Yuichiro Funabashi

“Kodō One Earth Tour: Tsuzumi” premiered in 2020 as the first commemorative work in the Kodo 40th Anniversary Concert Series. In early 2021, the work was filmed for release on DVD and limited release on VOD streaming. The opening number, Dyu-Ha, was created by the late Maki Ishii, a modern composer who was introduced to the precursor of Kodo in the 1970s by conductor Seiji Ozawa. Ishii presented this piece to Kodo as a gift to congratulate the ensemble on its debut in 1981. Tsuzumi also features Ishii’s masterpiece Monochrome and other Kodo signature pieces such as O-daiko, and Yatai-bayashi, coupled with new compositions. Join Kodo as the ensemble traces its origins back to the beginning, to reflect on its history and reaffirm what has shaped Kodo today. Tsuzumi will serve as a cornerstone for Kodo’s next ground-breaking chapter.

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.

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.

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In “Cycles,” Kodo endeavors to capture the feeling of extensive natural cycles, using rhythmic sequences to conjure soul-stirring resonance and infinite supernatural realms. This ambitious, innovative work features all new compositions. Cycles explores the ever-changing rhythms of the natural world. The rising and setting of the sun. The rise and fall of the tides. The waxing and waning of the moon. To do this, Kodo challenged itself with a new approach: composing music based on spatial and mathematical concepts. The performers' souls resonate within these intriguing soundscapes, producing reverberations like never before. Featured Programme: Cycles Ten-Ten, Games Solo, Trio n Lagrange Point Gyoei 5:30 (Encore)