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<\/a><\/p>\nMasayuki Sakamoto, the group\u2019s leader, started the performance. With the first strike of his drum, the audience was stilled, the cacophony of our voices giving way to the rhythmic symphony of their Taiko. Three of the group, muscles straining, led the piece, crescendoing wildly before dropping suddenly as the fourth member, Kosuke Urushikubo, leapt forward dramatically, striking a soulful melody on his flute in stark contrast to the deep timbre of the Taiko drums.<\/p>\n
It is this flair for the dramatic that Kodo has been working on with their artistic director, Tamasaburo Bando. A Japanese national treasure, Tamasaburo has been working with the group since 2012 and has so far acted as artistic director for two of Kodo\u2019s shows: Legend and Mystery. Eternity is Tamasaburo\u2019s third and upcoming work with Kodo and seeks to express \u2018mankind\u2019s glimpse of eternity in nature\u2019 through the exposition of dawn, rain, light, wind, clouds, waves, stars, dusk and night.<\/p>\n
Eternity is thus set to be one of Kodo\u2019s most dramatic tours to date, intertwining music, visual art and movement across the stage to create a bold and innovative expression of the Taiko art form. Eternity\u2019s music was composed by the group in collaboration with Tamasaburo over the course of three months in the lead up to the tour, and draws upon these visions of nature and eternity to create brilliant arrangements across the orchestra\u2019s wide range of instruments and voices. Likewise, a new series of costumes has been designed especially for the Eternity tour, which draw on these themes to add to the show\u2019s visual spectacle.<\/p>\n While Kodo tours internationally, their winter tour of Japan is set to be a special one as they perform to a home crowd who understand Taiko not only for its skill and artistry, but for the cultural significance it possesses. In contrast to western audiences who wait patiently for pieces to end before showing their appreciation, Kodo\u2019s Japanese audiences go wild with appreciation throughout each piece and make the performance’s atmosphere even more special.<\/p>\n Taiko is a distinctly Japanese art form and a must see for anyone to wishes to explore Japanese music. Kodo\u2019s Eternity tour is a rare opportunity to see Taiko at its best, performed by one of Japan\u2019s most unique musical groups in the very heart of Fukuoka.<\/p>\n Still not convinced? Watch this clip from Kodo\u2019s Mystery tour to get a better understanding of the treat you\u2019re in for: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8_BHh_OyRVs<\/a><\/p>\n Report and text by Oscar Boyd<\/p>\n Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Eternity<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHakataza Theater, Fukuoka City
\nDec.15 (Mon) Doors: 15.30 Start: 16.00
\nDec.16 (Tue) Doors: 10.30 Start. 11.00
\nTickets: A-seats: \u00a58,000; Special B-seats: \u00a57,500; B-seats: \u00a56,000; C-seats; \u00a54,000
\nInquiries: Hakataza Theater Reservation Center. Tel: 092-263-5555 (10.00~18.00)<\/p>\n