Yoshikazu Fujimoto
Acting
Biography
In 1972, Yoshikazu Fujimoto joined Sado no Kuni Ondekoza, and when the group became Kodo in 1981, he was one of the founding members. For many years, he stood center-stage as the group’s featured O-daiko player and center-man for the Yatai-bayashi climax. He is presently Kodo’s most senior performing member. Yoshikazu Fujimoto is the epitome of the ensemble’s name, which means “Children of the Drum”– he truly loves taiko and always hopes to play with the heart of a child. In 1998, Fujimoto was recognized with the award of inka-no-sho (proof of Dharma transmission) for his proficiency in the demon sword dance, Onikenbai, upheld by Iwasaki Onikenbai in Kitakami, Iwate. Since 2007, he has been the dedicated head of Sado Island’s demon sword dance group, “Iwasaki-den Sado Onikenbai.” In recent years, he has played a large role in educating Kodo apprentices and has also led numerous workshops for the general public. He often makes guest appearances around Japan and performs with Yoko Fujimoto in their song and taiko duo, “Ninin-Angya.” He became a Kodo Distinguished Member in 2012, and that same year was appointed by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs to be a Cultural Envoy, teaching wadaiko in China. In 2018, Fujimoto celebrated the 50th anniversary of his performance career, marking this milestone with a concert and a commemorative book with a common title: “Fujimoto Yoshikazu Taiko no Warabe Goju-nen” (Yoshikazu Fujimoto —Child of the Drum for 50 Years).
Known For
A documentary profiling a Japanese taiko drumming group based in the remote Sado Island, Japan. The film blurs the line between real-life documentary footage of the troupe's training and practice regimes, and staged performances of their varied musical acts, with sets designed by artist Tadanori Yokoo and an additional experimental electronic music score by Toshi Ichiyanagi.
The Ondekoza
Live action documentary footage of a concert by the Kodo drummers of Japan at the Acropolis, Greece, in 1995, with commentary by members of the drum group concerning the concert and the drum troupe
Kodō: Live at the Acropolis
Kodo's first original video performance, recorded at Ryotsu Shimin Kaikan on Sado Island, Japan. Tracklist 1. Zoku 2. Lion 3. Yamauta / O-Daiko 4. Irodori
Kodō
KODO has been exploring the limitless possiblities of the traditional Japanese drum, "Taiko" for over 30 years. In their pursuit of striving to take their theatrical art further, KODO has actively been seeking new collaborations with other musicians and mentors. One result of this can be seen in "One Earth Tour Special", a performance that has Tamasaburo Bando, one of Kabuki's most renowned performers, serving as artistic director. Under Tamasaburo's keen direction, KODO's aim is to reincarnate their performance, not just a mere improvement in quality, but to reinvent their performance with power and grace. It will show KODO's journey back to the basics of drumming to capture the beauty of simple movement. With sold our tours and over 500,000 units sold in the US, KODO will continue to captivate American audiences with the "One Earth Tour Special" release.
Kodō - One Earth Tour Special
This live Video is a recording of the powerful stage finale of "Kodo 30th Anniversary One Earth Tour 2011," held at Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre in December 2011 after an extensive nationwide tour throughout Japan.