Kodo, the renowned Japanese taiko drumming ensemble, brought its latest performance, Warabe, to the IU Auditorium on Friday night, captivating the audience with their unique rhythm and energy.
The name Kodo carries two meanings in Japanese: one is “heartbeat,” symbolizing the primal source of all rhythm, and the other is a combination of the words for “drum” and “child.” This reflects the group’s desire to approach drumming with the pure, uninhibited heart of a child.
To mark its 40th anniversary in 2021, Kodo created two new works inspired by its name. Tsuzumi was based on the character for “drum,” while Warabe draws from the meaning of “child.” Following a North American tour with Tsuzumi in 2023, Kodo is now bringing Warabe to audiences across the continent through March 29 this year.
Warabe revisits the group’s roots, drawing inspiration from its early years. The performance emphasizes simple yet powerful expressions of taiko drumming, showcasing the distinctive sound, resonance, and physicality that define Kodo. At its core, the ensemble remains “eternal children of the drum.”
In an email interview with Indiana Daily Student, Yui Kamiya, Kodo’s production manager, shared that many of the performers in the current ensemble began their taiko journey in their childhood, playing with local groups in their hometowns. Kodo’s predecessor was founded in 1971 with the goal of creating a school to study traditional performing arts and crafts.
For over 50 years, Sado Island in Japan has served as the group’s creative base, deeply influencing Kodo’s artistic philosophy. The island inspired their pursuit of harmony between people and nature, and the group’s international travels allowed them to learn from diverse cultures, shaping their unique artistic identity.
Since making its debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo has performed more than 7,000 times across five continents. The ensemble spends a third of each year touring internationally, another third performing in Japan, and the remaining time rehearsing and creating new material on Sado Island.
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