryotaro, who was directing a new program, turned into the beginning of my own “Kodo Next Generation” journey.
When I was a Kodo apprentice, Ryotaro talked to me more than anyone else. So while I didn’t say it out loud, I was thinking all along that I really wanted to appear in the first work that he directed.

Photo: Erika Ueda
When everyone gathered up after that rehearsal that I went to watch, Ryotaro said, “I’m going to add Kimu* to the Next Generation team.” (*Kimu is my nickname at Kodo)
I was so happy to hear that!

Most of the rehearsals for Kodo Next Generation were squeezed in between other rehearsals. Time was really tight, but when we got together and worked on songs, it was really exciting. Kind of like when being a kid again and making a secret base with friends.

Photo: Erika Ueda

Then, the time came for the last rehearsal before our first performance. And it was all over the place.
I was flustered. I really wondered if we could pull it off. I don’t remember the exact words that were said at the meeting after that final practice, but I remember that we all knew that there was no turning back. We just had to be strong and get ready to perform with all our might.

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

Last year, we gave our all in that first-ever “Kodo Next Generation” performance. The audience really enjoyed it. While I’d like to say this year’s performance is going to have a new flavor, I don’t really have any flavors up my sleeve other than young. All I can do is just go for it.

So I’ll do just that, with all my might!

Photo: Erika Ueda

Kodo Next Generation

Jul 17–22, 2018 Théâtre du Soleil, Paris, France

Photo: Takashi Okamoto


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