Shogo Komatsuzaki – Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble https://www.kodo.or.jp Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. Thu, 28 Feb 2019 01:35:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.8 https://www.kodo.or.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/cropped-24a12099884b9d4a66ba885267151e16-1-32x32.png Shogo Komatsuzaki – Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble https://www.kodo.or.jp 32 32 “Moscow in October. Golden Autumn” by Shogo Komatsuzaki https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/kodo_blog_en/posts-by-member/15481 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 05:05:41 +0000 https://www.kodo.or.jp/?p=15481 I just got back from Moscow. I’ve been there several times before, but it was always at the end of March when it was really cold. On my previous visits, it was cloudy every day and so cold that it was tough to simply go outside. So my impression of Moscow was somewhat heavy, cold, and dull.
But Moscow in October was completely different and this time I was greeted by feel-good autumn sun and breezes.
Photo: Shogo Komatsuzaki

This time we performed at the Japanese Embassy and Grand Kremlin Palace.

We also led a taiko workshop for students at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and local taiko players. The workshop was about two hours long and we also joined them for a social gathering.

I felt the local passion towards music and performing arts through the wonderful support of the organizers, the townscape in Moscow in a milder season, and the smiles of the workshop participants who watched us intently.

It was a thoroughly fulfilling week and by the end of it I really liked Moscow. I was already thinking about coming back and seeing everyone again.


Thank you very much to everyone who looked after us on this visit.
I hope the bonds we made will last a very long time.

Oct. 11 (Thu)–13 (Sat), 2018 Russian Performance Tour “Golden Autumn 2018: Russian Agricultural Exhibition” Presented by Russian Ministry of Agriculture *Private performances

]]> “Kodo ‘Michi’ Iwaki Performance” by Shogo Komatsuzaki https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/kodo_blog_en/posts-by-member/13465 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 06:38:13 +0000 https://www.kodo.or.jp/?p=13465 Aug. 1, 2018Photo: Erika Ueda

There’s only four performances to go on our “Michi” 2018 tour.
We had a cast change for the second half of the tour to swap over the youngest members. Every day is fulfilling for all of us.

Photo: Erika Ueda

Our physical and mental state is different for each performance.

We have to think about drumming, walking, singing, and standing naturally on stage, which is more difficult and nerve-wracking than meets the eye. We have to make sure our body and mind are in the right condition before the curtain rises each day, so when we take a good look at ourselves, we can say, “I am in good form.”

Photo: Erika Ueda

On stage, each and every one of us has different roots and brings our own unique experience to the performance. We give it all we’ve got, right until the last beat, sharing heart and soul as we play our resounding instruments together.

Photo: Erika Ueda

Today, we have a performance in my hometown, Iwaki.

I moved to Sado Island ten years ago to become a Kodo apprentice.

Rather that trying to say my feelings with a lot of words to the special people in my hometown, I’ll try to say what I want to say through my sound on stage.

Photo: Erika UedaPhoto: Erika Ueda

Upcoming “Michi” Performances

Photo: Takashi Okamoto

Cast (July-Aug.)

Motofumi Yamaguchi, Eiichi Saito, Tomohiro Mitome, Kenta Nakagome, Maya Minowa, Shogo Komatsuzaki, Masayasu Maeda, Kodai Yoshida, Seita Saegusa, Yuki Hirata, Chihiro Watanabe, Taiyo Onoda, Shun Takuma

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