Kodo, the renowned Japanese drumming ensemble, has taken the art of taiko drumming around the world, and its next stop is New Jersey. Widely recognized for its emotionally expressive and spiritually powerful performances, Kodo has spent over four decades introducing audiences to the unique rhythms of Japan’s taiko drum tradition. The group’s journey has included performances at prestigious concert halls and even the Olympics. This week, Kodo will bring its latest show, “Warabe,” to the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on Friday.
The word “Kodo” carries two meanings: it can be translated as “heartbeat,” but the group’s spelling represents “children of the drum.” Since debuting in Berlin in 1981, Kodo has continuously toured the globe and expanded its mission. Today, the ensemble operates three distinct groups. One performs as a large ensemble, another in smaller configurations, and a third focuses on introducing taiko to children.
Speaking through an interpreter, Kodo member Jumpei Nonaka explained that the current tour aims to spotlight the individual performers while also offering a glimpse into the group’s origins on Sado Island, located in the eastern part of the Sea of Japan. Nonaka emphasized that the tour highlights each performer’s character and their unique approach to the taiko instrument.
Taiko refers to a variety of Japanese drums, each with different historical roles, ranging from participation in religious ceremonies to directing warriors’ movements. The drums vary in size and typically feature two skins stretched across a barrel-shaped wooden body. Nonaka described traditional taiko drumming as a ritualistic practice, once used in prayers for good harvests or rain. While Kodo draws from this religious aspect, the group has transformed taiko into a more artistic form of performance.
Although taiko drums have been a part of Japanese culture since the sixth century, it was in the 1950s that taiko drumming began to take its modern form as a performance art. The group Za Ondekoza, based on Sado Island, pioneered this transformation, creating a monastic lifestyle where drummers trained intensely to meet the demands of their performances. This group later evolved into Kodo, which now uses an orchestra of varied drums and instruments to create carefully choreographed, multi-textured compositions. Audiences are often moved not only by the powerful rhythms but also by the athleticism of the performers, who use wooden batons called bachi to strike the drums.
Kodo members undergo extensive training, including rigorous fitness regimens, such as long-distance running, to build the physical endurance required for their performances. Joining the ensemble involves a strict selection process followed by years of intensive training.
Nonaka, who was introduced to the taiko drum at age six through Kodo’s educational program in Japanese schools, became captivated by the instrument. He recalled how the powerful tone of the drum resonated deeply with him, producing both a loud sound and a comforting quality. Nonaka’s dedication led him to be one of 20 musicians selected for Kodo’s two-year apprenticeship program, and he was one of only seven to advance to the next phase.
Reflecting on the rigorous apprenticeship, Nonaka mentioned the challenges of living with others for long periods, which tested both the positive and negative aspects of one’s character. After completing the intense training, Nonaka was the only member of his cohort chosen to perform in the touring ensemble, a responsibility he felt deeply. He explained that he not only carried his own dreams but also those of his fellow apprentices.
Though the pandemic delayed his performing debut, Nonaka finally joined the ensemble on stage in 2022, an emotional moment that moved many of the performers to tears. Since then, he has toured internationally, sharing the taiko tradition with audiences worldwide. Nonaka expressed the invigorating feeling of playing for new audiences, noting that it motivates him and the group to push themselves further in their art.
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