Sado Island

Aug 16 (Wed), 2017 / Last updated : Aug 16 (Wed), 2017 melanie Posts by MembersEarth Celebration, EC 2017, Eiichi Saito, Exhibition, Kenta Nakagome, Kodo Member(s), Sado Island, Tomoe Miura, Yosuke Kusa

“Our ‘Living, Learning, Creating’ Exhibition at EC” by Yosuke Kusa

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Earth Celebration 2017 begins this weekend!

One of the events at EC 2017 this year is Kodo’s free-admission “Living, Learning, Creating” exhibition at Tennanso in Ogi’s main shopping street. Kodo performers and staff will share a range of things they made by hand, including stage props, instruments, and furniture, alongside photos they took while they were on tour with Kodo.

Today, I would like to share a sneak peek of some of the items that will be on display.

▼ Kenta Nakagome’s taiko bachi (drumsticks)

▼ Eiichi Saito’s suri-zasara, a percussion instrument made from bamboo that is played by rubbing a whisk-like beater along a long notched rod.

▼ Tomoe Miura’s coverall apron

▼ Photos by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga (left) and Ryoma Tsurumi (right)

Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Tomohiro Mitome, and Yuichiro Funabashi will also have their handcrafted drumsticks on display. You will also see sashiko embroidery by Kiyoko Oi, an okedo-daiko made by Maya Minowa…and much more! We look forward to showing you a different side to Kodo than what you see on stage. Please come along!

▼ The exhibition will be held at Tennanso, which is marked “23” on this Ogi map.

Download (PDF *Japanese only)

*During EC, the shops numbered on this map will hold a special market-place event. We hope you’ll take the time to stroll along the shopping street and enjoy the special goods and delicacies the town has to offer.

Earth Celebration 2017 | Living, Learning, Creating Exhibition
https://www.earthcelebration.jp/en/event/exhibition/

Jul 21 (Fri), 2017 / Last updated : Jul 21 (Fri), 2017 melanie Kodo BlogNarumi Matsuda, Sado Island

“The Zelkova Tree in the Kodo Village Courtyard Garden” by Narumi Matsuda

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When I look at this tree, I wonder how it got so big all of a sudden. Ten years ago when I first started working for Kodo, it was still quite fragile-looking. Now it creates such solid shade.

I heard that this Japanese zelkova (keyaki) tree was planted in March 2001. So this year marks the tree’s 17th summer.

May 13 (Sat), 2017 / Last updated : May 13 (Sat), 2017 melanie Kodo BlogCollaboration, Rehearsal, Sado Island, Tamasaburo Bando, Tomoe Miura, Yugen

“Final Rehearsals Before the Premiere of ‘Yugen’!” by Tomoe Miura

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The brilliant green of new leaves, the gorgeous peonies & wisteria.

Kodo Village is adorned with beautiful nature, with buds blooming one after another.

We are currently deep into rehearsals for our new production, “Yugen.” It is nearly ready for the stage.

We received song instruction from Mr. Hirotada Kamei.

I was astounded by the momentum of his singing and the intense force of his voice.

It is very difficult to express an array of beautiful and courageous sentiments with only intervals and one’s voice.

However, I have learned that the Japanese sense of beauty is truly profound.

With the Hanagi-ryu dance leader, all the dancers, Tamasaburo Bando, and Kodo, there were 35 performers in all taking part in our rehearsals.

This collaboration features beautiful dance, valiant beasts, and Kodo. The group dances are really exquisite on stage.

“Yugen” offers an opportunity to see a new side of Kodo.
Personally, I am really looking forward to it.

Japanese performing arts are expressed by harnessing and combining one’s spirit and physical power.
It is a struggle to maintain the concentration required for this performance, so I am training my mind and body every day.

Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo Special Performance “Yugen” (Japan)

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