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Takuro Susaki #1 Dec 12, 2009 | Takuro Susaki #2 Dec 12, 2009 | Junko Susaki Dec 13, 2009 | Takuro Susaki Dec 13, 2009 | 十河伸一 2009年12月18日

新井和子 2009年12月17日 | 十河伸一 2009年12月17日

洲崎拓郎 2009年12月13日 Takuro Susaki Dec 13, 2009

これは大阪公演二日目より。ちょっとゲージツに走ってみました。

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This is a picture from the 2nd day of the Osaka performances. As you can see, I am trying to be an artist.

洲崎純子 2009年12月13日 Junko Susaki Dec 13, 2009

こちら佐渡では「ちんどん鼓童」を開催しました。今年は中込健太リーダーのもと、高橋勅雄、島内博子、草洋介、内田依利、小見麻梨子というフレッシュチーム。
客席はご家族連れが集まってほのぼのムード。本番後の振り返りでは出演メンバーが皆、お客様の温かな雰囲気を全身に受け止めて演奏したことを心底嬉しそうに話していたのが印象的でした。ダイレクトに伝わる生身のライブ感。小さなライブですが、とても大切なものをお客様からいただける場です。

写真の様子は体験コーナー「ちんどんカーニバル」。
さあみんな、来週も頑張ろうね！

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Here on Sado, we had a live performance called "Chindon Kodon." This year, Kenta became a leader, and Tokio, Hiroko Yosuke K, (Kusasuke) , Eri & Mari joined for this performance. They are all young and new members.

The audiences are mainly families, all ages from kids to adults. After the performance, players were talking happily saying they felt the warm atmosphere made by the audience really encouraged them to perform. This event is a small live concert which gives us important and precious feelings and feedback from the audience.

This picture is from a dance workshop called "Chindon Carnival." Looking forward to next Sunday, too! Come along!

洲崎拓郎 2009年12月12日 Takuro Susaki Dec 12, 2009

K-BEAT HARA様より、以下の投稿を頂きました。おめでとうございます！
We have received a great message from Mr. K-BEAT HARA. Congratulations!

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私事ですが、娘が無事大学に合格いたしました。

実は、その朗報を本日、大阪厚生年金会館前にて受けたのですが、ちょうどその朗報を受け取る直前にバナナおじさんと話しながら、縁起物の写メなるものをいただきました。

名付けて、「開運必勝合格バナナおじさん」でございます。きっとこの御利益のおかげで合格できたのだと信じております。

このことをぜひバナナおじさんにもお知らせしていただきたく思います。

では！

"This is a personal story, but I would like to tell you that my daughter was accepted into the university she applied for.

I heard about it at Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan today, but just before that, I was talking with Banana Odjisan (aka Eiichi Saito) and he sent me a good luck picture by email. I believe that she was accepted because of his email!

I just wanted to let him know about it.

See ya!

洲崎拓郎 2009年12月12日 Takuro Susaki Dec 12, 2009

昨日より、十二月公演ツアーに合流しました。取り急ぎ、公演より一枚お届けします。
裕一郎くん、何を叫んでいるのでしょうか…。

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I joined the Kodo December Concert tour yesterday. Here is a new picture from the performance.
Yuichiro, what are you yelling...?

十河伸一 2009年12月10日 Shinichi Sogo Dec 10, 2009

たたこう館にて、「ちんどん鼓童（こどん）」のリハーサル。
スタッフが太鼓体験に挑戦しています。

詳しくはこちらで
http://www.sadotaiken.jp/yotei_j.html

しんちゃんせんせいより。

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This is a rehearsal for a special performance at the Sado Island Taiko Centre, "Chindon Kodon." The staff played taiko pretending to be workshop participants.

Please come to visit us for the next performance Dec 20, starting from 11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are 1,500 yen for adult and 800 yen for elementary school students. Kids under 7 are free! A special cafe will be open for lunch and cake, too.

Best wishes from Shinchan-sensei

辻小夜 2009年12月6日 Sayo Tsuji Dec 6, 2009

ツアー班が出発した後の、12月の鼓童村。
少し淋しいけれど、佐渡に残っている家族も元気にやっています。

この日、子どもたちをメインに、早めのクリスマス会をやりました。

お母さんたちが一生懸命用意したごちそうに飾り付け。
エプロンシアター。
ちびっこサンタによるクイズ大会。
クイズ大会の商品から、○○レンジャーのマスクが…。

お腹いっぱい、心もいっぱい。子どもにとっては、お友達と遊びまわった一日。お母さんたちにとっては、おしゃべりしまくった一日。

皆さんにとっても、素晴らしいクリスマスになりますよう。

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We had a Christmas party for members on Sado, mainly for members' kids. The mommies prepared yummy food and decorated the dining room at Kodo Village. Little Santa is leading a game.

Everyone is full, tummies and hearts. The kids played a lot and the mommies chatted a lot.

Merry Christmas to all!

お知らせ Information

丸善 名古屋栄店にて鼓童「打男」メンバーのサイン入り写真集販売中。名古屋栄店のみの取扱いです！

～鼓童「打男 DADAN」メンバーサイン入り写真集～

鼓童メンバー（小田洋介・坂本雅幸・吉井盛悟・中込健太・高橋勅雄）のサイン入り写真集「打男 DADAN」（限定10部のみ）を、現在名古屋栄店にて販売しております！

店頭在庫がなくなり次第終了とさせて頂きますので、お求めはお早めに!

（お電話でもご予約承ります）

丸善 インフィメーション
http://www.maruzen.co.jp/Blog/Blog/maruzen02/P/8898.aspx

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New photo book "DADAN" is now on sale. And now, some books with members' autographs are available exclusively at Maruzen in Sakae, Nagoya.

The books were signed by Yosuke Oda, Masayuki Sakamoto, Shogo Yoshii, Kenta Nakagome and Tokio Takahashi.

Buy one if you can!

Maruzen Information (in Japanese only).
http://www.maruzen.co.jp/Blog/Blog/maruzen02/P/8898.aspx

洲崎拓郎 2009年12月4日 Takuro Susaki Dec 4, 2009

十二月公演ツアー班、出発いたしました。見送るのはスタッフ、そしてたたこう館ぷれぜんつ「ちんどん鼓童（こどん）」に出演するメンバー達。とーってっけって、とーってっけて、という聞き慣れない新曲がほのぼの流れる中、まずは新潟公演へ向けツアーの始まりです。

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The December Concert tour members have just left Kodo Village. Staff and players for another project "Chindon Kodon" were seeing them off. Serenaded by a unfamiliar rhythm "To-ttekkete To-ttekkete" played by the send-off members, the tour members set off for the Niigata performance.

Melanie Taylor Nov 27, 2009

I am pleased to announce Kodo's new e-newsletter in English will be launched next week. Please sign up to receive monthly from Dec 09. We look forward to keeping in touch! Yoroshiku!

Kodo's new electronic newsletter 'Kodo e-News'

Only 5 days until December Concerts kick off on Sado. I am working in the office with the bright autumn sun and taiko sounds from rehearsals coming through the window. No snow at Kodo Village yet, we are all well on Sado and looking forward to seeing everyone at opening night on Sado, and on the tour. T'is the season!

Kodo December Concerts 2009

山口幹文 2009年11月23日 Motofumi Yamaguchi Nov 23, 2009

今回使用したのは篠笛ではなく、蘭情さんの手による真竹製の「真笛（まこぶえ）」です。
三年ほど前からメインの笛として使っていますが、音色が豊かで力強く遠鳴りがするので、独奏はもちろんのこと太鼓と合わせるのにこれ以上の笛はありません。

CDの中では「山唄」が真笛の特徴を表していると思います。
滅多に使わない巨大な一本調子を使ったので、吹き終わって目が眩みました。

笛も体力です。
いやほんと。

音大工 | 山口幹文 一管風月

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On this album, I did not use "shinobue," but used "mako-bue," which is another type of handmade Japanese flute by Ranjo-san, a great flute craftsman. I started to play it about 3 years ago as my main flute. It has a rich tone and sounds powerful so I use it not only for solo pieces, but also with drums. This is the best flute ever.

"Yama-uta" shows the features of this flute the most among all the pieces on the album. For this, I played a big ippon-choshi (#1) flute, which I hardly ever play. I felt dizzy after I recorded it.

Shinobue requires physical strength, too.
Really, it's true.

Kodo | Motofumi Yamaguchi Debut Solo Album Ikkan Fugetsu on sale

洲崎拓郎 2009年11月23日 Takuro Susaki Nov 23, 2009

映像収録から一年五ヶ月を経て、ようやく下記のリンク先のようなものを制作しました。かくもお待たせして申し訳ない限りですが、ご覧いただければ幸いです。

藤本容子（鼓童）morisa komorisa インタビュー

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1 year and 5 months have passed since we started making a promotion video for our singer, Yoko Fujimoto's 1st solo album, "morisa komorisa, " and finally, we finished it! Thanks for your patience. We hope you enjoy it.

Yoko Fujimoto (Kodo) morisa komorisa Interviews (It is in Japanese.)

Melanie Taylor Nov. 15 2009 メラニー・テイラー 2009年11月15日

It was a cold weekend on Sado, and the gales and waves on Sunday caused all the ferries between here and Niigata to be cancelled. Luckily the Ogi Sangyo Matsuri was held indoors and the weather didn't stop the entertainment. Natsuki, Kenta, Tokio and Eri performed for a enthusiastic crowd and it was smiles all round.

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週末の佐渡は寒くて、日曜日の暴風と波で佐渡と新潟のフェリーはすべて欠航になりました。幸運なことに小木地区の産業祭りは屋内で、天気が悪くても舞台に影響はありませんでした。鼓童の菜月、健太、勅雄、依利が演奏して、情熱的なお客さんに迎えられて、舞台上と客席はみんなが笑顔でした。

After the show the players were giving autographs, and were signing CDs and t-shirts, but some fans surprised them by asking for their arms and clothes to be signed. This warm reception was the perfect welcome back to the cast who just returned from the One Earth Tour to Sado 3 days before.

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演奏後にメンバーはサイン会でCDとTシャツにサインをしていましたが、私服と腕にもサインをおねがいされてびっくりでした。
三日前にワン・アース・ツアーから佐渡に戻ってきたばかりの4人にはとてもあたたかいお迎えでした。

メラニー・テイラー 2009年10月7日 Melanie Taylor Oct 7, 2009

千絵子さんが食堂で小包みを楽しそうで開けていたので見てみると、なんと砂畑好江のお母さんから手作りの着物が入っていました！
これは千絵子さんのご親戚の古い着物からパッチワークしてくださったものだそうです。染め直してものも含めています。来てみると「ゆきあひ」楽しみー！と素敵な笑顔になりました。
この衣装が舞台でデビューするのはこの秋の「ゆきあひ」公演での西馬音内の演目。笠をかぶって踊っている様子をぜひ公演でお楽しみください。

鼓童 | 小島千絵子「ゆきあひ」

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I walked past Chieko opening a package with a delighted look, and inside was a kimono that was handmade by Yoshie Sunahata's mum! It is patchworked from Chieko's relatives kimono, including some pieces that were dyed to give them new life. This costume is going to make its debut at Chieko's upcoming Yukiai shows when she dances 'Nishimonai'. If you want to see how it looks properly worn, and in full dance motion, she hopes you'll come and see the show.

Kodo | Chieko Kojima Solo 'Yukiai Live'

Melanie Taylor Oct 6, 2009 メラニー・テイラー 2009年10月6日

9月30日〜10月4日に鼓童塾2009を行いました。今年は少人数で熱き毎日でした。途中で雨も降りましたが最後の日はすばらしい青空で朝の体操とジョギングを楽しめました。

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Kodo Juku 2009 was held from Sep 30 til Oct 4. This year was a small group but full-of-fun everyday. We had some rain, but the last day was blessed with a gorgeous blue sky for our morning streching and jog.

研修生が朝昼晩の食事を担当し、最後の夕食は食べさすまでのおもてなしをみせてくれました。しんごくん、明日みなさんが帰るからブルーなの？

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The apprentices looked after our meals, and on the last night were so hospitable as to feed some guests. Shingo, are you blue because everyone goes home tomorrow?

塾生さんの中でブルーマングループの方がいました。
鼓童塾のあだ名はあおちゃんです。今度東京のブルーマン公演を観にいく方、あおちゃんがどれかあたってみてね。

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Actually, one of the participants was from the Blueman group. His Kodo Juku nickname was naturally Ao-chan.
If you go to the show in Tokyo, see if you can pick which one he is.

http://blueman.jp/

Melanie Taylor Sep 28, 2009

Hello from the Kodo Office. We just made an Official Facebook Page for Kodo, we hope you will check it out!
Kodo 鼓童| Facebook

Please visit often to keep in touch with us. We would really like to hear your feedback through this interactive forum.

Melanie Taylor Sep. 12 2009

Tomorrow is the finale of the new show 'Ubusuna'.

If you are in Kansai, trust me, head to Ayabe in Kyoto for it tomorrow. I went on Wednesday in Osaka and the energy it created between stage and audience gave me goosebumps and a huge smile. There are still tickets left! It's a rare chance to see the top 5 Kodo players on stage, unless you came to our shows in Australia earlier this year. And this north Kyoto show is in Yoshikazu's hometown, so the show is bound to be an wonderful home crowd audience.

Back in the office, we are working away to the sound of the Dadan rehearsals. This is the third time kabuki legend Tamasaburo Bando has directed Kodo, and this show is provocative to say the least. Here is an article about this special project from yesterday's paper:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20090911TDY14002.htm

There are still tickets left, and I have no rehearsal pictures to tempt you with. We are keeping these visuals underwraps to make for a surprising opening night on the 19th. We hope you will come along for this raw, young, masculine Kodo show. 5 shows from Sep 19, let your curiosity get the better of you, come see for yourself.

メラニー・テイラー 2009年8月29日 Melanie Taylor August 29, 2009

8月29〜30日は小木港祭りがあって29日は小木祭り太鼓に鼓童と参加しました。12:00出発して、最初の祭り太鼓は小木総合福祉センターのつくしの皆様のためでした。

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This weekend was the Ogi Port Festival (Ogi Minato Matsuri), and the 29th was the day for Ogi Matsuri Daiko, which I joined in with the other Kodo members. Our cart set off at noon and our first stop was Ogi's Welfare Centre Tsukushi.

この日は鼓童キッズもお祭りを盛り上げてくれました。誕生日が祭りの賢太郎くんもお父さんにまけないようにたたいていました。

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The Kodo kids joined in helping us put a beat to the festival. Here is a shot of birthday boy Kentaro playing alongside his dad.

小木町のあっちこっち太鼓をたたいてきました。地域のみなさんに感謝の気持ちでいっぱいで　どん・どん・どん・どんがあ・り・が・とー！という響きに聞こえていただけたらうれしいです。

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We hauled the cart all over Ogi playing taiko non-stop. We really appreciate Ogi's support, and I hope everyone heard the DON DON DON DON beats as A-RI-GA-TO!

洲崎拓郎 2009年8月3日 Takuro Susaki Aug. 3, 2009

もうご覧頂けたかもしれませんが、アース・セレブレーションのサイトに、鼓童とBløfの共演映像「Meer Van Jou」を掲載しました。
（オランダ語をカタカナ表記するのは困難なんですが、無理を承知で書くならば「ミール・バン・ヤウ」でしょうか。オランダ語に堪能な方がいらっしゃいましたら、コメントお願いします。）

この曲、我らが今海一樹くんが満員のお客さんとコール＆レスポンスをしております。
ECでも、是非ご来場頂いた皆様とこれを再現したいのです。この映像を見て、練習しておいて下さいますよう、切にお願い申し上げます。

後半の「お〜うお〜うお〜お〜」ってところです。なにとぞなにとぞ…。

Bløf en Kodo 'East meets West' | Meer Van Jou

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You may have already seen the collaboration of Kodo and Bløf, "Meer Van Jou" on our website.

Kazuki Imagai sang this to the sold-out audience in call and response style in our previous collaboration.

We would like to do the same thing with you all at Shiroyama concert. Please watch this movie and practice it.

The part is the latter half "wow, wow...," please...

Bløf en Kodo 'East meets West' | Meer Van Jou

Melanie Taylor July 29, 2009

Now we are back on Sado Island after a wonderful European tour. Thank you to all of you who came to see our One Earth Tour Performance, and Monoprism in Rome, too.
Here are a few shots from our final tour destination, Switzerland.
Our dear promotors took us to Rhine Falls on a day trip.

Wondering why Yosuke looks so happy?

That was his face standing on top of this rock in the middle of the falls!

This refreshing day trip was just what we needed, and with the thunder and lightning accompanying our Zurich show the next day, we certainly had a powerful end to our tour.
Now we are back in Japan, and rehearsals for Earth Celebration and our fall shows Ubusuna and Dadan are in full swing.
We hope to see you in August on Sado, or in September on tour!

Melanie Taylor July 12, 2009

Here is a shot of Kenzo and a lot of legs on the bus on our way from Antwerp to Zurich.
It takes almost as long as flying back to Japan, so to get a bit of sleep, or just to ease the strain on their backs, a lot of members choose to lie down on the bus.
Trying to get to the restroom for those still awake was a challenge, some went over like Indiana Jones, some crawled under like army soldiers.
It was still a welcome change from airports and airplanes, hence the smile on Kenzo's face.

Melanie Taylor July 9, 2009

I wanted to share this picture from a couple of weeks ago, taken after the first show we had in Lyon at the festival "Les nuits de Fourviere".

After the applause died down (and the crowd stopped throwing cushions at the stage!) all the cast were presented with a commemorative bottle of Beaujolias wine. These shows were performed in a historic Roman amphitheatre to sold out crowds. We had a wonderful time. Since then we have been from France to Spain, and now we are in Antwerp. 2 shows to go until we head back to Japan. If you haven't seen this tour yet, and you are near Antwerp or Zurich, hope to see you there!

Melanie Taylor June 21, 2009

Here we are in Lyon, wearing long sleeves for the first time in a month on a cool summer. One might expect to hear accordians playing in the south of France, but the Kodo members were filing the air with melodies played on empty wine glasses at this cobblestone alley restaurant.

Tomorrow night we perform at Les Nuits de Fourviere in an ancient amphitheatre. Touring in the summer is great for getting a lot of fresh air and enjoying all kinds of street performances. I look forward to seeing these new music encounters adding new spice to new compositions to come.

見留知弘 2009年6月9日 Tomohiro Mitome June 9, 2009

ギリシャ、アテネでのオフ。

鼓童としては3回目のギリシャ公演ですが、自分は1995年のアクロポリスライブ以来なので、14年ぶりです。

パルテノン神殿のすぐ下にある、イロド・アティコス音楽堂で公演した模様がビデオで発売されています。

撮影でパルテノン神殿に入った時には、ここまで大々的に修復工事はしていなかったと思います。ビデオで確認してみて下さい。

30度以上の暑さの、アテネより。

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Day off in Athens, Greece

Kodo has performed 3 times in Greece, and for me, it has been taken 14 years since my latest performance in Acropolis in 1995.

We have a live performance video at Odeon of Herodos Atticusunder just beneath Parthenon.

When I got into Parthenon for the filming, the restoration here was not done that much. Please check it by the video!

From Athens, it is more than 30 degree.

洲崎拓郎 2009年6月9日 Takuro Susaki June 9, 2009

アテネです。日中に外に出ていると、身体から水分が蒸発していく音が聞こえます。しゅ〜。

失った水分を補給すべく、夜の町に彷徨い出ました。写真は通りかかって「おっ」と声が出る美しさの小さなバー。いただいたのは5年ものと7年もののブランデーでございます。

隣に座っていたのが舞台監督のドバシくん、というところ以外は素晴らしい夜でございました。あ、お互い様か。

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We are in Athens now. I can hear the sound of evaporation from our body while I am outside in daytime...　Shuuuu...

To replenish the moisture, I wandered in the night town. We found a cozy, nice and small bar. I had brandy which is for 5 to 7 years old.

Mr. Dobashi, our stage manager, was next to me..., except that, it was a wonderful night. Oh, he must have same thought , too.

見留知弘 2009年6月7日 Tomohiro Mitome June 7, 2009

イギリス、ロンドン公演2日目

お昼過ぎにバッキンガム宮殿の所を通ったら、ちょうど衛兵交代の帰る時間にあたり、撮影しました。

ロンドンは天気が不安定で、晴れていたかと思えば、急に雨が降り出したり、傘が手放せなかったです。

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2nd performance in London, England.

I passed in front of the Buckingham Palace just on time for "Changing the Guard," so then, I took this picture.

The weather is not stable in London. Once it is sunny, but suddenly it becomes shower. I have to have my umbrella with me all the time.

見留知弘 2009年6月3日 Tomohiro Mitome June 3, 2009

クロアチア、ザグレブでの公演

昨日はバスケットの試合会場。今日は鼓童のコンサート会場に早変わり。舞台設営は、試合終了後の夜中から始まったそうです。

舞台と一階の客席は、バスケットコートの上にシートが敷かれ、座席が設営されていました。

3,000人近いお客様が入り、15分押しの開演。
11年ぶりのクロアチア公演、盛り上がりました!!

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Performance in Croatia and Zagreb

A basketball game was played yesterday, and today, the arena had a quick change to Kodo concert hall. I heard that the stage construction started in the middle of night after the game.

The basketball court was covered for the stage and the first floor seats.

There were near by 3,000 people in the audience and the concert started 15 minutes late. It was a great show after 11 year's interval.

見留知弘 2009年6月2日その2 Tomohiro Mitome June 2, 2009

翌日公演が行われるザグレブのアリーナで、バスケットの試合が行われるという事で、観戦して来ました!

クロアチアはバスケットが強く、NBA選手も多いそうです。
試合は地元チームが勝ちましたが、おおぉーと思ったのが、アウェーの応援の人達は人数が少ないのに、地元の人たちの声援よりまとまっていて、凄く声も大きくて、盛り上がってきたら、観客同士の野次のやりあいで、一触即発状態!

お行儀の悪いジェスチャーの見せ合いで、ついにはフェンス越しで掴み合いまで始まってしまいました。警官隊に阻止されて、アウェーの人達は警官隊に包囲されながらもまだ挑発行為。

試合終了後、最後のお客さんが出るまで包囲されてました!!

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I went to see basketball game in Zagreb Arena, where we will perform tomorrow.

In Croatia, they are very good at basketball and there are many NBA players. A home team won this game. A group of fans from away team is much smaller than the home team, but the fans from away team were cheering loudly and rising more than the fans from home team. Then, both crowds of fans started to boo each other. It was almost hair-trigger!

Along with this bad manner, finally, they started to fight over the fence. The police came out to stop. But the fans from away team still took a provocative attitude, even though they were surrounded by the police.

After the game, they were surrounded until the last audience were out from the arena.

見留知弘 2009年6月2日その1 Tomohiro Mitome June 2, 2009 - Part 1

クロアチア大使公邸に訪問してまいりました!
大使も赴任されてまだ3週間で、お忙しい時間の中、昼食をご馳走して頂きました。

こちらで食事を作ってくださったシェフ、なんとワンアースキャラバンでロシアに伺った際にも、大使公邸で食事を作って下さった方でした。今度こちらに赴任されたそうで、栄一さんと勝くんが、久しぶりの再会となりました。

こんな事ってあるんですね〜。

---

We have visited the Croatia Ambassador Official Residence. The ambassador has just came to Croatia 3 weeks before and must be busy, but took care of us well for lunch.

Believe or not, the chef, cooked lunch for us, is the chef who cooked for us during One Earth Caravan in Russia. He moved to Croatia now. Eiichi and Masaru met him again after a long time.

What a miracle!

吉井盛悟 2009年6月2日 Shogo Yoshii June 2, 2009

クロアチアにいます。ツアーが始まってから約2週間…なかなか濃いぃいぃぃツアーです。

つい最近までイタリアにいました! イタリア報告します!!

ローマ、バチカン市国を歩き…フィレンツェの美術館を訪れてきました。
圧倒的な歴史力の前に唖然としました。コロッセオ…ドゥオーモ…様々な彫刻、絵画…。

ルネサンスという時代のエネルギーの強さにむせ返るような心地さえ覚えました。
このような心地、ブラジルでも感じた記憶があります。
サンバの練習会場の夜。耳を貫くような音とひしめき合う人。
これらは人間が持つエネルギーの一斉放出とでも言うべきか…。

今の自分にとって「表現」という言葉は妙に安っぽく感じられ、しかし「芸術は爆発だ!」という手垢のついた言葉が妙に説得力のあるものとなっています。何かに向かう「ひたむきさ」これこそが不易流行の要素である…そう感じました。
!!!

日本は、インフルエンザは平気ですか?
皆さんもお身体に気をつけてくださいね!!!

---

I am now in Croatia. It has passed 2 weeks since our tour started..., this is quite a hot, hot tour!

We were in Italy until recently. I will report the days in Italy, then.

I walked around in Rome and Vatican, and visited the museum in Florence. I was amazed by the power of its history..., Colosseo, Duomo..., various sculptures, paintings, etc.

I also felt pleasant to be choked by the strength of energy in the age of Renaissance.

I remember that I also felt this kind of feeling in Brazil; the night of samba practice hall, the sound going through my ears and the crowd of people. I would rather say that this is a discharge of human's energy....

For me, the word "expression" is too cheap. One Japanese artist said, "The art is an explosion" like a proverb and this is persuasive for me very much. "Earnestness" is an element of the invariant thing, I think.

How are you, everyone? Are you away from influenza? Please take care of yourself!!!

Melanie Taylor May 18, 2009

Just to show that we are having some down time too, here are some photos from our first day off in Europe. 5 of us took a train from Firenze to Pisa. We had pizza, went up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and had time to relax on the lawns outside the Duormo. The weather was picture perfect! Tomorrow night we have our second show, in Reggio Emilia, a picturesque town with beautiful streets! We are all doing well! More news soon!

Melanie Taylor May 13, 2009 メラニー・テイラー 2009年5月13日

I am happy to announce the One Earth Tour has arrived safely in Milan, Italy to start the Europe 2009 Ekkyo- Trans-border tour.

Our first show is on May 15th in Florence/Firenze and in an hour or so we are off to unpack all our drums into our tour truck. They have travelled across the Atlantic Ocean from the USA, through to Italy.

Last week during our rehearsals on Sado, another member had a birthday on May 7, Eiichi. Here he is with my spontaneous creation: a "banana glasses" cake. The chips are banana chocolate chip.
After a lot of cake, everyone is feeling festive for our festival tour.
For everyone in Europe, we look forward to seeing you at the shows soon!

Kodo | One Earth Tour Schedule

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ワンアースツア―班は無事にイタリア ミラノに到着しましたと嬉しく報告いたします。ヨーロッパ2009 越境のツア―いよいよ初日です。

最初の公演は5月15日フィレンツェで、後一時間ぐらいで　太鼓の荷物をトラックに積み替えに行きます。太鼓たちは北米から大西洋を渡って　イタリアまでやってきました。

先週佐渡でのリハーサル期間中に、もう一人誕生日を迎えたメンバーがいます：栄一さん。
私の自発的な作品と記念撮影。バナナ眼鏡ケーキとのショットです。飾りはバナナチョコチップ。先週はバースデーケーキがいっぱいで、フェスティバルいっぱいのツア―にむけて皆明るい気分です。
ヨーロッパで私達をお待ちしてくださっている皆様。後少しで公演で会えるのを楽しみにしております！

鼓童 | ワン・アース・ツアー 公演スケジュール

洲崎拓郎 2009年5月13日 Takuro Susaki May 13, 2009

約半月、更新がぱったりと途絶えて申し訳ありません。
この間、ヨーロッパツアー班は舞台稽古を経て旅立ち、交流公演班も旅立ち、いつの間にやら鼓童村は静かになってしまいました。

お詫びと言いますか、更新が途絶えた直接の原因と申しますか、アース・セレブレーションのサイト、新しくなりましたのでお楽しみ下さい。
皆様にとって見易くなっていれば、と思っております。

また、アーカイブのページにも力を入れてみました。アース・セレブレーションは今年で22年目。21年分の蓄積は、手前味噌になりますけど少なくない財産です。今まで公開されずに埋もれていた写真を、少しずつでも充実して皆様にお届けできれば、と思っています。

英語ページは5月20日に公開予定です。ひー。

アース・セレブレーション

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We are sorry that we have not updated the website for about half a month.
In this time, Europe Tour members went through the stage rehearsal and started on their journey, and so do School Tour members. Now, Kodo Village is suddenly quiet.

To show our apology, or to be excused for this because of our work for Earth Celebration website, please see the newest event site, which is easy to see for everyone.

We also made efforts to improve the pages of the Archive. Earth Celebration has its 22nd anniversary this year. The accumulation of 21 years is a big collection of materials. We are now trying to show our photos, which were buried until now, even little by little.

An English website is scheduled to open to the public on May 20. Gee!

Earth Celebration

見留知弘 2009年5月12日 Tomohiro Mitome May 12, 2009

ヨーロッパツアーの移動日です。

成田発 → ウィーン経由 → ミラノへ。

離陸してから間もなく、佐渡の上空近くを通過していきました!

新型インフルエンザの事もあり、機内も機外も皆マスク着用での移動です。あまり海外ではマスク自体を見かけないし、こちらの方々は、誰もマスクをしていないので、ジロジロと見られましたが、背に腹はかえられません。

無事に荷物も受け取り、バスに乗ってホテルへ移動。
旅の始まりです。

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Today, we traveled from Narita to Milan via Vienna.

Soon after the airplane took off, we passed over Sado Island.

Because of the new influenza, we put masks on inside & outside of the airplane. These masks are not popular outside of Japan and many people were staring at us, but there is nothing more we can do.

We received our luggage safely and went to the hotel by bus.

Our tour has just started.

見留知弘 2009年5月9日 Tomohiro Mitome May 9, 2009

ただいまヨーロッパツアーに向けて、アミューズメント佐渡にて舞台稽古中です。

今日は、武志さんと裕一郎くんがお誕生日で、メンバー手作りのケーキで、お祝いしました。巴はチョコレートソースだそうです。

---

We are now at Amusement Sado, rehearsing for the upcoming Europe Tour.

Today, Takeshi and Yuichiro had their birthday and we celebrated them with a homemade cake. The Tomoe mark is drawn by chocolate.

Melanie Taylor Apr 13, 2009

On the last weekend of March we had members of Zenshin Daiko, Maui, Hawaii come to visit us on Sado. We showed them around Kodo Village, held taiko and soba workshops at the Sado Island Taiko Centre, and took them to the Apprentice Centre for exchange with this year's 2nd year apprentices.

Here are the members with Eiichi and the apprentices. They all look warm after a finale session where everyone played Irodori together.
But even the last week of March was still wintery on Sado and we farewelled them in a blizzard.

Not only did the kids experience Japan and Sado, but for a lot of them it was their first snow experience too!
It was certainly a memorable day for all involved! We hope to see them again in sunny Maui next time!

洲崎拓郎 2009年4月8日 Takuro Susaki April 8, 2009

すっかり更新が滞っていてすみません。北米ツアーメンバーも無事帰国し、新研修生も迎え、新たな年度が始まりました。

この日、恒例の「村民行事」が行われました。中身は、鼓童村敷地内の、まあ、整備のようなものですね。

また、昨年は7月に行った「御太鼓あそび」。今年は村民行事に併せてこの日に行われました。昨年の様子はこちら。

齊藤栄一、若いモンに混じって楽しそうであります。昨年は中庭の欅の廻りをぐるりと一周しただけでしたが、今年は坂道を数百メートル登った和泉邸まで担いでみました。写真は楽しそうですが、重さはずしりと肩に食い込み、「明日からの稽古は大丈夫か？」と心配になるほど。

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I'm sorry that we have not updated the weblog for a long time. Members of our North America Tour have returned home safely, and new apprentices have came over to Sado. A new season has just started.

On this day, our annual event called "Sonmin Gyoji (The Villagers' Event) " was
held. It is like a maintenance event of the land of Kodo Village.

We also had "O-taiko Asobi (Fun with our Sacred Drum)", which we did in July last year, too. This year, we did it on the same day as Sonmin Gyoji. To see the last year's O-taiko Asobi, please click here.

Eiichi looks like he is having a lot of fun with young members. We only went around the zelkova tree in the courtyard last year, but this year, we climbed up the slope to Izumi Tei, a guest house, which is about 100m away from the courtyard. You might think that we are enjoying ourselves so much just looking at this picture, but the drum is so heavy that this weight digs into our shoulders and we are almost all worried about being able to function at the next day's practice.

また、担いだ後は中庭に太鼓様を据え置き、スタッフも交えて代わる代わる叩いたりしました。普段は太鼓を叩かない、あの方もちょっと照れくさそうに太鼓に向かっておりました。ちょっと珍しい、お宝写真ですかね。

---

After we carried the drum, we settle it down in the middle of courtyard and all played it by taking turns, staff and players alike. Motofumi Yamaguchi, who doesn't usually play taiko, faced it looking a little embarrassed. This could be an unusual and valuable photograph.

藤本容子 2009年3月3日 Yoko Fujimoto Mar 3, 2009

オーストラリアの旅。TaikOZとの共演。
またとない喜びと、そして笑いに満ちた旅の日々でした。

舞台は、双方の演目を取り混ぜがっぷり四つに組んだ、豪壮かつ優美、ユーモアも点在する、内容の充実した色彩豊かなものとなりました。
鼓童の演目に取り組んだ中から、TaikOZの2人を紹介します。
写真は「花八丈」組の千絵子とケリン・ジョイス、「鬼剣舞」組の吉利とアントン・ロック。ケリンは「西馬音内盆踊り」でも、千絵子と二人、幻想的な美しい世界を踊りきりました。
2人とも本当に熱心で、佐渡にも通い、短い間に習得する力の素晴らしさに、鼓童も感嘆！の一言でした。

この2人に限らず、TaikOZのみなさんの、日本文化に対する憧れと敬意が、舞台のすみずみ、対応のすみずみにまで行き渡っていた今回の旅でした。
本当にうれしく、また、ありがたい気持ちでいっぱいになりました。
今回しっかりと築くことのできた友情を第一歩として、これから末永いご縁を深めてゆきたく思います。
それにしても、素晴らしい舞台でした。日本のみなさんにも観ていただく機会があったらなあー。

---

Our trip to Australia. Our collaboration with TaikOz.
An adventure brimming with day after day of unparalleled joy and laughter.

On stage, both groups had to learn to firmly grasp each other's pieces we had arranged especially for the shows, and the result was a colorful, bold program dotted with splendour, grace, and humour.
I would like to introduce two TaikOz players from some of the Kodo pieces TaikOz challenged. The photos below show Team 'Hana Hachijo' members Chieko and Kerryn, and Team 'Onikenbai' members Yoshikazu and Anton. Kerryn also performed in 'Nishimonai' with Chieko; together they conjured a beautiful, surreal world on stage with their dance.
Both Kerryn and Anton were so driven, and came to rehearse on Sado. Kodo was astonished by their talent for learning so well in such a short time!

All the members of TaikOz showed so much admiration and respect for Japanese culture, and it showed in every aspect of their performance and care and attention to us throughout our stay.
It made me so happy, and filled with gratitude.
This time has been the first strong step in which we built strong foundations of friendship with their group, and I look forward to deepening our bond with them as the years go by.
All feelings aside, it really was a wonderful concert. I would love to have a chance to show everyone in Japan our work.

演じきったあとの楽屋で（シドニー）

---

After Hana Hachijo in the dressing room (Sydney)

楽屋も二人で「剣舞ルーム」（シドニー）

---

Together off stage, sharing the 'Kenbai Room' (Sydney)

打ち上げパーティーで、「西馬音内」フィーバー（メルボルン／吉利・容子の部屋にて）

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At the after party it was 'Nishimonai Fever' (@ Yoshikazu and Yoko's room, Melbourne)

山口康子 2009年3月3日 Yasuko Yamaguchi Mar 3, 2009

今日のお昼ごはんは桃の節句にちなんで、
こんな春らしいお寿司でした。

食当の万理さん、和子さん、ありがとう〜

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Today is a Girl's Festival. We had sushi for lunch to celebrate for new spring season.

Thank you, today's chefs, Mari and Kazuko!

松浦充長 2009年3月1日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Mar 1, 2009

〜海外でのグッズの様子〜

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-Kodo Merchandize Shop at the lobby-

いや〜お客様の勢いに押されそうです。
(￣▽￣；)

写真手前の女性は鼓童スタッフの安藤良子（身長153cm）、XSのTシャツを着ております

ちなみに鼓童オンラインストア掲載画像で…。
砂畑好江（身長162cm）はMサイズ
宮崎正美（身長159cm）はSサイズ
だそうです。

---

Oh, no, we were almost knocked down by customer's power.
(￣▽￣；)

At the front in this photo, Yoshiko Ando, a Kodo staff, is 153cm and wearing XS size T-shirt.

By the way, in Kodo Online Store website, you are able to see M size on Yoshie Sunahata (162cm) and S size on Masami Miyazaki (159cm).
*Sorry that Kodo Online Store is Japanese only.

とんちぼ（根岸俊昭） 2009年2月28日 Tonchibo (Toshiaki Negishi) Feb 28, 2009

森林組合の方にお願いして、鼓童村の樹木の伐採を行いました。

見事に倒れて行きます。
見ているメンバーも大盛り上がりです。

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We called the Forestry Cooperateve staff to cut off the trees in Kodo Village.

They fell down splendidly. The audience rose up to hurray!

松浦充長 2009年2月26日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 26, 2009

会館によってさまざまな看板やポスターがあります。
これを見てお客様がチケットを買ってくれんですね〜。

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There are various kinds of signboards and posters by the the theater. People see them and buy concert tickets.

Melanie Taylor Feb 26, 2009

Yesterday was the last day of our workshops and concerts in Australia, and the finale took place at the beautiful new Melbourne Recital Centre's Elisabeth Murdoch Hall.
In the morning, Eiichi taught a taiko workshop, and we met a lot of taiko enthusiasts from Melbourne and Tasmania there.

Straight after, Motofumi gave some shinobue tips to a group of budding flautists in a mini-workshop, and treated them to an up close serenade.

Here is the cast 2 minutes after the encore and curtain call of our final show last night. Big smiles all around!
Thank you to everyone who welcomed us so warmly to Australia! And thank you TaikOz for inviting us to play!

石塚充 2009年2月25日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 25, 2009

移動日〜その１〜

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A Traveling Day - No.1

頭をポリポリかきながら、何かを深く思案中の船橋裕一郎。
よっぽどの難題をかかえているのか?!

・・・と、思いきや
その形のまんまでぐっすりお休みになられているようでした。

---

Scratching his head, Yuichiro Funabashi looked like he was thinking deeply.
Did he have any difficult problem?

Well, he was just sleeping deeply in this posture.

移動日〜その２〜

---

A Traveling Day - No.2

買ったばかりのiPodに取り込んだ画像を見せびらかしながら、某アイドルユニットについて熱弁をふるう舞台監督。

前の方の席なのに、わざわざ最後尾まで押しかけて猛アピール。
ちょっぴり恥ずかしそうに、うろ覚えの振り付けまで披露してくれました。

彼女たちは、こうやってブレイクしていったんだなぁ…。

---

Our stage manager was showing off a image picture taken into his new iPod,
and making a speech about a unit of 2 female singers.

He was sitting in front seat, but came to the backward and appealed it. He
looked a little shameful, but showed their choreography with his faint
memory.

They had became a hit by someone like him.

移動日〜その３〜

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A Traveling Day - No.3

長い長いバス移動。

最後尾の席を事務所と化して仕事する人。
英語の本を読む人。
辞書を片手に英語の本・・と思いきや、「漢字が読めない〜」と、日本語の本を読んでる人。
昨日の舞台の録画をみて復習する人。
昨日の舞台を録音したもので復習・・と思いきや、そのまま深い眠りに落ちてる人。
なにやら物憂げな人。
ひたすら熟睡する人。
バスに私物を持ち込みまくって自分の部屋と化して爆睡する人。

すごし方はさまざまです。

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It's a long, long trip.

A person who is opening his office in the backward seat of the bus.
A person who is reading an English book.
A person who is reading an English book with his dictionary..., oops, he is
just reading a Japanese book as he is saying "I cannot read Kanji (Chinese
character)."
A person who is reviewing as seeing last night's performance.
A person who is reviewing as listening last night's sound..., oops, he is
sinking into a deep sleep.
A person who is gloomy.
A person who is just in deep dreaming.
A person who brings his private things in his bus seat and makes it as it is
like his room.

Various ways to spend a time in a bus.

Melanie Taylor Feb 25, 2009

What better way to show joy in a loud way that to beat a drum like you a wielding a slegehammer?
Anton, Tom and Eiichi are acting out the pounding of mochi in this piece by TaikOz, 'Circle Dance', while Ian 'turns the rice over'.
It is a very fast and furious scene which had audiences on the edge of their seats each night in Australia concerts over the past 5 days, or ducking for cover if they were right up by the furiously twirling bats in the front row.
I am sure Eiichi will have a few new tricks for our new year Mochi making in 2010!

Photo by Karen Steains

石塚充 2009年2月24日その2 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 24 #2

「違うよ。ちょっとうつぶせになりたいだけなんだ。」


と、言いつつ、

昨晩とほぼおなじ姿勢でベッドに沈む阿部一成。

いったい何が

「違う」のか


今日はもう誕生日じゃあ
ないんですよー

もうほんとに
風邪ひいたって 知りまちぇんっっ!!

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"It is different. I just want to prone for a moment,"

he said,

and sunk in bed by almost the same posture as last night.

What on earth

it is "different?"

Today is not his birthday anymore.

Really,
I do not know at all even if he catch a cold!!

石塚充 2009年2月24日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 24, 2009

イリノイ州アーバナの劇場にて発見。

不思議シャワー。

3人いっぺんに浴びれます。

この楽屋のシャワールームには

これが3台。

9人いっぺんに浴びれます。


かなり
仲良くなれそうです。

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I found it in the theater of Urbana, Illinois.

Such a mysterious shower.

Three people can take a shower at a time.

In this dressing room, there are 3 of those kind of shower booth.

That means 9 people can take a shower at a time.

Considerably, you can be a good friend of other mates.

石塚充 2009年2月23日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 23, 2009

今日は一成さんの誕生日ということで、チャイニーズパーティーをしました。


満漢全席


喰らい尽くしましたぞー

---

Today is Kazunari's birthday, so we had a party at a Chinese restaurant.

Mǎn-Hàn quánxí.

Yes, we ate all.

その後ほどよくビールも飲んで、幸せのうちに轟沈する本日の主役。

おめでとうございました。
一応　起こしましたよ。
風邪ひいても 知りまちぇん!!

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We also drunk a lot of beer afterwards, and today's star sunk in bed of happiness.

Happy birthday!
Of course, I tried to wake him up, though.
Please do not make it to my responsibility even if he catch a cold.

*Mǎn-Hàn quánxí: A high-official court dish in Daicing Gurun era in China. In Japan, this term is used to mean "a lot of delicious food."

松浦充長 2009年2月23日その2 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 23, 2009 #2

〜誕生日〜

今日は鼓童の笛吹き「阿部一成」の誕生日。
ツアー中に撮っていた写真ですが、この癒しの雰囲気を感じてもらえたらと思います。

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-Birthday-

Today is a birthday of shinobue player, "Kazunari Abe." Those pictures are taken during this tour. Please feel his atmosphere that heals person.

松浦充長 2009年2月23日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 23, 2009

今日はふろしきの日らしい。
初めて知りました。

自分たちはふろしきを使っています。
衣装を包むのに使っています。
写真は2009年USAツアー楽屋より。

大事な衣装ですから、カバンにぽいっ! じゃ可哀想すぎます。使ってみると意外と便利なんですよね。

どうですか、太鼓グループの皆さんも衣装を包むのに使ってみませんか。

鼓童オンラインストア | ふろしき

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Today is "Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) Day" in Japan.
I got to know about it just today.

We, Kodo players, usually use "furoshiki" to wrap our costumes.
This picture is taken in a dressing room from this US tour.

Costumes are very important, so do not just throw it away in your bag. You must find out its convenience once you start to use "furoshiki."

Why don't you use it to wrap your costume!

*Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods.

Melanie Taylor Feb 22, 2009 メラニー・テイラー 2009年2月22日

After our first concert with TaikOz in Sydney, we cracked into a barrel of sake to toast our opening night.
It's called 'kagami-wari' in Japanese. Inside the barrel was a lot of smooth Australian Sake, which we poured for the guests with a wooden ladle.

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シドニーでTaikOzとの初めての公演後、初日の成功を祝って鏡割り。樽の中には、オーストラリア産の日本酒がたっぷり。木製の柄杓で注ぎ、お客様に飲んで頂きました。

The next day, the TaikOz student and patissiere extrodinaire Jean-Francois brought us a cake. Yoshikazu was asked to do the honours of cutting up for us and he disappeared from the room and returned with his sword saying "That's not a knife! THIS is a Knife!"
The Sydney audiences certainly gave us a warm, heartfelt welcome. There was certainly a festive mood surrounding us for our week in the city!

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翌日、TaikOzの生徒さんと有名パティシェのジーン・フランソワさんが、私たちにケーキを持ってきてくれました。吉利がお祝いに、とケーキカットを頼まれたのですが、その直後に部屋から出て行ってしまったのです。そして、しばらくしてから…、なんと刀を持ってきたではありませんか！「そんなのはナイフではない。これこそがナイフだ！」と吉利。
（※公演で剣舞を演じた吉利の刀です。本物ではありませんよ〜。）

シドニーのお客様は本当に温かく、心から私たちを歓迎してくれました。町での一週間はまるでお祭り気分のような日々でした。

松浦充長 2009年2月21日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 21, 2009

- Madison -

マディソンでは公演前にプロモーションを行いました。
ロビーでは会館主催のイベントに来られていたお客様でいっぱい! なんとこの日、当日券が400枚でたそうです。
（T□T)アリガトウゴザイマス

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We did Promo live performance before the actual show. In the lobby, there were many people who came to the hall event. On the day, 400 people got rush tickets（T□T). Thanks a lot!

松田菜瑠美 2009年2月21日 Narumi Matsuda Feb 21, 2009

知弘さん主催の夕食会。

いつもは住居棟メンバーだけの夕食に、今日は見留一家と研三さんが仲間入り!

みなさん調理段階から気合が入っています。
みるみるうちにパーティーのような食卓になりました。

---

Dinner invited by Tomohiro.

Usually, only boarders have dinner at Kodo Village, but tonight, Mitome family and Kenzo joined.

Everyone was totally excited even from the coking stage.
You see that our table had become like a party in a moment.

船橋裕一郎 2009年2月20日 Yuichiro Funabashi Feb 20, 2009

マディソンにて。

マディソンを散策中に建物と空が綺麗だなあと、なにげなく一枚。
しかしそこには、鼓童のメンバーが…しかも真ん中に…。
拡大してよーくみてみると、こちらに向かって微笑みかける、好江…?

私はまったく気づかずにその場を立ち去ったらしく…。
心のなかで『ゆ、ゆうさん…』と呟いたそうです。

ごめんね好江さん。

---

In Madison.

During my strolling in Madison, I was enchanted by the building and the sky, so I just simply took one picture . But, there is one Kodo member... in the middle. Later, I magnified it and found out a lady smiling toward my way..., oh, Yoshie...?

Yoshie told me that I left there without any notice and she muttered "Yu-san" in her mind.

Sorry, Yoshie-san.

眞貝祐子 2009年2月20日 Yuko Shingai Feb 20, 2009

「ほくべい」と「にほん」で すかいぷ こうしんちゅうです。

さっきまで ヒーローが うつっていた がめんに おとーさんが　うつっている。

どーやって はいったんだろう?
ふしぎ。

まだ2さいになっていないけれど、おとーさんの かおも こえも わかる。おんなじ。ほんもの。

でも ふしぎ。。。

---

I am communicating through skype between the US and Japan.

Just before now, I was watching "Ultraman" by Youtube, but now, my daddy is in it.

How did he get in? It's a miracle.

I am just 1 year old baby, but I know his face and voice. Same. Real.

But, still, it is just amazing...

松浦充長 2009年2月19日 Matsuura Mitsunaga Feb 19, 2009

「新人博子」
この笑顔をみてるとなんかご利益がありそう...
ヾ(^▽^)ノ

---

"A new face, Hiroko"
You may receive a good luck just looking at this smile...
ヾ(^▽^)ノ

Melanie Taylor Feb 18, 2009 #2

For the past two nights we have held taiko workshops in Sydney. Yoshikazu and Eiichi taught one each, both very different, and both a lot of fun. I could tell by the smiles on everyones faces.
It's great to meet people for the first time and share such a good time right off the bat.
Yoshikazu's class, I hope you keep Wachi Daiko alive in Australia!
Eiichi's class, I hope you keep the feeling of fun and teamwork you experienced tonight in your hearts when you play taiko next time and every time to come!

Melanie Taylor Feb 18, 2009 #1 メラニー・テイラー 2009年2月18日 その1

After a hard day's rehearsal in Australia, what more could a guy want than kangaroo on the bbq?
Here is the cast of the Kodo & TaikOz in Concert show, during a post Day 3 rehearsal bbq dinner.
2 days til opening night, and everyone is in high spirits.

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一日のきつい稽古のあと、バーベキューカンガルーが食べれて幸せでしょう?

稽古後の夕食で鼓童とタイコーズ　イン・コンサートのキャストのワンショットです。
後二日の稽古で初日になります。みんな楽しくやっています。

宮崎正美 2009年2月18日 Masami Miyazaki Feb 18, 2009

〜イーストランシングでオフの日の自炊〜

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-Cooking by ourselves at day-off in East Lansing-

まずはリカーショップでビール購入。
親切なお店のお兄さんと何だか嬉しそうな博子。

---

First of all, we bought beer in the liquor shop. Hiroko seemed happy with a nice man at the liquor shop.

でっきあっがり! 昨日の公演時に用意していただいたホットミールの残りの野菜（主にレタス）に、サラミを加えて、チャレンジカレー! 好江の笑顔とともに…さあ、どうぞ。

いっただっきまーす。
その前に乾杯をしなければ・・・あ! 栓抜きが無い! 「私、開けます。」と博子。どうやって?

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Yes, we cooked rice. Well done.

Here we are! We cooked "Challenge Curry;" the ingredients are the vegetable of the remainder from the hot meal at the theater (mainly lettuce) and salami. With Yoshie's smile, please have some.

"Ittadakkimasu. (Von appetite.)"
Oh, we have to toast ahead of that..., but gee, we have no bottle opener. "I am going to open it." said Hiroko, but how?

まさか引き出しの取っ手を使うとは…。それにしてもパワフル!腰がはいってます!

ってなわけで、レタスサラミカレー、美味しくいただきました。皆さんもお試しあれ!
明日はここ、ミシガン州East Lansingでの公演。カレーパワーで頑張ります。

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She used the drawer pull..., how powerful she was ! You see her waist is steady.

Anyway, we ate lettuce & salami curry. It was delicious. Please try!
Tomorrow, we will perform here, in East Lansing, in Michigan. We will do our best with the curry power.

Melanie Taylor Feb 16, 2009

Yesterday, a cast of 5 and myself from Kodo arrived in Australia, and today we started rehearsals for our shows in Sydney and Melbourne with TaikOz coming up Feb 21-25.
Today, before we started our rehearsals, we were lucky enough to have a traditional Aboriginal welcome ceremony, performed by Matthew Doyle.
Here he is painting Chieko's face with a design especially for women.

And Motofumi having a go at a different kind of flute, a digeridoo.

After lunch everyone put the Odaiko on its stand so Yoshikazu could try it out. Their odaiko is made from a Eucalyptus tree from Tasmania.
Can't wait to hear how it sounds when we have the first Odaiko rehearsal tomorrow.

石塚充 2009年2月15日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 15, 2009

ミネソタ州の州都、ミネアポリスでの公演。

ごらんのように劇場の壁から天井にかけて、おびただしい数の四角い物体が。

なんでしょうかね　これ。
オーケストラホールなので、音響を緻密に計算してこのようなことになっているんだとは思うんですが。

ここの劇場、ドン! と音を出したときに残る残響の長さが、なんとなんと3.5秒だとか。十二月スペシャルで公演したすみだトリフォニーが確か2秒くらいだったので、3.5秒というのは和太鼓にとってはかなり長いことになります。

リハーサルでは、まるで銭湯で演奏しているかのような状態。
唄や笛、胡弓には良いのですが、太鼓は思いっきり叩き過ぎると、爆音すぎて何を演奏しているのかわかりません。
慎重に慎重にサウンドチェックをして本番にのぞみました。

満席のお客様に、良い音で届いているといいなぁ…。

---

Performance in Minneapolis, a state capital in Minnesota

You see a bunch of square things on the wall of the theater to the ceiling.

What are they? Because it is a classical hall, it must have been designed with an exact calculation, I guess.

Once we make a sound of taiko, the remaining reverberation is 3.5 seconds. It lasted 2 seconds at Sumida Triphony Hall where we performed "December Concert Special," so 3.5 seconds is very long as we consider the reverberation of taiko.

In the rehearsal, we felt like performing in the public bath. It is good for singing, shinobue (Japanese flute) and Kokyu (Chinese fiddle), but when we played taiko hard, it was like roaring and you could not tell what we were playing. So, we checked the sound carefully before the performance.

I hoped the sound reached the audience filled all seats.

大井キヨ子 2009年2月14日 Kiyoko Oi Feb 14, 2009

14日のバレンタインデーに、“菊童”に会いにいってきました。今月一杯はおかあさんのきく子と一緒の牛舎ですごすそうです。3月からは子牛だけの集団保育になるそうです。

親離れが早い。
穏やかな感じ。

「性格はおかあさんに似ていますよ。」と教えてもらいました。久しぶりに行ったのに、きく子のほうから寄ってきてくれました。

帰り際、だいこん、切り干しだいこん、たくわんを沢山お土産にいただきました。循環型農業が機能しだいこんにも牛の堆肥がよくきいていて、とても甘いだいこんになっています。

切り干しだいこんは「さきいか」みたいな食感。そのままでもおやつになりなり後引く味です。

---

I went to see "Kikudo" on Valentine's Day, Feb 14th. He can be with his mother within this month and will be sent to a group of calves next month, away from his mother.

It is so quick to part from his mother.
He looks like calm.

I was told that he looks like his mother.
It has taken so long after I met him before, but he came up to me.

On the way home, I was given a lot of daikon (white radish), dried daikon and pickled daikon. I guess cow's compost works well by the mean of the cycloid type agriculture, so daikon is very sweet.

The texture of dried daikon is like dried squid. It tastes like snacks. You cannot stop it.

吉井盛悟 2009年2月13日 Shogo Yoshii Feb 13, 2009

八丈島探訪実行中。

島の昔の話しの取材を行い、太鼓を叩いて…。
合間はこんなことして車に素振りを映して練習…。
（セルフタイマーで撮った写真…一人でやってるのを見られたくなーい(:_;)すげえやらせー）
今までに幾度も八丈島を訪れましたが、今回ほど色々と話しを聞けたことは無い気がします。

どのように島の太鼓が受け継がれ、どのように変わってきたか…。
島で太鼓話しを聞けば聞くほど、太鼓だけ叩いていても太鼓は良くならないんだなぁ…と感じます。

島の言葉、民俗、歴史、気候風土…そして人間性…色々なことを学び磨いてこそ、島の太鼓を感じることが出来る。

郷土の芸能と我々の舞台。その間で今、自分が何が出来るかを考えています。
今日もアメリカで舞台を作る仲間達、明日からオーストラリアに行く仲間達、岩手に稽古に向かう仲間達、佐渡でベースを守り稽古に励む仲間達、そして八丈を学ぶ自分。行動は異なるけど向いているベクトルは同じ。

何かチームとして喜びを感じます。

今日も明日も良い舞台ができますように。

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Exploring on Hachijo Island

Interviewing old times story of the island, playing taiko, and practicing as I seeing my appearance to the car body... .(This picture was taken with the self-timer..., I did not want to be seen anyone (:_;), well, you see it was just arranged!), this is the first time ever that I got to hear many things about Hachijo in my plenty of visits.

Hachijo taiko has been conveyed and changed in its long history. As I have been hearing the stories more, I think that my Hachijo taiko doesn't improve only as I just practice it.

I have to learn Hachijo's dialect, customes, the history and the climate, and improve myself, and then; I can finally feel Hachijo taiko in fact.

I think of what we can do between Japanese local performances and our stage.

Some of Kodo members are in US tour, some are leaving for Australia tour from tomorrow, some are going to take a lesson in Iwate soon, some are practicing & keeping Kodo Village in safe, and I, myself, am learning Hachijo taiko. We are not together, but the turning vector is the same.

I am happy to be in this team.

I hope the great performances today and tomorrow.

新井武志 2009年2月12日 Takeshi Arai Feb 12, 2009

「第一回 休日バリカン倶楽部」活動報告

このツアー2回目のOFF。
周りにほとんど何もない郊外のホテルだったので、そろそろ髪きりたいなあ〜って3人がわたくしの部屋に集合。

お互い、刈りあいました。

「休日バリカン倶楽部」

まあ、バリカンとすきバサミだけでなんとかなる髪型限定ですけど、なにか？

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"Holiday Hair Clippers Club Vol.1 " activity report

On the second time day-off, there was nothing around the hotel, so 3 of us who wanted to get hair-cut gathered in my room.

We got hair cut each other.

"Holiday Hair Clippers Club "

This club members are limited only who can manage their hair with hair clippers and scissors..., well, what do you want to say!?!

石塚充 2009年2月12日 Mitsuru Ishizuka, Feb 12, 2009

キングオブ時差ボケの洋介くん。
今回もボケボケにボケております。

早朝に目が覚め、プールではしゃぎまくり、昼時に爆睡。かと思えば、夕方６時から朝まで子供のように熟睡。眠けりゃ寝る、眼がさえたら遊ぶ、闘う気はまるで無し!!

それでいて
「・・ああ・・眠い。。」
「あかんねむいーーー！」
「しんどいわー。。。」
文句はタラタラ 言いたい砲台。
あ、間違えた
言いたい放題。

完全に泥沼型の時差ボケ野郎です。

移動日の空港でも常に爆睡。

でもでもご心配なく。
彼の左手はしっかりマイバッグの中に。

セキュリティーは万全です。

---

Yosuke is the King of "jet lag." In this tour, he is of course being senile.

He wake up early in the morning, bubbled over in the pool and took a big nap. Then, again, he fell in a sleep at 6 in the evening and never woke up until next morning; like a little child. He sleeps when he is sleepy. He plays when he is awake. No ambitious to fight to himself!!

Even so, he says "...ah..., I'm sleepy. ." "Oh no, I am so sleepy---! " "I feel so dizzy." He is complains a lot.

He is totally a jet lag fellow of the marsh type.

He is also sleeping in the airport of our traveling day to the next place.

But, do not worry. His left hand is firmly in his bag.

Security is perfect.

石塚充 2009年2月11日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 11, 2009

あたたかい西側の旅を終えて、いよいよ寒い寒い東側へ。
アリゾナ州からミシガン州アナーバーまで、一気に移動してきました。
天候は雨。
あたりには雪もどっさり積もっていて、とにかく寒い! 当然ですがカリフォルニアあたりとは全然違います。

景気付けに上手いもんでも喰らうべーと、猛者4人連れ立って近所のメキシコ料理屋へ。

---

We ended up our tour on a warm west side, and to it a cold, cold east side. We have moved from Arizona to Ann Arbor, Michigan at a dash. It is raining. The snow has piled around a lot, too and, anyway, it is freezing. As you know, it is totally different from around California.

To heat up ourselves, 4 of "Kodo predatory animals" went to Mexican cuisine restaurant near the hotel.

勢いでバシバシ注文しちゃったものの、出てきた肉と豆とトウモロコシの皮の山積みにさっそくげんなりする土橋達也。

ナチョスの超山盛りに闘志を燃やす船橋裕一郎。

すべてを喰らいつくして轟沈するブルファイター、中込健太。

明日はオフ。
ぐっすり眠れそうです…。

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Tatsuya Dobashi immediately fed up just looking at the ordered food; the pile of meat, the beans, and the cornhusks.

Yuichiro Funabashi burned his fighting spirit in a super-heap of nachos.

Kenta Nakagome was a bull-fighter, who ate all and sunk into his bed after that.

Tomorrow is a day-off. It seems like we all are able to sleep deeply...

吉井盛悟 2009年2月10日 Shogo Yoshii Feb 10, 2009

盛悟です! 只今、八丈島に出稽古に来ています。
佐渡から本土、本土から八丈島へ。島から島へとやって参りました。八丈島の太鼓に出会い14年、もう人生の半分が八丈の太鼓に浸かっています。でもこの世界にしてみたら入口に過ぎません…(-.-)

昨日の午前中は雨が降っていて、火燵を囲みながら（でも部屋の窓は網戸…、佐渡では有り得ません…）島の方の釣りの話しなどを聞いていました。そんな話しの中での島の言葉やちょっとした空気感、時間の流れ方などを感じ、改めて島を味わい、太鼓について考え直しました。

午後は晴れて、海に太鼓を持って行き、練習をしてきました。

太鼓を叩いていたら八丈太鼓愛好会のケイジロウさんが通りかかってちょっとだけ太鼓を叩いてくださいました。
通りがかりで太鼓を叩いていく…、そんな八丈の太鼓に改めて魅力を感じています。

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Hey, I'm Shogo! I am on Hachojo Island now. I went over from Sado Island to the mainland, from the mainland to Hachijo Island. I have met Hachijo taiko 14 year ago, and half of my life is soaked in it. But I know that I just came to the entrance of this world, Hachijo taiko(-.-).

Yesterday morning, it was raining, so I was with Hachijo people and heard a story of fishing etc. (Can you believe that we were in "Kotatsu" the foot warmer, but the window is a screen door! No way on Sado in this season!) Then, I felt the Hachijo people's words, a little air around them and time flowing. I appreciated Hachijo Island itself and re-started to think about taiko.

In the afternoon, it cleared up, so I went to the beach with taiko and practiced.

When I wan playing taiko, Keijiro from "Hachijo Aikokaicame," one of taiko group on Hachijo, came by and played a bit. A man comes by and plays ..... I was fascinated with Hachijo taiko which is something like that.

何故か足湯…
何故か蟹取り…
そして太鼓です。

八丈島、ゆる〜い空気流れてます(゜_゜

---

I was at the footbath ..., playing with a pick up a crab...., and playing taiko.

On Hachijo Island, the time was running loosely.

石塚充 2009年2月9日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 9, 2009

日々加熱するベテランメンバーのプレッシャー。
歯を食いしばって耐える若手女性メンバーたち。

負けるな博子!
がんばれ菜月!!

---

Pressures from senior members are heating up day by day. Young female members are enduring , gritting their teeth.

Go forward, Hiroko!
Do your best, Natsuki!!

石塚充 2009年2月8日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 8, 2009

鼓童としても、和太鼓のグループとしても初めての、ウォルトディズニーコンサートホールでの公演。

ごらんのとおり

キラキラです。
ギラギラです。

昔はもっとギラッギラだったそうですが、あまりにまぶしいという苦情が多く、ツヤ消しをほどこされて、現在のようにギンギラギンにさりげない感じになったようです。

ばりばりのクラシックのホールなので、太鼓には残響が大きすぎるかもなーとちょっと心配もしていたんですが、

ところがどっこい

ものすごくちょうどよい響き具合で、大きな音から繊細な音までまんべんなく聞こえるすばらしい音響。
ロビーまわりもとってもきれいで、あ、写真は撮ってないんですがとっても素敵な劇場でした。

チケットのほうはソールドアウトで、360度ぐるぐるーーーーっと2000人を超すお客さんに囲まれての、熱い熱い舞台となりました。

メンバーは朝から口々に
「ミッキーいるかなミッキー」
と言っていたんですが、
ミッキーには会えませんでした。

---

This is the first time to perform by Kodo, moreover as a taiko team, in the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

You see.

Twinkling.
Dazzling.

The hall was more glittering before, but its gloss was taken off because of the complains, and now it's rather naturally glaring.

This is a classical hall, so I was worried it would be too much reverberating.

But, it was just perfect with a good echo and good sound, picking up any size of volume. The lobby is so lovely. I did not take picture, but anyway, this is a really wonderful theater.

The tickets were sold out. The stage was surrounded by 2000 people and it was a hot, hot stage.

Kodo members were saying "where is Mickey?" all day long, but unfortunately, we were not able to meet him.

根岸俊昭 2009年2月7日 Toshiaki Negishi Feb 7, 2009

「銀いろの風〜唄と篠笛によるコンサート」
佐渡の「おみやげとお食事の店」小木家さんで行われました。
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~ogiya/

出演は幹文・容子に加え、吉利が友情出演。トークを交えたアットホームな雰囲気です。

幹文ソロコーナーでは、ユーモアあふれるトークの中、平家物語の静御前をテーマにした『静』、アイルランドの民謡そして、『山唄』などの演奏あり。

柏崎の民話に元にした新しい子守唄『椎谷の観音さん』は、佐渡の宿根木とも関係する内容でリズムも弾みました。
地元、小木での「小木追分」は、容子と吉利の唄と掛け声のシンプルなスタイルになりました。

最後は『守っ子』
会場全体が「ラーララ〜」の大合唱になりました。容子が指揮者になって、盛り上がりました。

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"Silver Wind - song and shinobue concert"
It was held at "Ogi-ya" a Japanese restaurant on Sado.
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~ogiya/

Motofumi and Yoko performed, and Yoshikazu also showed up as a guest. The program went on with their chatting and it was more likely "home concert."

In Motofumi's solo part, he talked with his humor and played "Shizuka," about "Shizuka Gozen" from the tale of "Heike Monogatari," Ireland folk song and "Yamauta."

A new lullaby "Shiya-no-Kannonsan" was made from a folk tale of Kashiwazaki (a local place in Niigata). Because the lyric is also related with Shukunegi, a part of Ogi area, the rhythm went well with the audience. "Ogi Oiwake" a Ogi's local folk song was simply performed by Yoko and Yoshikazu's song and chant.

At the end, the performers and the audience got together and sang "Morikko" with "la,la,la." Yoko became a conductor and everyone rose.

船橋裕一郎 2009年2月7日 Yuichiro Funabashi Feb 7, 2009

明日の会場ウォルトディズニーホールを撮る充くん。最近写真撮りまくってます。

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Here is a photo of Mitsuru taking a photo of the theatre we are playing at tomorrow, Walt Disney Hall.
He's been taking photos like crazy recently.

で、リトルトーキョーへラーメンを食べに…。途中に交番があったり、怪しいけど気になるお店があったりします。

（編集注：4年の歳月を隔てて、同じ写真ネタが掲載されておりました…。）

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We went to Little Tokyo to eat raamen noodles. On the way we saw a police box (like in Japan) and suspicious but intriguing shops.

(Editor's comment: We had the same photos sent through from the tour 4 years ago!)

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 27 2005
新井武志 2005年4月7日

石塚充 2009年2月6日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 6, 2009

すっかりおなじみになったサンラファエロの劇場。
サーカスのテントのような、丸い屋根の可愛い外観に、中は大海原のように青い客席。

２年前にも話題にのぼったんですが、この客席、途中でトイレにいきたくなったら絶望的ですよね…。

きれいだけど…。

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San Raphael Theater is very familiar to us. The hall appearance is cute as the roof is round like a circus tent. The seats are all blue like vast expanse of ocean.

We also talked about this 2 years ago, but you might feel desperate if you wanted to go to the restroom.

Lovely, though...

（編集注：2年前の話題は下記よりどうぞ）
(Editor's comment: Please check the weblog 2 years ago, clicking below.)
見留知弘 2007年2月1日 Tomohiro Mitome Jan 1 2007

眞貝祐子 2009年2月4日 Yuko Shingai Feb 4, 2009

北米ツアー中のみつさんとスカイプで交信☆
そちらの様子を知りたい！
という私のリクエストに答え、写真を送ってくれました。

時差ぼけはあるものの、みんな元気にやっていると聞いて安心。
佐渡の様子もそのうち送りますね！

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I've been talking to Mitsu on Skype asking how the tour is going.
He sent some photos through to show us what the tour is like.

Even despite the jet lag and time difference, I was happy to hear everyone is doing well over there.
I'll have to send them some pictures of what we are up to on Sado soon.

（撮影：松浦充長）

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(Photos by Mitsunaga Matsuura)

洲崎拓郎 2009年2月4日 Takuro Susaki Feb 4, 2009

月刊「鼓童」の発送作業です。
皆様へ無事届くよう、心を込めて封筒に入れております、という図です。

スタッフ、在島組の舞台メンバー、研修生の総動員で作業いたしました。思えば、20ウン年前、研修生だった私もこの作業のお手伝いをしておりましたなあ…（遠い目）。

今回は新年号でカラーです。「藤本吉利 太鼓人生」というディープな新春インタビューを掲載しております。ご期待下さい。
あ、会員でない紳士淑女のみなさま、この機会にぜひご入会下さい。入会金1,000円、年会費は3,000円ぽっきり。オンラインで手続きいただけますよ〜。詳しくは以下からどうぞ。

鼓童 | 入会、継続のご案内
鼓童 | 月刊「鼓童」のご紹介

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Here is what it looks like when we send out our monthly Japanese Kodo newsletter.
It is the picture of us putting our heart and soul into sending our news to our friends, fans and dear supporters.

This time, staff, players, and apprentices all helped out with the envelope stuffing. Come to think of it, 20 or so years ago, I was an apprentice stuffing envelopes with newsletters too.
(Long, long ago...)

松田菜瑠美 2009年2月3日 Narumi Matsuda Feb 3, 2009

鼓童村のお昼、節分らしいメニューです。
今年の恵方「東北東」に向かって、巻寿司をまるかじり！！
そして豆まきも。
たまたま通りかかった研三さんは、鬼にされてしまいました。
本日の料理人はスタッフの洲崎純子です！

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For lunch at Kodo Village today we had the textbook perfect lunch for Setsubun.
(Translator's note: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun)

The lucky direction this year is east north-east, so everyone faced that way and took a big bite out of their sushi roll.
And we threw beans.
Kenzo just happened to be walking by at that moment, so he was deemed "Demon" of the event.
Today's lunch was prepared by staff member Junko Susaki.

松浦充長 2009年2月3日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 4, 2009

〜手作り太鼓〜

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= Hand-made taiko =

北米の方々が演奏する太鼓は、ほとんどが手作りなんです。
さまざまな工夫が見られて楽しいですよ。

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A lot of the taiko used in North America by locals are hand-made.
It is really interesting to see all the different techniques they employ.

齊藤栄一 2009年2月2日 Eiichi Saito Feb 2, 2009

今年は結構まとまった雪が降り積もる鼓童村の冬でございます。
折角の天からの贈り物ですもの。利用しないなんて勿体ない。

よぉ〜し、それなら
☆『竹スキー作り』☆

って訳ではありません。

次のツアーの演目用に小道具の製作中。
何を作っているかは、まだヒ・ミ・ツ！よっ。

北米ツアー班のみんな。気を付けて旅を続けてね。小編成チームも頑張ってます。

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This year the snow has really hit Kodo Village all in one go.
A precious gift from above, we couldn't let it go to waste.

So, with all this snow, we decided to make bamboo skis!

Yeah, right...

Actually, we are making special items that we will be using on stage in our next tour.
What we are making is still a s-e-c-r-e-t

North America Tour team, take care on your travels! The solo/small group project team is working hard back here.

見留知弘 2009年1月31日 Tomohiro Mitome Jan 31, 2009

1月24日に盛悟くんが投稿した、小編成公演の報告をいたします。
1月末に、栃木県内で、2つの学校公演に行って参りました。

27日、佐渡を出発して栃木県へ移動する日は、新潟の高速道路は吹雪いており、前が見えないほどでした。

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On January 24th, Shogo wrote about us rehearsing for a couple of shows, so here is my report from our trip.
At the end of January, we went to give concerts at two schools in Tochigi Prefecture.

On Jan 27th, the day we left Sado and drove to Tochigi, there was a blizzard on the highway and we could barely see the road in front of us.

途中のサービスエリアにて、2tトラックと豪雪。

トンネルを抜けて、群馬県側に入ると、先ほどの雪景色が、幻??のように無くなって、快晴で暖かく、山を隔てた日本海側と太平洋側の冬の違いを感じつつ、夕方頃学校に到着して、仕込みと段取り稽古をしました。
宿泊は学校の社宅というのでしょうか、皆で買出しに出て、ミーティングルームで一緒に夕食を食べました。

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Here are a couple of pictures of the truck in the snowy surroundings.

Driving through the tunnel on the border of Gunma Prefecture and it was hard to believe the snow we had just come from... it was warm and sunny and a clear indicator of the difference between Japan Sea and Pacific Ocean coast winters. We arrived at the school in the evening and got straight into unpacking and then rehearsing for the show.
We stayed at the teacher's accomodation, and we all ate dinner together in the meeting room.

翌28日、1時間プログラムを、2回公演しました。出演者は千絵子・知弘・研三・盛悟・剛史の5名。
栃木県は千絵子さんの出身地であり、ご両親が観に来てくださり、夕飯には、猪肉鍋、手打ちうどんに、手打ち蕎麦などなど、たくさんご馳走になりました。

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On Jan 28th, we performed our 1 hour programme twice. There were five of us on stage, Chieko, Kenzo, Shogo, Tsuyoshi, and myself.
Chieko is from Tochigi, and her parent's came to watch one of the shows, and the treated us to a wonderful dinner of wild boar nabe (stew), hand-made noodles and more.

翌29日の移動日にも、千絵子さんの実家に途中下車して、お茶を頂いて、小島家の前で記念撮影させて頂きました。

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On the 29th, when we were driving between towns, we popped in to Chieko's parents' home for a cup of tea and took this photo together.

翌30日は、吉利さん・幹文さんも合流し、7名で、90分の学校公演プログラムを、会館で行いました。この先も、何箇所か小編成の出演がありますので、クローズの公演でなければ、お知らせいたします!!!!

（編集注：28日、30日に学校公演を行わせて頂きました。対象が一般のお客様向けではありませんでしたので、一般にはご案内しておりませんでした。ご了承下さい。）

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On the 30th, Yoshikazu and Motofumi joined us and the seven of us performed a 90 minute programme at a theatre.
We have a few more shows coming up this winter, so if they are open to the public, I'll be sure to let you know!

(Editor's Note: The shows on the 28th and 30th were not open to the public so we did not advertise them. Thank you for your understanding.)

石塚充 2009年1月28日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Jan 28, 2009

北米ツアー初日はカナダのヴァンクーバー。それはそれはきれいなコンサートホールでした。

ほりゃっっ!!

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The first show on our North American tour was in Vancouver, Canada. And it was at a beautiful concert hall.

Check it out!!!

まるで結婚式場のような優美なロビースペース。おしゃれな間接照明にあるステージ。

2,800近い客席がめいっぱいの満席で、幸せな幕開けとなりました。

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The lobby looked like a elegant wedding reception hall and the stage had chic lighting. With almost 2800 seats sold out, it was a truly joyous opening night.

船橋裕一郎 2009年1月26日 Yuichiro Funabashi Jan 26, 2009

バンクーバーに無事到着しました。たまたま、近郊に滞在中の研修所時代の同期、さちよに会う事ができました！
そんなわけで、17期、18期生でランチに。なんでも明後日の公演を観た後、コスタリカに行くらしいです。その後も世界各地を旅するらしく、僕ら以上に旅人になってました。こんな再会もあるんですねえ…。

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We have a arrived safely in Vancouver. And we were able to catch up with a classmate from our apprentice days, Sachiyo, who happened to be in town!
So we had lunch together, the classes of 1999 and 2000. It was good timing as she is off to Costa Rica the day after our concert here. After that she is going to travel around the world, seems she has ended up being more of a traveller than we all are. Reunions are always interesting, eh?

Melanie Taylor Jan 25, 2009

Sunday morning and the North America Tour members were up early to leave Sado and head to Tokyo to fly out to Vancouver. Here are some pictures of their departure from Kodo Village.

All aboard! Shinchan Sensei behind the wheel of the Kodo bus, taking the members to the ferry through the driving snow.

Tokio, Masayuki, Yoshie, and Natsuki saying goodbye to the camera. (Tokio can't hide his excitement...)

After the bus pulled away, I took a group shot of the team who came to wave them off. We didn't play taiko to say Bon Voyage, but rather sang them off with a Japanese folk song.

Melanie Taylor Jan 13, 2009

Happy New Year from Kodo Village. It just starting snowing on the weekend and now has turned our village into a snow globe. Rehearsals for the North America tour are under way, and the staff are huddled around heaters while people are drumming in t-shirts. The first half of 2009 will see Kodo touring around North America, Australia, and Europe. Schedules are being updated online as they are confirmed. I will be off to Australia with Kodo next month, so will say hi from there with photos of our rehearsals with TaikOz. Summer here we come. Natsuki, dress a little warmer! Winter has just begun!

メラニー・テイラー 2008年12月1日Melanie Taylor Dec 1, 2008

遅くなりましたが、ただいま！
南米ツアーから日本に戻ってきました。ブラジルの最後の夕食会はサンパウロの『雅』という和食のお店でいただきました。ツアー最後の集合写真です。このツアーでお世話になりましたブラジルのソニーさんにいただいたブラジルのお土産をもっています。さて、中身は何でしょうか？
南米から佐渡に戻るとすごく寒くて　ブライルはいっきに懐かしくなりました。20年ぶりのブラジルツアーでしたが　次回は近いうちにあるといいなと思っています。
いよいよ明日が12月公演の初日です。2008年の最後のツアー、よろしくおねがいします。

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Sorry for the delay, but yes, we made it back to Japan safe and sound after our South American Tour. Our last dinner in Brazil was a wonderful Japanese feast at a restaurant called Miyabi. This is our last group photo of the tour. We received beautiful black box gifts from Sony Brazil to take home with us, can you guess what is inside?
After South America, coming back to Sado has been a freezing cold change, and makes us fondly remember our wonderful warm tour all the more. Kodo hadn't been to Brazil since 1988 until this year, and we really hope to be back there again before long.
And tomorrow is the opening night of our December Concert series. It is our last tour of 2008, and I hope to see you there!

洲崎拓郎 2008年11月1日Takuro Susaki Nov 1, 2008

南米ツアー、9日目を数えました。
いやはや、濃密なスケジュールで、あれよあれよと時間が過ぎていきます。

ほとんどホテルと劇場の往復で、「これがブラジルかあ〜」と実感することが難しいところもありますが、肉料理や、青空や、椰子の木や、劇場クルーの笑顔を見ると、ああなるほど地球の反対側にいるんだなあと感じることも出来ます。

肉料理と言えば、スゴイのを頂きました。ウエイターさんが串刺しにあぶった色んな種類の肉を、「はいどうぞ、はいどうぞ」と次々テーブルに運んでくれるレストラン。わんこそばならぬ、「わんこ肉」。いや、犬の肉ではなくて。

どれくらい食べているんだか判らないままに、相当な量を食べてしまいますね。カタイのや柔らかいのや、スジっぽいのや油っぽいのや。せっかくなかなか来られない土地に来ているのに、とりあえずここで報告する話題が肉料理のことで、いいのやら悪いのやら。すいません。

写真はブラジルっぽくないですね。劇場の搬入口に、芝居か何かで使ったのか、巨大な顔が転がっておりました。面白いので一枚。面白くないですか。すいません。

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We are now 9 days into our South American tour.
Our schedule is very tight and with all the comings and goings, the days are flying by.

Just seeing the scenery out the window on the way between the hotel and theatres it is sometimes difficult to feel like we are experiencing Brazil, but on the otherhand...
the meat we are served, the blue skies, the trees, and the smiles of the crews we work with at the shows: we find ourselves wowing at things enough to make us feel like we are on the otherside of the world from home.

Speaking of meat, we had some REALLY good dishes. We went to a restaurant where the waiters keep coming around and heaping more skewered meats onto your plate. It was a never ending flow...

Impossible to gauge how much you have eaten, you end up eating far too much. Tough meat, tender meat, stringy meat, fatty meat. I don't know if I should be writing all about meat on this blog, but it has been quite the topic of conversation in the group.

This photo is very "Brazilian" is it?
There was a big head by the artists' entrance at one of the theatres. Well, we thought it was funny anyway.

Melanie Taylor Oct 29, 2008メラニー・テイラー 2008年10月29日

Here we are at a quick visit to see Olodum's home "Casa do Olodum" and Olodum's school "Escola Olodum" in Pelourinho, Salvador.
We couldn't stay long as we had a show to prepare for that night, but we managed to see a few friends we met on Sado this summer, and where Olodum is based. We heard a brief lecture about the work they do in the community and school they run to provide skills for young people for free. It is was a brief but warm and moving trip.
Next time, I want to watch them teach!

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サルヴァドールのペロリンヨにあるOlodumの本拠地と学校の見学にいってきました。

本番当日でゆっくりできなったですが、佐渡で知り合ったメンバーとの再会ができて、Olodumのベースがあるところを観られて本当によかったです。
みじかいレクチャーを聞かせていただいて、かれらのコミュ二ティーでの活動と運営をしている学校について、話していただきました。ほんとに短い間でしたが、本当に彼らの情熱に感動しました。

今度Olodumに会いに来る時には　太鼓を教えているところの見学をしたいです。

Melanie Taylor Oct 24, 2008メラニー・テイラー 2008年10月24日

Here we are in transit in Newark, NJ, on our way from Japan to Brazil. Kaoru Watanabe came out to the airport to say hi during our layover and have a catch up with us.
It was a short visit but a really nice oasis between our long-haul flights, and nice to have a drink with a dear friend.
Thanks for coming to see us Kaoru!

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日本からブラジルへの移動の途中で、ニュージャージー州のニューアーク空港で乗り継ぎがあり、渡辺薫さんが会いにきてくれました。短い時間でしたがなかなか会えない薫さん一杯飲みながらお話ができて、長い移動の途中の一つの楽しみでした。空港まできてくれて、薫さん、ありがとう！

Melanie Taylor Oct 10, 2008

I hosted a Kodo Juku staff party at my house the other night, with Juku-cho, Gan-san, and the 2nd year apprentices. In September we worked together on 2 X 5-day workshops (KASA Mix and Kodo Juku) at the Kodo Cultural Foundation Apprentice Centre, and I wanted to get the team together to talk about the experience while enjoying Mexican and Turkish food. Most people who visit my house think they have stepped into another country, but the apprentices were my first-ever guests to say they felt like they were at a friend's house for the first time in ages.
The 2nd years are busy harvesting rice and persimmons, as well as preparing for various school shows on Sado, not to mention their usual taiko, dance and song rehearsals. So it was great to see them relax and let someone else do the cooking.
Here is our crew shot, taken on a self timer, in true Juku-cho style. And if you were at the apprentice centre this September, you probably recognise the cake we are eating: Joe's special pumpkin cake!

松井元 2008年9月21日 Gen Matsui Sep 21, 2008

沼津公演。
開演前の長蛇の列。
大勢のお客様にご来場頂きました。ありがとうございます。

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Our Numazu Performance.
There was a huge queue waiting for the doors to open.
We were so happy to see so many people come to watch our show! Thank you all!

もと研修生の石井晶くんと、勝俣よし江さんです。
こうして全国各地でみなさんと再会できるのもツアーの楽しみの一つです。

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Here we are with former apprentices/junior members Akira Ishii and Yoshie Katsumata.
One of the things we look forward to on tour is meeting up with all our friends along the way.

松井元 2008年9月20日 Gen Matsui Sep 20, 2008

メンバーの「ひととき」コーナー

秦野公演終了後、夕食の買い出しのため近くスーパーによりました。
さて洋介さんの今晩の夕食は何でしょう？

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Here a wee glimpse behind the scenes, and the glamour.
After our Hatano Performance, we stopped in to a supermarket to buy dinner.
So, what do you think Yosuke is going to dine on tonight?

松井元 2008年9月18日 Gen Matsui Sep 18, 2008

加須公演時の写真です。

道中色々ありますね。
演奏だけではなくトラックの運転、時にはメンテナンスまでも自分たちで行います。

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Here is a picture from our Kazo Performance.
A lot happens when you are on the road.
We perform, we drive our own trucks, and even do our own maintenance work along the way.

松井元 2008年9月17日 Gen Matsui Sep 17, 2008

町田公演での写真です。

町田は健太くんの地元です。健太くんの応援のため100人以上のお客様がご来場してくださいました。
最後のアンコール時には、健太くんへんの応援メッセージが書かれた横断幕が掲げられ、終演後にはロビーで健太くんの胴上げが行われておりました。

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Here are some snaps from our Machida Performance.
Machida is Kenta's hometown, and about 100 Kenta supporters turned out to cheer him on.
During the encore, there was a huge support banner being waved in the crowd for Kenta, and after the show the group tossed him up in the air in the lobby.

松井元 2008年9月12日 Gen Matsui Sep 12, 2008

沼津公演のプロモーションのため、充さんと盛悟くんが静岡第一テレビ「静岡○ごとワイド！」へ生出演させて頂きました。

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To promote our Numazu Performance, Mitsuru and Shogo made a live appearance on Shizuoka Daichi TV's "Shizuoka Marugoto Wide!"

Melanie Taylor Sep 11, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年9月11日

Today I was farewelling the KASA Mix participants who came from the USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany to Sado for 5 days of workshops and exchange at the Kodo Apprentice Centre.

I expected all the drumming to be left to the pros, and thought I would be just be waving and taking pictures, when I should have been prepared for a little more!
Here we are on the dock in Ogi as the ferry pulls away, carrying alot of friends, new and old who share Kodo's love for taiko and fun. It was a really special week, and we all came away sleep deprived from wanting to spend more hours awake just hanging out with each other.

Good people, good times, good life. I hope to see everyone again soon before long!

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今日、研修所にて5日間のワークショップと交流の為に、アメリカ、カナダ、オーストラリア、ドイツなどからきていた、カサ・ミックスの参加者の見送りにいきました。

太鼓はプロの太鼓打ちの方がすると思って、私は手を振って写真をとる予定でしたが、それ以上の心の準備をしとけば良かったです！
小木の埠頭で、出港するフェリーを見送り、フェリーに乗っている昔からの仲間と新しい仲間で太鼓と楽しむことが本当に大好きなみなさんが、唄って、手をたたいて　手をずっと振ってくれて去っていきました。
本当に特別な一週間でした。一緒に時間を過ごしたくて、結局全員寝不足になってしまいました。

良い人々、良い思い出、良い人生。次会える日がはやくきますように。

Melanie Taylor Jun 30, 2008メラニー・テイラー 2008年6月30日

Yesterday cocon held their first Sado full-length concert at Hananoki in front of a packed house on a specially built stage. Tsubasa, Ayako, Masami, and Yoshie welcomed two new members to the unit, Natsuki and Hiroko. The show was full of good beats, song, dance, and laughs. Thank you to everyone who came, and to everyone who is coming to EC and looking forward to seeing the 6-strong cocon ladies there.

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昨日、cocon (ここん）が佐渡での初単独公演を花の木でやりました。特設舞台で満席のお客さんの前で　つばさ・綾子・正美・好江が、新メンバー菜月と博子をむかえました。気持ちいいビート、唄、踊り、と笑いにあふれたコンサートでした。きてくださった皆様　ありがとうございました! アース・セレブレーションで6人にパワーアップしているcoconを楽しみにしてくださっている方々もよろしくね!

Melanie Taylor June 12, 2008メラニー・テイラー 2008年6月12日

Last night we had a party at Oasiss in Ogi to celebrate the release of Yoko Fujimoto's debut solo album 'morisa komorisa.' The album is all Japanese lullabies so it was very fitting that lots of Kodo kids came along to join the celebration. Lots of smiles, food, music, and a bar top session to finish up! Congratulations Yoko!

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夕べ藤本容子のデビューソロアルバム「もりさこもりさ」の発売のお祝いパーティーを小木のオアシスで行いました。日本の子守唄のアルバムなので 鼓童キッズも参加ができて とてもよかったです。
笑顔、食べ物、音楽であふれたパーティーで バーの上でセッションでしめくくりました。容子さん、おめでとうございます!

藤本容子 | morisa komorisa

小島千絵子 2008年6月1日Chieko Kojima June 1, 2008

御殿場の近く、小山町は 金太郎 の在所。
公演した総合文化会館の愛称も「金太郎ホール」。

緞帳にはおっきな熊を投げる金太郎の絵が!

お見事!

ん?

あれっ…

金太郎の足元をよっく見ると、その金太郎を片手で軽々と持ち上げる一寸法師が…

またまたお見事!!

一寸法師じゃなくて、親指姫?

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A town near Gotemba called Oyama is home to Kintaro. The name of the cultural centre our concert was held at was called "Kintaro Hall".
On the stage curtain was a huge picture of Kintaro throwing a bear!

Marvellous!

But..?
What?!

If you look at Kintaro's feet, you can see he is being held up with ease in the hand of a midget...
Bravo!

Perhaps not a midget, maybe Thumbelina?

藤本吉利 2008年5月31日Yoshikazu Fujimoto May 31, 2008

5月31日のオフ日、江刺・梁川金津流鹿踊の庭元・平野幸男さん宅に伺い、稽古場で第十代中立（なかだち）・及川俊一さんにご指導頂く。ザンジキシッコ・ザンジキシッコ・ザゴンコザンコ、研三! がんばれー!

梁川へ伺う前にしっかり腹ごしらえ! 昼食に遠野名物ジンギスカンを食べました。遠野食肉センターにて、ジンギスカン定食一人前1,250円なり、とっても美味しかったです。

国道283号線にある道の駅でのリラックスタイム。

栗生沢集落入り口にある鹿踊の看板の前で記念撮影。

午後4時前に伺い、夜10時過ぎまでお世話になりました。最後に記念撮影。三脚なしで、なんとかセルフタイマーで撮りました。今回、梁川へ伺ったのは、勝、研三、私の三人。他のメンバー、一成、菜月、勅雄、祐子の四人は西馬音内の方へ、洋介は滞在先の遠野で一人、マラソントレーニングに励んだとか?。
皆それぞれに充実したオフ日でありました。

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On May 31st we had the day off, and we visited the home of Esashi's Kanatsuryu Yanagawa Shishi Odori Master Yukio Hirano. We were lucky enough to be taught in his training hall by the group's centre man, Oikawa-san. Chanting "Zanjikishikko, zanjikishikko Zagonkozango" and yelling "Come on, Kenzo!"...

Before heading to Yanagawa we stopped off for a power lunch of Genghis Khan-style mutton and vegetables. It was only 1250 yen for the lunch course at the Tohno Meat Centre and it was so delicious!

We also stopped for along Route 283 for a little rest and relaxation.

And took a picture to commemorate the day by a sign at the entrance to Kuryuzawa Shuraku.

We got to the Hirano's at 4 and stayed until after 10pm. We had our group shot taken at the end of the visit, no tripod but still managed to fit us all in with the timer. It was just the three of us, Masaru , Kenzo, and I who visited Yanagawa this time. The other members, Kazunari, Natsuki, Tokio, and Yuko spent the day visiting Nishimonai, and Yosuke...perhaps he ran laps around Tohno for the day? In any case, it was a great day off for all of us.

見留知弘 2008年5月31日Tomohiro Mitome May 31, 2008

静岡県にやってきました!

今日はお休みで、近くのアウトレットへバスで出掛けました。
写真は、“ビフォー／アフター”です。

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We are in Shizuoka now!
Today is our day off and we took our bus for a day trip to the nearby outlet mall.
These two shots show us before and after our shopping.

藤本吉利 2008年5月27日Yoshikazu Fujimoto May 27 2008

先日5月23日、気仙沼の『ゆう寿司』さんで菜月のご両親に大ご馳走になりました。前列一番左がお父さん、前列で菜月と私との間がお母さんです。

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On May 23, Natsuki's parents treated us all to a feast at a Yu-sushi restaurant. Her dad is in the front row on the far left and her mum is between Natsuki and I.

気仙沼でしか食べられない? フカヒレのにぎり寿司! 最高でした。それとボリュームたっぷりのウニどんぶりフカヒレ入り、これまた最高にすごかったです。とってもハッピーな気仙沼でした。

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We had shark fin nigiri sushi, that maybe you can only get in their hometown (?), Kesennuma, and it was amazing. We also had big rice bowls with sea urchin and shark fin on top. Our stay in Kesennuma was fabulous!

交流学校公演班みんな元気に楽しく頑張っております。

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Everyone on the School Workshop-Performance Tour is doing well!

5月24日に泊まった大島の民宿・海鳳にて。4年前にも交流公演班はここに泊まっています。大歓迎を受けました。

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On the 24th we stayed in the same inn we stayed in 4 years ago on the School Tour. They gave us such a warm welcome back!

松浦充長 2008年5月26日Mitsunaga Matsuura May 26 2008

「研修所ラーメン」

研修生に関わるようになって、食事がすごく楽しみなんです。
おもてなしの心をすごく感じます。
見習わなくては…。

さて今日の食事は何かなぁ〜。
なんと「研修所ラーメン」。
美味しくいたただきました。

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"Apprentice Centre Ramen Noodles"

Spending time with the apprentices has made me really look forward to meals like they do.
It is nice to see people showing how they feel about things so openly.
I can learn alot from them...

So I was wondering what was for dinner today and it was none other than "Apprentice Centre Ramen Noodles."
It tasted so good!

見留知弘 2008年5月22日Tomohiro Mitome May 22 2008

東金公演にて。
私たちの舞台で欠かせない篠笛を作っていらっしゃる、蘭情さんの地元です。

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At our Togane Concert.
This is the hometown of Ranjo-san, who makes the bamboo flutes we use with pride on stage.

いつもたくさんの楽屋見舞いを頂き、グリーンルームは大賑わい。ソラマメは、蘭情さんが剥いてくださいました。とうもろこしに豪華なお弁当まで。
ツアー班だけではなく、佐渡の方にも送って頂いたそうです。

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He never fails to spoil us with tasty treats backstage which gets everyone excited. Ranjo shelled broadbeans for us himself. He brought us fresh corn and gourmet boxed lunches.
And it wasn't just us, he also sent treats to everyone at Kodo Village too!

お昼の時間、蘭情さんのお店に連れて行っていただきました。お店の前には、笛になるのを待っている篠竹がたくさん。お店の中には、篠笛奏者の方々のサインや写真もたくさんあり、鼓童の手拭いも飾っていただいてました。

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Around midday Ranjo took some of us to his store. There was a lot of bamboo out front waiting to be turned into flutes. Inside, there were autographs and photographs of so many bamboo flautists, and even a Kodo tenugui cloth on display.

Melanie Taylor May 21, 2008

The EC English Site is now open! Thank you for your patience. Looking forward to seeing you all on Sado this summer!

Earth Celebration 2008

Melanie Taylor May 12, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年5月12日

Yesterday the Kodo School Workshop-Performance Tour set off for their spring tour around Niigata, Iwate, and Tochigi. They set off in beautiful sunny weather, 8 people, two vehicles, and a lot of drums. They will be visiting 2 schools a day from today until the end of June. I hope the kids have a great time with them! Bon voyage!!!

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昨日、鼓童の交流学校公演班が新潟・岩手・栃木を回るツアーに出発しました。とてもよい天気のもと、8人とたくさんの太鼓が2台の車での旅立ち。今日から6月末まで　毎日学校2校に訪問します。子どもたちと一緒に楽しんでね! 気をつけていってらっしゃい!

Melanie Taylor Apr. 21 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年4月21日

Yesterday I went up to Aikawa in the north-west of Sado to cheer on our players at the Okesa Hana no Ran Festival. The cherry blossoms had began to fall and while the sun heated up the island during the day, there was still a good keen crowd at night when it got a lot chillier. Perhaps the free local sake helped keep the audience warm. The ending was fireworks, which put me in the mood for summer.
The cast for this show are going to spend the spring on tour together; they will be visiting 2 schools a day in May and June on the Kodo School Workshop Performance Tour. Lucky school kids, I think they are in for a big treat!

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きのう佐渡の北西にある相川へ、「おけさ華の乱」というフェスティバルで出演している鼓童メンバーを応援しに行ってきました。
桜の花は散り始めて、日中は晴れで島はとてもあたたかいです。夜はそれでも冷え込みましたが、お客さんが大勢あつまってくださいました。地元の方々のお酒の振り舞いが、みなさんを温かくしてくれたのではないかな?

フィナーレの花火をみて、夏が楽しみになってきました。この舞台の出演メンバーは、春のワン・アース・ツアーと同じ時期に交流学校公演ツアーに出ます。7人で5月〜6月の間、1日で二つの学校を公演してまわります。生徒さん、楽しみにしていて下さい。とても楽しい時間を一緒にすごせると思いますよ。

Melanie Taylor Mar 25, 2008

A wee track back, here we are leaving Basel for Amsterdam, off to collaborate with Blof. The plane was delayed, but when it finally came, it was so cute! Basel Airport is on three borders, on the corner of Germany, France and Switzerland. So this was us leaving Germany for the Netherlands. Now we are in Switzerland, in the last city of our tour, Luzern. Two concerts to go before we wing our way back to Japan. 2 months, 7 countries, 36 concerts. Two more concerts for a sold out crowd.

Here are Yosuke and Shogo, with a spring in their step. I am sure we are all going to sleep well on the flight back to Japan.

Melanie Taylor Mar 23, 2008

Here is a report from our truck driver Kurt about the drive from Lorrach in Germany to Amsterdam. OUr drums travel all over Europe by truck, so I wanted to share one of the truck travel stories with you:

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Since the beginning of the tour Masa san showed really intresest in the truck, so I asked if he would like to join for the drive to Amsterdam and to Montreux.
We left Lorrach after the show to be on time in Holland, little bit sad we drove night time
because very beautiful scenery. But I was very happy to have Masa with me on the trip,because
my navigation system was acting funny and I must say.. Masa is the best co driver I ever had.
Due to my Japanese navigation system we even arrived earlier than expected in Amsterdam, to the joy of Takuro san. He was very early in the venue waiting for us.

After the concerts with Blof, me and masa left day time to Montreux for the longest drive of the tour, 960 km, so with the waiting hours fort the truck it's like 26 hours truck time.
After 12 hours we went through the mountains from France and Masa felt a little bit like on Sado,
very small roads....then we had to stop for 9 h and it was Masa's first tuck sleep, so I could see the pleasure on his face.

We arrived at the customs from Swiss around 8 am and after almost 2 h we were able to continue our drive, to arrive in a very beautiful town around noon.

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Thanks Kurt for making sure our drums always get to the show in time!

風間正文 2008年3月12日 Masafumi Kazama Mar 12, 2008

ローラッハにて。

久しぶりの劇場形式の会館でしたが少しちいさくて、楽器の転換が奥の幕の後ろからしか出来ないというところでした。

この小さい劇場なのに消防士さんが二人も袖に待機しているのでした。
それも一番使いたい袖にです…。

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Lorrach, Germany.

It had been a while since we'd had a theater show, but this theater was tiny and the only space for waiting for set changes was behind the backdrop curtain.

And despite it being such a small venue, there were TWO firemen in the almost non-existent wingspace... which was the preicous offstage space we most wanted to use...

新井武志 2008年3月8日 Takeshi Arai Mar 8, 2008

会館の搬入口から大太鼓が入らず、正面入口、お客さんが入るところからの搬入です。
階段をえっちらおっちら。海外ツアーではたまにあるんですねぇ。こういうことが。

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Our odaiko (biggest srum) didn't fit through the loading entrance, so we had to bring it in through the audience entrance and through the theatre. Up lots of stairs. This kind of thing happens from time to time on our tours abroad.

ブレーメンと言えば音楽隊。
不肖わたくし、この物語をあまり知りませんでした。
調べてみると、ロバ・イヌ・ネコ・ニワトリの４匹は実はブレーメンには来ていないんですねぇ。途中の家でドロボーさんを追い出して、そこで仲良く暮らしたそうな。

ちなみに、姉妹都市は横浜だそうな。

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When you hear Bremen, you think of the Bremen Town Musicians.
Being me, I didn't know much about this story.
And when I looked it up, it turns out that the donkey, dog, cat and chicken never even came to Bremen. The chased some robbers out of a house on their way to Bremen and lived there happily ever after it seems.

By the way, Bremen's sister city is none other than Yokohama.

齊藤栄一 2008年3月4日 Eiichi Saito Mar 4, 2008

ドイツのシュトゥットガルトに来ています。
ツアーも中盤戦に入り公演の流れもバッチリ掴んで良い旅を続けております。

さて、年々劇場やホテルの環境は良くなって来ていますが、鼓童の初期からずっと変わらないのが洗濯事情。
これだけは必ず毎日やらなければ、トンデモナイ事になってしまいます。

今日は雅幸君と同室。彼は先程買ってきた粉洗剤を使って洗面所で洗濯に励んでおりますが、見ると泡が出ていないし洗剤特有の匂いもしません。

一応スーパーの洗剤売り場に並んでいる中から選んで来たらしいけれど、もしかして漂白剤?。箱に描いてある絵から想像すると洗濯機を洗う洗剤!?

心優しい(興味本位)アタシはネットで調べてあげました。

さぁ、ここで問題。
この洗濯に利用する洗剤の様なこの粉。洗濯時に入れますが何の為に使うと思います?
もちろん漂白剤でも洗濯機を洗う洗剤でもありません。

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I am in Stuttgart in Germany. We are right in the middle of the tour, used to the flow of the programme and really enjoying the feel of the shows.
The tour is going really well.

So, I have to say that every year our theater and hotel situations just get better and better, but something that has barely changed since the beginning of Kodo is the laundry situation.
This is the only thing that if you don't do bit by bit every day really gets out of hand.

Today I am sharing a room with Masayuki. he just got back from buying washing powder and is doing his laundry in the bathroom sink, but I noticed there are no bubbles in the water and it doesn't smell like detergent soap...

It was lined up on the shelf with the other detergents on the supermarket shelf, but could it be he had chosen bleach? From the picture ont he box, it seemed like it might be what you wash the washing machine with!?

Being so kind (and curious!) I looked it up online for him.

So, here is the quiz for you.
What did he buy?
It is something you put in a washing machine, but it is not washing powder or bleach or something you wash a washing machine with.
What could it be?

吉井盛悟 2008年3月2日その2 Shogo Yoshii Mar 2, 2008 Part2

ヨーロッパの通常開演時間は少し遅く、20時くらいの開演が多いんです。と、なると終演後の搬出作業はかなり遅い時間になります。この日は搬入口が住宅の向かいということから搬出時の騒音に対するクレームを懸念し、舞台監督から「一言も喋らないでね！」と指令がでました。

普段から舞台上の静寂にかなりのプライドをもっている我々ですから、それはもう意地になって「静寂」を追求しました。50近い太鼓、台や小物、バチ、その他…100近い項目の荷物が無言でかつ正確に順番通りにトラックに収まっていく光景は最高。芸術です。
そうだよな…舞台とほぼ同じくらい毎日のように積み込んでるんだもんな…。目をつぶってもできるかも…。

でも、この日は集中力をかなり消費…。公演2回分の疲労を稼いだ気がします…

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Our performances on the European Tour usually start at 8:00pm, which is late compared to what we are used to in Japan. So by the time we have loaded our drums and gear into to the truck after the two hour show, it is usually pretty late at night. Today when we were loading out from the concert hall in Munich, the exit nearest our truck was very close to a residential zone, so they gave us strict instructions to "not utter a single word!" as they had received complaints in the past and thus stopped using that particular exit at night.
We are used to priding ourselves on preserving silence as appropriate on stage, so we were adament we would be able to do just that even off stage.
About 50 drums, and then when you count the stands, drumsticks, cases of gear and costumes...it was an awesome sight watching over a 100 pieces of cargo go silently into the truck in the required order. It was pure art. But I guess that is just it. It is about the same thing we do every day we have a concert. So maybe we could even do it with our eyes closed.
But this silent packing really used up all our concentration powers. I feel like it took almost the same effort as two performances.

(Translator's comment by Melanie: Kurt our truck driver still cannot believe the "Charlie Chaplin" unload, which he knows his stage builder friends in Belgium wouldn't be able to imagine. People joked by shushing each other for sneezing, and were trying not to laugh at the funny gestures. Me, I am still laughing about the fact that when I got on the elevator after the truck was packed, Masayuki, Natsuki and Shogo were all five times noisier than usual, which startled my ears like a sneak attack of drumming. The silence was deafening, another day of sound extremes with Kodo for me.)

吉井盛悟 2008年3月2日その1 Shogo Yoshii Mar 2, 2008 Part1

ヨーロッパツアーの面白味は多様な舞台のスタイルにもあります。
劇場スタイルやコンサートホール、その日の舞台の形式や造りによって出す音や動作などを微妙に調整します。

この日はコンサートホールだったのですが舞台自体がホームベース型をしていました。自分では真っすぐ前を向いているつもりが舞台の面につられてちょっぴり斜めを向いてしまいそう…。しかし、遊び心をくすぐってくれるのもこういった舞台にあります。舞台の先まで敢えて行ってみたり…。

そういえば研修時代に柿野浦の鬼太鼓を習ったとき、「場所よって踊りを変えろ。」と鬼打ち名人の小川さんに言われたことを思い出しました。
んぅ。応用、応用。

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One of the fun things about touring in Europe is the various styles of stages we perform on. Some are theatres, some are concert halls, and the form of the stage each day affects how we move and make sound in each show.
Today in Munich we were performing at a concert hall on a stage shaped like a baseball homebase.
I would be trying to face straight ahead and then realise I was turning towards the wrong edge of the stage...
But this stage in other pieces gave me the chance to play with the shape, and see how well I could use the unique platform entirely.
It reminds me of when I was an apprentice learning Ondeko in Kakinoura and was told by the famous demon drummer Mr Ogawa, "Change your dance to suit the place!"
Very practical advice...

堀つばさ 2008年2月25日 Tsubasa Hori Feb 25, 2008

私は太鼓を叩くときいろんなイメージをもって演奏します。今回こちらで初演となった新曲「水の森」では、言葉ではとても表現できない様々な青色や、水に差し込む白い光の色の変化などを頭の中で描いて演奏しています。

私がヨーロッパの旅で好きなことのひとつは身近に美術が楽しめることで、今日は大好きなゴッホの絵を美術館で観ました。そのゴッホの絵の風のざわめきは「水の森」のイメージととても通じるものがあり、また私のイメージに新しい風が吹き込まれた気分でもあり、こういうインスピレーションを受けたときはほんとにドキドキします。
出会いってほんとに面白いですよね。

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When I play taiko I perform with a lot different images in my head, but for my newly debuted composition "Mizu no Mori" I have an array of visions blue colours and changing hues of white light shining through water which I find impossible to explain in words.

One of things I love about touring through Europe is that I can appreciate a lot of art while I'm here, and today in Hamburg I saw one of my favourite Van Gogh pictures at an art gallery. The feeling of staring into that picture feels connected to "Mizu no Mori" for me, and it also felt like it brought new depths to the imagery I have for the song. When inspiration hits you like that, it really makes your heart pound. New encounters are truly fascinating.

阿部一成 2008年2月23日 Kazunari Abe Feb 23, 2008

ルクセンブルグにやってきました。
この国で公演するのは初めて。
ワン・アース・ツアー、45ヶ国目の国です。
まだまだ訪れていない国、街は果てしなくあれど、音を届けることのできる空間がまた少し広がったことに素直に感謝し、喜びたいです。

（私事ですがこの日34年目が始まりました。たくさんの方にお祝いしていただき、ほんとうに幸せものです。恩返しできるよう、自分の空間もまた、広げてゆきたいです。）

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We are now in Luxembourg. It is Kodo's first time performing in this country, so it is the 45th country we have visited on our One Earth Tour.
I know there are still so many places we have yet to visit, but I am really grateful and happy about the chance to have my music reach new ears here.

(Today marks my 34th year on the planet. I felt so happy to have so many people wish me a Happy Birthday. To pay them back for their kindness, I want to broaden my horizons and see what more I can do.)

齊藤栄一 2008年2月19日その2 Eiichi Saito Feb 19, 2008 Part2

前出のおじいちゃんが作ったと云う大太鼓人形。
折角!?なのでコラボレートしてみました。

このおじいちゃん、音響機材のお店をやっているだけあって公演後すぐにアタシの所へ来てポケットから何やら取り出し、「今日の公演は95デシベルだったよ。」と嬉しそうに計測器の使い方を教えてくれました。
コンサートをこっそり録音する人は居ると思うけど…、かなりの音マニアです。

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Here is the doll that the gentleman I was talking about prior made.
I didn't want to miss the chance to collaborate "him".

This gentleman runs a sound equipment shop, so it wasn't entirely surprising he came straight up to me after the show and pulled something from his pocket...
"Today's show was 95 decibels!" he said excitedly showing me how his sound meter worked.
I am sure some sneaks record the concerts...but I guess it is great for sound freaks too.

齊藤栄一 2008年2月19日その1 Eiichi Saito Feb 19, 2008 Part 1

ベルギー・ハッセルトでの公演はナント16年振り。
もうすっかり忘れられているだろうなぁなどと思っていたらば…

この77歳のおじいちゃん久し振りに鼓童が来る事を聞き付けて、仕舞ってあった当時のポスター(モデルはアタシよ)やら自作の人形やらを引っ張り出して自分のお店(音響機材関係)に飾って宣伝していてくれたそうです。

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It is hard to believe that it is 16 years since Kodo last performed in Hasselt.
I was sure they had all forgotten about us by now.....
And then a 77 year old gentleman showed up telling us that when he heard Kodo was coming back to town he pulled out his 15 year old Kodo poster (I am the model in the photo!) and a model he'd made of the Odaiko and players and displayed it in his audio equipment shop to advertise the show.

公演当日はそれらを持って楽屋まで訪ねて来てくれた上に、翌日の移動日にはホテルまで見送りにも。
ありがとう、熱いおじいちゃん! 本当に大感激の一日でした。

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He brought the poster and model backstage to show us on the day of the concert, came to watch the show that night (after work!), and the next day came to see us off from the hotel.Thank you kind sir!
It was really an overwhelming good day because of you!

砂畑好江 2008年2月14日 Yoshie Sunahata Feb 14, 2008

BLØFとのリハーサル。

オランダの人気バンド「BLØF」とのライブリハーサルでのひとコマです。
今回のジョイント曲の一つ、「峰の風」を稽古中。時間がないから必死です…。
そして、待ち時間の過ごし方は人それぞれ。おや、見なれない人が笛を吹いております。

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At the rehearsal with popular Dutch band Blof in Zeeland.

Here we are practising one of the songs we are going to perform together this time, "Mine o Kaze."
We are cramming in the practise as we are pressed for time.
And people waiting for their own rehearsals use their time in different ways... it is hard to get used to seeing some people playing different instruments for a change!

そしてそして、この日はバレンタインデー！！
鼓童ガールズより愛を込めて…。

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And it was Valentine's Day!!
From the Kodo Girls with love to all the boys.

Melanie Taylor Feb 13, 2008

Here we are in Renesse, Zeeland, the Netherlands. An early morning stroll in the mist led us to ponies and a bar on the beach that makes it very clear whether it is open or closed.
This morning we begin two days of rehearsals with Dutch band BLØF for next months Amsterdam shows.

Melanie Taylor Feb 12, 2008

In Liverpool, Natsuki had Masayuki in the palm of her hand. Here we are at the historic Brittania Hotel.

阿部研三 2008年2月11日 Kenzo Abe Feb 11, 2008

イギリス、リバプールにて。

七年ぶりのリバプール公演。私にとっては、はじめての公演地です。
前回と同じ劇場だそうですが、搬入口が狭く、大太鼓もぎりぎり入るくらいの小さくて古い劇場です。
でも本番が始まると、満員御礼でお客さんとの距離が近く、とても気持ちのいい劇場でした。
劇場の近所にはイギリスで最大の大聖堂がそびえ立ち、あまりの大きさに思わずため息が出るくらいです。
残念ながら夜に移動してきたため、街中はあまり散歩できませんでしたがとても趣のある街でした。
また来たいなぁ…。

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We hadn't had a show in Liverpool in seven years, and for me it was my first concert here.
It was the same concert hall as the time before, with a very small door for us to bring the odaiko drum through, and the little old stage was a very snug fit for the drum on just its stand.
But once the show began for the full house crowd, the audience was so close and the atmosphere was amazing.
Near the theatre the streets housed many enormous cathedrals; their size was breath-taking.
As we arrived in the middle of the night and only had a day in town for the show, sadly we didn't get much time to look around, but you could tell from just a glance that the town was full of soul.
I wanna come back someday...

Our staff room was also the "wingspace".

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スタッフ楽屋はそでの楽器置き場でもありました。

Photo by Melanie

小田洋介 2008年2月10日 Yosuke Oda Feb 10, 2008

ゲーツヘッド二日目。

今日は朝から太鼓のワークショップがありました。
講師はなんと私、小田洋介です。しかもワークショップ講師デビューです!!!!

今日のテーマは音に気持ちを乗せる。気持ちを音にする。
和太鼓初めての人達はどうなるかと思いきや、いやいや楽器ははすばらしい。言葉が少なくても伝わるなと思いました。

でもメラニーがかなり通訳してました…ありがと。
よし、目標は言葉が無くていいワークショプだ!!!

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Gateshead, Day Two.

Today we had a workshop in the morning, and the instructor was none other than me, Yosuke Oda.
And it was my debut as a teacher!!!

The them for the day was putting your feelings into your sound Or turning your feelings into sound.
I was wondering how the first time taiko players would go but it just goes to show what a wonderful instrument the taiko is...
I was surprised how much you can say without words.

But Melanie helped me out a lot translating what I was saying... thanks.
So next time my goal is a workshop that I can run without needing so many words!!!

Melanie Taylor Feb 8, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年2月8日

Here we are in Birmingham!
With some new faces from Sado...

A new band...

And an array of entertaining characters, you can see, this tour is full of surprises...

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バーミンガムにやってきました!
佐渡島からのニューフェイス…。

あたらしいユニット…。

おもしろいキャラクターいろいろで、ご覧の通り、このツアーはびっくり箱みたいです。

But this lovely lady surprised us with a painting of our Odaiko and soloist. We are loving seeing so many smiles like hers along the way.

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でもこのやさしい方が　大太鼓の絵で　私達を驚かせてくださいました。彼女みたいな素敵な笑顔を　旅でたくさん出会えることを楽しんでいます。

坂本雅幸 2008年2月6日 Masayuki Sakamoto Feb 6, 2008

ここマンチェスターは、サッカーチームのマンチェスターユナイテッドの本拠地。
鼓童サッカー部の武志さん一樹さんは少々興奮気味。さっそく空港に貼ってあった選手のポスターの前で写真を撮っていました。
二年前に来たときは、夜中に着いたので全く町が見られませんでした。が、今回は移動日の朝に町を散歩したり、たまたま見つけたマンチェスター美術館を見たりして、少しだけゆっくり過ごすことができました。

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Here I am in Manchester, home to the soccer team Manchester United.
Kodo soccer club members Takeshi and Kazuki were a little hyped, and when we got off the plane they were taking pictures with the Man U poster by the baggage claim.
When we came here 2 years ago we arrived in the middle of the night and didn't get to see the town at all.
This time we had the morning before we left for Birmingham free, and I happened upon the Manchester Art Gallery and was able to relax a bit more.

(Photos by Melanie of Masayuki on his way back from the art gallery, and crossing the road behind the Bridgewater Hall)

斎藤菜月 2008年2月3日 Natsuki Saito Feb 3, 2008

ダブリン。夜の町は歌とお酒で盛り上がる人達でいっぱいです。
なんて楽しそうにわらう町なんだろう。素敵なところでした。

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Dublin. The town was brimming with people partying, singing and drinking.
i wonder why it's such a fun and smiling place...
It was just grand.

Melanie Taylor Feb 3, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年2月3日

Dublin.

Where do you think these two are off to when it is only 3 hours until showtime?
Church on Sunday with me? Yes indeed.

Kazunari asked me the day prior if he would be allowed to play his piece "Inori Uta" at the Christ Church Cathedral, where he had visited on the 2006 tour and been inspired to write the song. The most famous chruch in Dublin on a Sunday... we can but ask I thought. A few calls were made and Yoshie, Kazunari and I were in a taxi, off to church between our rehearsals and the church's services to perform the piece for their own experience.

I read them the prayer on the wall about light, and we lit a candle each. As they performed, it was just me as the audience, and the vicar and priests listened from afar as the sound of voice and bamboo flute filled the cathedral. It was quite emotional for us all as the vicar has such a beautiful aura about him as he welcomed us in and granted our somewhat extraordinary request. He assured us we would meet there again in such a way you couldn't help but believe him.

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ダブリンにて。

この二人、ショーが始まるまでのたった3時間、どこに行ったかと思いますか？
私と一緒に日曜日の教会へ? そう、その通り!

この日の前日、一成がキリスト教大聖堂にて、彼の作曲した「いのりうた」を演奏できないかどうか聞いてきました。彼は2006年にここを訪れた時に感動し、この曲を作ったそうです。ダブリンで一番有名な教会、しかも日曜日…。無理を承知でお願いしてみました。何度か電話した後、一成と好江、そして私とでタクシーに乗り込みました。公演のリハーサルと教会の礼拝の合間を縫い、この曲を演奏しに行ったのです。

私は一成と好江に、壁に書いてあった“光”についての祈りを読み、みんなでろうそくに明かりをともしました。二人が演奏している間、観客は私一人。唄と笛が大聖堂いっぱいに響き渡り、牧師さんたちは遠くでその聴いていて下さいました。 このとんでもないお願いを快諾してくれた牧師さんは本当に素晴らしい方で、私たちは感無量。またいつか、こういった形でここで再会することも約束してくれました。

Here they are outside the cathedral. It was a truly special experience for all involved.

Yoshie turned heads as we walked back to the taxi.

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ここは大聖堂の外。私たちにとって本当に貴重な経験となりました。

タクシーに向かう間、好江は通行人の注目を浴びていました。

Melanie Taylor Feb 1, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年2月1日

Ireland.
Today we travelled from London to Dublin. The ferries were cancelled causing our truck delays, but we all flew from London.

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アイルランドにて。
今日はダブリンからロンドンへの移動日。フェリーが欠航したので、トラックを残し、私たちはロンドンから飛行機で移動しました。

I was able to blend in well in my green coat.
And we found a poster greeting us at the artist's entrance to the National Concert Hall. The players signed it after the two sellout shows in Dublin as a gift to the venue.

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私の緑のコートとこの郵便ポスト、いいコンビネーションだと思いませんか？
ナショナルコンサートホールの出演者入り口にて、 ポスターがお出迎え。ダブリンでの２回公演のチケットは両日とも完売。会館へのお礼として、メンバーからこのポスターにサインをしました。

Here is a shot from the audience seats of us unloading and setting up. The audience surrounded the stage 360 degrees so the players were literally giving smiles all around during the show.

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これは客席からみた搬入とセットアップです。ここでは、なんと客席が360度ステージを囲んでいるのです。公演中、プレイヤーは文字通り「四方八方」に笑顔を振りまいていましたよ〜。

吉井盛悟 2008年1月31日 Shogo Yoshii Jan 31, 2008

ベーシングストーク公演

ロンドンで初日を迎え、ベイシングストークは二公演目。このツアーの演目の流れにも慣れ、どの場面で何がどの様に伝わっているかも意識するようになりました。

今回私が関わっている演目「云 un」は、途中で口上を挟みます。
海外の舞台で「言葉」はどう伝わっているのか…。これが意外にも楽しんでもらえている様子。「言葉」を「言語」としてではなく「リズム」として表現する。「日本語」の面白味をどう伝えるか。

私自身、楽しみつつ、舞台に立っています。

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Basingstoke

After our opening night in London, we had our second concert in Basingstoke. We had gotten used to the flow of the show and had become aware of how the audience would react to each piece.

In one of the pieces I perform in, "Un", there is a spoken section in the middle. Outside of Japan, I wonder how my "words" come across to the audience...
They seem to enjoy my banter more than I could have expected. I am speaking words not as vocabulary but rather as rhythm. I wonder how I can convey the interesting traits of the Japanese language to the patrons. I look forward to this challenge and their reactions every time I take the stage.

中込健太 2008年1月30日 Kenta Nakagome Jan 30, 2008

ロンドン公演。
ヨーロッパツアー初日ということもあり緊張しましたが、お客さんが温かく迎えてくださり、気持ちよく演奏することができました。

オフの日にはロンドン観光をしました。中でも僕は大英博物館の大きさに驚きました。展示されていたミイラにしばらく見入ってしまいました。一日かけてバッキンガム宮殿、現代美術館テート・モダン、タワーブリッジ、ビッグベンを見て回り、とても充実した休日となりました。

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The London performance was the opening night for our European Tour, and I was nervous, but the audience were so warm and welcoming, and I had a really good time performing for them on stage.

On our day off in London I went sightseeing. I was maybe most surprised by how huge the British Museum was, and found myself entranced looking at the mummies on display. I spent a whole day doing the rounds of Buckingham Palace, the Tate Modern, Tower Bridge and Big Ben so I felt like I had an amazing holiday in London.

Melanie Taylor Jan 28, 2008 メラニー・テイラー 2008年1月28日

Here we are in Oxford Circus, walking to the tube station to go to the Royal Festival Hall.

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ここはオックスフォード・サーカス。地下鉄の駅まで歩き、ロイヤル・フェスティバル・ホールへと向かうところです。

The hall is right beside the London Eye, and a truck was waiting with all our sea-shipped drums and equipment in 20 boxes.
We unpacked the container load and everything hasd arrived safe and sound.

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会館の真横にはロンドン・アイ（※）が。トラックは、船便で到着する太鼓と備品、あわせて20箱を待っているところです。
みんなでコンテナーから荷物を取り出しました。太鼓は全て無事に届いていました。ひと安心。

Afterwards, a few of us went out for Thai food that came in bento boxes... the first of many international fusion menus for our week stay in London.

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その後、何人かでお弁当スタイルのタイ料理を食べに行きました。ロンドンにはたくさんの各国料理がありますが、その最初の一品。ロンドンには一週間の滞在となります。

※ロンドン・アイ（London Eye）は、イギリス・ロンドンにある観覧車。大きさは直径135m、カプセル1個当たりの定員は25人と、共に世界一。

斎藤菜月 2008年1月27日 Natsuki Saito Jan 27, 2008

搭乗待ちの様子です。
皆様いってきま〜す!

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Here we are, waiting to get on our plane to London.
We'll be back in a bit!

石塚充 2008年1月26日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Jan 26, 2008

ヨーロッパツアー、始まります！！
2008年の一発目となるこの旅、今回の舞台では「これからのヨーロッパ！」というところに目線を向けて、今までのOne Earth Tourと少〜し雰囲気を変えてつくってみました。

短〜い稽古期間の中で（まあ、いつものことなんですが…）新しいものを突貫でがちゃがちゃ組み立てていったので、メンバーたちにはずいぶん苦労をかけてしまいましたが、なかなか面白い旅になりそうですよ!!

詳しいことは、ヨーロッパツアー特設サイトをご覧ください。
全文英語ですが、プログラムなんかもチラッと書いてあったりしますから、がんばって読んでみてください。

あ、それと、ワタクシのブログのほうもよろしくお願いします。
旅のあれこれ、舞台のあれこれ、
日記がわりに書きなぐってます。

みつるくんのまゆげ

このツアー、稽古初めの日から雪がふりはじめました。
昨日の稽古最終日には「爆弾低気圧」に見舞われました。
…う〜ん…

いってきます!!

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The European Tour is about to begin!
For our first journey of 2008, I put together this show with "Europe's future" in mind and made the feeling of the show a little different to the One Earth Tour performances in the past.

During our limited rehearsal days (which is what we are used to) new ideas leapt out and we pieced them together like lego. I made a lot of work for the players, but I think we have come up with a show that is going to provide us with a fascinating trek around Europe!

For details, please check out the special Europe Tour site.
It is all in English and has the programme and fliers images, etc, and it is worth a read.

Oh, and please have a look at my blog too. I'll write about my travels, the show, and keep it like my own diary.

Mitsuru's Eyebrows (Blog)

This tour took on a snowy start right from the bginning of the rehearsals. The last day of rehearsals yesterday was a "explosive low ". Oh dear...

And off we go!

Melanie Taylor Jan 25, 2008

Here is the sea on our way from Sado to Honshuu to head to the airport and set off for Europe.
It was snowing on Sado when we left and the sea was so rocky. Snow was blown onto the boat and the waves were crashing.
What a blustery start to the tour... I wonder how the European winter will compare...?

メラニー・テイラー 2008年1月21日 Melanie Taylor Jan 21,2008

いよいよ、ワン・アース・ツアー班がヨーロッパへ出発します。
楽しみにしています。
この写真はスイスのプロモーター、マリアさんからいただきました。チューリッヒ駅にて、高さ5メートルの鼓童ポスター。
すごい!
スイスの国鉄が鼓童公演をスポンサーしています。
全国の駅で鼓童のポスターが見られるかな？

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We are about to set off on the 2008 Europe Tour, I can't wait!
This picture was sent through by Maria, our promotor in Switzerland. It's a 5m high Kodo Poster hanging in the main train station in Zurich. Awesome, huh?
Swiss Rail are sponsoring the One Earth Tour shows in Switzerland... I wonder if there are loincloth clad Kodo posters in every station through the land?

メラニー・テイラー 2007年12月16日 Melanie Taylor Dec 16, 2007

今年の佐渡の冬の初吹雪で　準メンバーは何をしているでしょうか？

Yesterday was the first blizzard in Sado this winter, and what are these junior members up to?

送り太鼓というと　アース・セレブレーションの小木港が有名ですが　冬の見送りはこういう感じです。
佐渡空港で　仲間を見送りにいきました。飛行機のエンジンの音がうるさくて　彩は聞こえたかな?

Most people associate Okuri Daiko (Farewell taiko) with the EC and Ogi Port in summer, but this is what happens for Okuri Daiko in winter.
We saw off a friend at Sado Airport yesterday. I wonder if he could hear us playing "Irodori" over the noise of the engines...

Melanie Taylor Nov 13, 2007

Today the players packed all the drums and equipment we need for our upcoming Europe 2008 tour. The size of the truck compared to the other cars shows just how much luggage we are sending by sea. The tour lasts for 2 months from Jan 27 - Mar 27, but we had to send off the drums before our December Concerts tour. The packing list is 5 pages long, and one very special member, the Odaiko (biggest drum) gets its own box. We look forward to seeing all the drums in London in the new year, and to seeing everyone waiting for us along our tour path too!

Melanie Taylor Aug 24, 2007

This is a photo from Yasuo Igarashi, the stage & sound manager of the Kisaki Shrine Fringe Stage at EC2007. Yoshie Honma and I were the MCs for the fringe this year, and he snapped us during our closing remarks on the 3rd and final day of the event, after the Ondeko (Demon drummers) performed and the audience had run off to eat and get ready to queue for the Shiroyama Concert. Yoshie and I were first timers at the MCing, but the sound staff made everything a breeze for us, and the performers were awesome, making the crowds withstand the rain, the heat, and burning sun to soak up the good vibes and sounds that filled the air. Igarashi-san threatened to make a poster of this pic and advertise us as a new comedy duo... I wonder if we'd get any offers?!?

見留知弘 2007年6月4日 Tomohiro Mitome June 04, 2007

宮崎県宮崎市から、鹿児島県志布志市志布志町志布志への移動日です。

移動途中、日南・道の駅フェニックスに寄りました。
場所は、堀切峠。
http://miyazaki.daa.jp/nichinan/

海岸一帯は鬼の洗濯板がずーっと続いており、下に降りる階段があったので、降りてみました。

充くんは、かなり波打ち際まで行ってました。

そのあとバスはしばらく海岸線を走りましたが、鬼の洗濯板はしばらく続いていて、「どうやって出来たんだろう?」「いつ頃出来たんだろう?」、規則正しく並んでいる岩を見ながら、自然って凄いなーと感心しておりました。

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Today we are traveling from Miyazaki City in Miyazaki Prefecture to Shibushi in Shibushicho in Shibushi City in Kagoshima Prefecture.
On the way, we stopped at the Nichinan Phoenix Rest Area, in Horikiri Pass.

Right along the coastline stretches the "Demon's Washboard", and we found a staircase and followed it down the cliff.
Mitsuru went all the way down to the waves pounding the rocks.

After that, our bus followed the coastal road for quite a while, and the the "Demon's Washboard" was beside us for a long way.
"How was it formed?" "I wonder how long it's been there?"
Looking at the precise lines of rock formations, I was impressed by the wonder of nature.

石塚充 2007年6月4日 Mitsuru Ishizuka June 04, 2007

太陽の国の野菜たち!
宮崎にて。
みな、いい顔してますなあ。

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The vegetables of Sunshine Country!
In Miyazaki.
A good-looking bunch, don't you think?

阿部一成 2007年6月2日 Kazunari Abe June 02, 2007

『地鶏ナイト☆』

誰の目でしょ?
ヒント♪このふたりのどちらかです。

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"Chicken Night"

Who does this eye belong to?
Hint: It belongs to one of these two guys.

見留知弘 2007年6月1日 Tomohiro Mitome Jun 01, 2007

今日は宮崎に移動してまいりました。
そして県庁に出掛けてきました！

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Today we traveled to Miyazaki.
And took an outing to the prefectural office!
(The cutout is of comedian-turned-politican Mr. Higashikokubaru)

見留知弘 2007年5月31日 Tomohiro Mitome May 31, 2007

熊本県水俣市は、サミーちゃんこと宮崎正美の出身地であります。
ご実家が“蜂楽饅頭”という、九州では知られているお店を経営されているんですよー。

公演日の朝に、宿から近いお店の写真を撮りに行った時に、運良く鼓童のトラックが通りかかったので一緒に写せました。

公演の仕込みが終わった頃に、正美さんのお母様がたくさんの楽屋見舞いを持って来られました。
アツアツの蜂楽饅頭!!
裕一郎と充が食べてる後ろに写っているのが、正美さんのお母様です。

ご馳走様でした、有難うございました!!

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Minamata City in Kumamoto Prefecture is the hometown of player Masami "Sammy-chan" Miyazaki.
Her family runs "Horaku Manju," a well-known shop in Kyushu. (Manju are Japanese-style buns stuffed with azuki-bean paste.)

On the morning of the day of our concert there, since it was close to our hotel, we passed the store and took a picture, and were lucky to catch the back of the Kodo truck in the shot, too!

When we had finished unloading our gear, Masami's mother brought us a gift to enjoy backstage.
Horaku Manju, hot from the oven!
Behind Yuichiro and Mitsur eating, you can see Masami's lovely mother.

Thank you so much for the delicious treats!!

後藤美奈子 2007年5月30日 Minako Goto May 30, 2007

松本市内で発見。

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Look what I spotted in Matsumoto City.
(It's a restaurant called "Yoshikazu")

石塚充 2007年5月30日 Mitsuru Ishizuka May 30, 2007

そういえば愛媛で、おへんろさん人形。モデルは誰だろう…。

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I forgot to say, but in Ehime, I saw a Henro (pilgrim) soft toy. I wonder who the model was...

後藤美奈子 2007年5月29日 Minako Goto May 29, 2007

ただいま松本市内の小学校で公演中。

写真上
子どもたちが授業の中で取り組んでいるエイサーを披露してくれました。太鼓は手作りだそうです。
「楽しみにしているのでがんばってください」とご挨拶。

写真下
アーバンな雰囲気ですが、ミーティング中です。

-----

Here we are performing at an elementary school in Matsumoto City.

Top Picture:
The children have been learning Eisa as part of their curriculum, so they performed it for us. They made the drums themselves.
They said to us, "We are looking forward to your performance, please give it your all!"

Bottom picture:
Although it looks quite relaxed, this is us having a meeting.

見留知弘 2007年5月29日 Tomohiro Mitome May 29, 2007

博多といえば、屋台にラーメン!

裕一郎君の満面の笑み!
美味しかったです!!

-----

When in Hakata, you've got to eat ramen noodles at a stall!
Yuichiro's smile took up most of his face!
It was really delicious!!

石塚充 2007年5月28日 Mitsuru Ishizuka May 28, 2007

長崎カステラ人形…。

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A Nagasaki Castella sponge cake soft toy.

阿部一成 2007年5月28日 Kazunari Abe May 28, 2007

「カレー部長☆旅日記その2 〜 5月28日」

旅は四国から山陰を経由し九州へと進んでいます。

5月19日 昼☆カツカレー
松山から土佐清水への道すがら。
カレー部副部長もカツカレー。

5月21日 昼☆窪川ポークカレー
土佐清水から高知への道すがら。
部員ではないけど雅幸もポークカレー。

5月21日 夜☆パラック・パニール
高知市内の屋台村みたいなとこで。
夜は部長ソロ活動。インドカレーの中でイチ押し、ほうれん草とチーズのカレー。

5月25日 昼☆カレーライス
島根から佐賀への道すがら。
シンプルにカレーライス。新井さんは今日もやっぱりラーメン。

5月25日 夜☆ほうれん草カレー
佐賀駅内にて。
昼夜カレーはなるべく避けようとは思うのですが、めっちゃうまそうで我慢できず…、めっちゃうまかったです。

5月28日 昼☆あいのりプレート
長崎から福岡への道すがら。
菜月とカレー部広報部長もあいのりプレート（カレーと牛丼の相乗り）。

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Curry Club President's Log Part 2 - May 28

Our tour is moving along from Shikoku, through western Honshu, and now over to Kyushu.

May 19: Lunch - Cutlet Curry
On the way from Matsuyama to Tosa Shimizu.
The Curry Club Vice President had Cutlet Curry, too.

May 21: Lunch - Kubokawa Pork Curry
On the way from Tosa Shimizu to Kochi City.
He isn't a club member, but Masayuki had pork curry, too.

May 21: Dinner - Palak Paneer
In the food stall village-like place.
The president was flying solo. A classic favorite Indian curry made of spinach and cheese.

May 25: Lunch - (Japanese) Curry and Rice
On the road from Shimane to Saga.
A simple curry with rice. Mr Arai had ramen noodles again, as expected.

May 25: Dinner - Spinach Curry
At the Saga train station.
I want to try and avoid eating curry for both lunch and dinner when possible, put it looked too good to resist...and it was really good!

May 28: Lunch - Ainori (Carpool) Plate
On the road from Nagasaki to Fukuoka.
Natsuki and the Curry Club Reporter both had Ainori Plates too. (A duo of curry and a beef-on-rice dish)

後藤美奈子 2007年5月26日 Minako Goto May 26, 2007

新潟市内から長野県松本市まで移動です。
姨捨サービスエリアにて。

【左】記念撮影。武田“盛悟”信玄と上杉“研三”謙信。
【右】どこぞの添乗員さん…ではなく、一樹。

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On our way from Niigata City to Matsumoto City in NaganoPrefecture, we stopped at the Obasute Service Area.

[Left] A photo for the album. Shingen "Shogo" Takeda and Kenshin "Kenzo" Uesugi.
[Right] A tour conductor... nope! It's Kazuki.

後藤美奈子 2007年5月25日 Minako Goto May 25, 2007

25日は新潟市内中学校の公演の最終日。
この期間で18校25回、約8,000名の中学生の皆さんに公演をみていただきました。

今日の学校では生徒さんたちが準備と片付けを手伝ってくれました。
気持ちよく働く男の子たち、こちらがファンになりました。

写真は公演中、生徒さん達に語りかける一樹。

-----

Today was our last day of concerts at junior high schools around Niigata City.
During our time in town, we gave 25 concerts at 18 schools to around 8,000 junior high school students.

At the school we visited today the students helped us set up and pack up.
We ended up becoming fans of these young guys who enjoyed their work.

The photo is of Kazuki talking to the students during the concert.

松浦充長 2007年5月25日 Mitsunaga Matsuura May 25, 2007

【名前】
左：エイイチ
右：タツヤ

【特徴】
・気が優しい
・お酒が大好き

【注意書き】
〇フラッシュはたかないで下さい。
〇ガラスを叩くとびっくりするので、叩かないでね。

-----

[Name]
Left: Eiichi (pronounced "ay-ee-chee")
Right: Tatsuya (pronounced "taht-soo-yah")

[Special Characteristics]
Gentle
Likes alcohol

[Warning]
Please refrain from using flash photography.
Please do not tap the glass, it will startle them.

見留知弘 2007年5月23日 Tomohiro Mitome May 23, 2007

高知県高知市から、島根県益田市への移動日。

瀬戸大橋を渡って、本州へ入りました。

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Today we are traveling from Kochi City in Kochi Prefecture to Masuda City in Shimame Prefecture.
We have just crossed over the Seto Bridge to Honshu.

松浦充長 2007年5月23日 Mitsunaga Matsuura May 23, 2007

【左】
次の座は…
知弘&洋介の新コンビ結成か！
...... (￣□￣;)!!

今回のツアーを観た方はわかりますよね。(^_^;)
実際は自分の席の汚れた窓を拭く知弘さんでした。

【右】
仲大輔くんの心のなか…。

　お父さんお母さん元気ですか。
　僕は元気です。
　愛媛のみかんは美味しかったです。

みつが写真を見て想像してみました。
ρ(..、) ヾ(＾-＾;)

-----

[Left]
And the latest Kodo act...
is by our new duo Tomohiro & Yosuke?!
...... (￣□￣;)!!

If you have seen us on this tour already you'll know...(^_^;)
In fact, Tomohiro just wanted to clean the window by his seat!

[Right]
In Daisuke Naka's head...

"Mum and Dad,
How are you?
I am doing well.
The oranges in Ehime were really good."

That's what I can imagine he's thinking by looking at this picture...
ρ(..、) ヾ(＾-＾;)

阿部一成 2007年5月23日 Kazunari Abe May 23, 2007

「童心」

移動中って、ほんと腰とか背中が固まるんすよ…。

-----

"Young at heart"

Life on the road really does your back in...!

後藤美奈子 2007年5月22日 Minako Goto May 22, 2007

秋の交流学校公演の打合せで上越市内の学校をまわりました。
近くまで来たので、「かみえちご山里ファン倶楽部」の皆さんが作業をしている「上越市くわどり市民の森」に伺ってみました。

身体の奥まで染まってしまいそうな一面の緑!
広場では不思議な木のオブジェがお出迎えしてくれました。

…残念ながら滞在時間30分…秋はメンバーも連れてゆっくり行こうっと!

-----

I have been visiting schools around Joetsu City to organize the Autumn School Exhchange Concert Tour.
Since I was in the neighborhood, I dropped by the Joetsu City Kuwadori Citizen's Forest where the Kamiechigo Mountain Fan Club are working.
The greenery was so overwhelming!
In the clearing, an amazing timber masterpiece was waiting to greet me.

... It was a shame I only had 30 minutes to spare there...so I'm planning to bring the fall tour members back with me to make a relaxing day of it!

阿部一成 2007年5月22日 Kazunari Abe May 22, 2007

夏☆みたいな陽射し!

半裸で締め太鼓と格闘する若者たち。
ロビーで和む演出家。
勝手に"黒潮ちゃん"と名付けてお揃いのポーズを決める栄一さん。
うどん屋には奥ゆかしい貼り紙。
なぜか謝ってる路面電車（笑）。

-----

The sun blazing like a summer's day!

The young guys are half-naked and tackling (tightening) the shime-daiko drums.
The artistic director rests calmly in the lobby.
Eiichi has named this character "Kuroshio-chan" and is striking the same pose.
A humble poster in an udon shop. "We have started trying to make curry udon."
A tram that has something to apologize about. (Destination reads: Gomen, which also means "Sorry" in Japanese).

見留知弘 2007年5月21日 Tomohiro Mitome May 21, 2007

高知県の土佐清水市から、高知市への移動途中、須崎市の道の駅で、「わら焼き鰹たたき」の体験を、充長くんがやりました!

わらの火力って、そうとう凄かったみたいで、半袖の手が、真っ赤になっていました。

ほのかにわらの香りがついた鰹のたたき、美味しかったです!!

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In Kochi Prefecture, on the way from Tosa Shimizu City to Kochi City, we stopped by the rest area shops and Mitsunaga tried "Straw-wrapped medium-rare Bonito cooking"

The heat from the straw wa really strong, and his forearms turned bright red.
With the faint fragance of straw on the bonito, it was a real taste treat!!

阿部一成 2007年5月21日 Kazunari Abe May 21, 2007

乾くのを待つ男たち。

ひとり、ふたり…、よったり…。
ちょっとバンドの宣材写真みたいぢゃないですか?

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Guys waiting around for their stuff to dry.

One guy, two guys, more guys...

Kinda looks like promo photos for some band, huh?

松浦充長 2007年5月21日 Mitsunaga Matsuura May 21, 2007

「地元の方…？」

ホテル前は港。
地元の漁師さんに話しかける健太。

ジ〜 (・_｜

でもよく見ると地元の方ではなく、うちの舞台監督・土橋くんでした。

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"Are you from around here...?"

At the port in front of our hotel.
Kenta striking up a conversation with a local fisherman.

Or is it...

I looked a little bit closer, I saw it wasn't a local, but our very own stage manager, Dobashi.

藤本容子 2007年5月19日 Yoko Fujimoto May 19, 2007

ヤッホー、ようこです。
ニューヨーク自然歴史博物館での「トライアングル・プロジェクト」の公演は無事に終了しました。
私たちのあとに、昨年鼓童を離れてニューヨークで活動を展開している渡辺薫の単発ユニット「KAWADA（和太鼓，笛、モンゴルのど唄）」の演奏がありました。
とても刺激的で、即興性の強い内容でした。
ジェネレーションの違いも、女性と男性の違いも、お互いの演奏の特徴として、面白く現れていたように思います。

薫がんばってますよー。
もちろん，私たちも！
左から ZOSAR, PJ平林，ノブコ・ミヤモト、ようこ、薫（もう一人のメンバーのショウジを呼んでいるところ）

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Hi! It's me, Yoko.
Our "Triangle Project" Concert at the New York Museum of Natural History was a success. After our performance, former Kodo member Kaoru Watanabe, who left us last year to pursue his music career in
New York, took the stage with his group, KAWADA (taiko, flute, and Mongolian song.)
It was a really powerful, inspiring, improvisational performance.I think it was great to see the differences in our generations and genders accent both of our group's performances in interesting ways.

Kaoru is giving it his all!
Of course, so am I!
From left to right: ZOSAR, PJ Hirabayashi, Nobuko Miyamoto, Yoko, Kaoru (who is calling the other member, Shoji.)

谷口大介 2007年5月19日 Daisuke Taniguchi May 19, 2007

土佐清水への移動中です。
よい天気です。

-----

This is us on our way to Tosa Shimizu (Kochi Prefecture.)
The weather's great!

山口康子 2007年5月18日 Yasuko Yamaguchi May 18, 2007

佐渡の北端にほど近い、外海府の北鵜島に「車田植え」を見学に行きました。

車田植えは、全国でも佐渡（北鵜島）と岐阜の高山にしか残っていない農耕儀礼だそうです。
「狂言と鼓童のコラボレーション」の中で、この車田植えをとりあげさせていただく予定です。
コラボレーションの舞台に出るメンバーはあいにく全員ツアー中で、大変残念だったのですが、研修生と在島のメンバー数名で伺いました。

田植え唄を歌う年配の女性と当主の北村さんがあぜから田植えを見守る中、三人の早乙女さんたちが、田んぼの中央から輪を描くように苗を植えていきます。
田植えを経験してる研修生たちは、早乙女さんたちの手つきと植えられた苗のラインの美しさに感心することしきりでした。

車田植えについては、詳しくは月刊「鼓童」でもとりあげる予定です。お楽しみにどうぞ。

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I went up to close to the northern tip of Sado Island to an area called Kitaushima in Sotokaifu to watch the Kuruma-taue (taue = rice planting)

Kuruma-taue is an agricultural tradition that only remains in two places in Japan, in Sado Island, and in Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.
We plan to incorporate this Kuruma-taue in our upcoming "Kyogen & Kodo Collaboration".
It was such a shame that all the Kodo members who will appear on stage in the collaboration are away on tour and could not attend, but I went along with the Kodo apprentices and some of the members who are on Sado at the moment.
The elderly women singing the "Taue-uta (song)" and the head of the family Mr Kitamura watched over the planting from the retaining ridge, and young female rice planters planted the seedlings as if drawing a circle in the centre of the paddy.
The apprentices who have planted rice before were impressed by the planters' hand movements and the beauty of the line their trail of seedlings created.

We plan to write about Kuruma-taue in the upcoming Kodo monthly newsletter (Japanese version sent to Friends of Kodo members). We hope you will find it a good read!

藤本容子 2007年5月18日 Yoko Fujimoto May 18, 2007

公演を終えたある日の、ホット一息のひとコマ。
マックスが骨をくわえている気分が、ほんのすこしわかったような…。
私のくわえているのは、アフリカの歯ブラシ（ミーズワックスという木の枝）。

-----

Here's a little scene of me taking a breather after a performance one day.
I guess I only kind of understand how Max feels with his bone in his mouth...
I have an African toothbrush in my mine. (It's the branch of a Miswak tree.)

新井武志 2007年5月17日 Takeshi Arai May 17, 2007

今回の助手、雅幸君。

初のトラック助手で初の4トン運転。いきなりエンストしたけど大丈夫かなぁ…。

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For this tour, my co-driver is Masayuki.

It's his first time being a co-driver, and first time driving a 4-tonne truck. He stalled it right off the bat, but he'll do fine...right?

阿部一成 2007年5月17日 Kazunari Abe May 17, 2007

「カレー部長☆旅日記 〜 5月17日」

陽射しが日に日に夏めいてきた今日この頃。
みなさん、元気にカレーを召し上がっていますか?
春ツアーがスタートして10日、各地で舌がいい思いしてます☆

5月8日 昼☆ハンバーグカレー＠小木
5月9日 夜☆オクラ豆腐カレーほうれん草トッピング＠上越
5月10日 昼☆もち豚カツカレー＠黒埼
5月15日 昼☆バルマサラカレーほうれん草メンチカツ入り＠新潟古町
5月17日 昼☆近江牛コロッケカレー＠大津、夜☆サグマトン＆チキンマサラ＠松山

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Curry Club President's Log - May 17

The sunshine seems to be getting stronger each day as summer approaches. I hope this entry finds all our dear readers healthy and eating lots of curry.
We are on Day 10 of our Spring Tour, and my tastebuds are finding spicy delights around every corner on our journey.

May 8: Lunch - Hamburger-steak Curry in Ogi
May 9: Dinner - Okra Tofu Curry with Spinach Topping in Joetsu
May 10: Lunch - Mochi Pork Cutlet Curry in Kurosaki
May 15: Lunch - Bal-Masala Curry with Spinach Mince Cutlets in Niigata Furumachi
May 17: Lunch - Ohmi Beef Croquette Curry in Ohtsu, Dinner - Sag Mutton and Chicken Masala in Matsuyama

松浦充長 2007年5月17日 Mitsunaga Matsuura May 17, 2007

「四国上陸！」

写真は淡路島でのランチタイム。
金沢から長時間移動で、いよいよ四国上陸です。

何から手始めに食べますかね。
(￣—＋￣)ニヤリ

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"Shikoku at last!"

This picture was taken during our lunch break on Awaji Island.
After a long drive from Kanazawa, the shores of Shikoku are almost in sight.

What to eat first, I wonder...?
(￣—＋￣) <-- grin of anticipation

洲崎拓郎 2007年5月16日 Takuro Susaki May 16, 2007

本日は新潟市内の朱鷺メッセにて、全日本広告連盟新潟大会のアトラクション公演（クローズ公演）。待ち時間には良い天気の外に出て、思い思いに過ごしております。
が、ちょっと一般の方の目には奇異に映るかも知れません。
みんな、立ち居振る舞いには注意しよう!

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Today we performed at the Japan Advertising Federation's Niigata Conference. (A private performance.) While we were waiting for our appearance, we had some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather outside... but how we spend our down time may look a little strange to passers-by.
Perhaps we need to mind how we behave in public!

後藤美奈子 2007年5月15日 Minako Goto May 15, 2007

学校で公演をすると、卒業アルバムに掲載していただくこともあります。

公演を中学校の思い出にひとつにしてもらえるのは、本当にありがたいことです。

［上］
「いつもどおり、かっこよくお願いします」と写真屋さんに言われています。いつもどおり、かっこよく……。

［下］
生徒さんたちと記念撮影（まだ準備中）

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Some times when we perform at a school, they are kind enough to capture the event to put in their graduation yearbook.

We are so grateful to think they'll treasure the encounter as one of their memories of junior high school.

(Top)
The photographer is telling us "Please look fabulous, like you always do!"
Right...like always...fabulous...?!?

(Bottom)
A picture for the yearbook with the students. (We're still getting into position)

藤本容子 2007年5月14日 Yoko Fujimoto May 14, 2007

はーい、ようこです。
さて、私の立っているこの場所は、どこでしょうか？

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Hi! It's me, Yoko.
Here's a quiz for you, where do you think I am now?

答えは、知る人ぞ知る「ビーコン・シアター」であります！
ニューヨークのブロードウェイを歩いていて，ふと横をみたら、佐渡の国鬼太鼓座がニューヨークデヴューを果たした，懐かしの劇場がそこにありました。
きっと、無言で私を呼んでくれたのでしょう。
いきなりの出現にびっくり、感動。
そして、30年の月日が一気に逆流してゆきました。
本当に大変な時期だったけれど、懐かしくて愛しくてたまらなくなりました。

「トライアングル・プロジェクト」ニューヨーク公演に向けての、ある日の一コマでした。
鼓童のみんなは、それぞれ旅の空。
私も，アメリカの旅の実りを佐渡へと持ち帰ってまいりまーす。

-----

The answer, as some of you will well know, is the Beacon Theater!
I was walking along Broadway in New York, and I happened to glance sideways and there I saw that familiar old theater where Sado no Kuni Ondekoza made its New York debut!
I'm sure it was calling out to me telepathically.
Seeing it so suddenly was surprising and emotional!
And it took me back through time to 30 years ago.
Those times were really tough, but the feelings of nostalgia and endearment were so overwhelming.

This is just a little snippet from my days leading up to the Triangle Project concert in New York.
The Kodo members, all away from home.
And so am I.
I will bring the best parts of my trip to America back home to Sado with me.

洲崎拓郎 2007年5月13日 Takuro Susaki May 13, 2007

ツアーに合流して舞台写真を撮影してくれているカメラマンの田中文太郎さんから、以下の「ネタ」を頂きました。

-----

I received this "material" from our stage photographer on tour with
Kodo at the moment, Buntaro Tanaka.

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魚沼市小出郷公演にて

開場時間を回り、お客様の入場が始まった場内。
スタッフ楽屋でモニターを見ていた舞台監督の土橋さんが大変なことに気づく。

「あ!　舞台前のLED（演奏者向けに置いておく、小さな目印用のライト）仕込み忘れた!!」

どーするどーする？　しばし思案して、土橋さん、正文さんと照明さんの3人で設置しに行くことに。

スタッフ楽屋で見守る僕たちに、
「無事設置完了したらカメラに向かってピースするから、俺達の“生き様”を見てて!」

とのことでしたので、カメラマンのワタクシは自分の責務をきっちり果たし、記録をしっかと残しました。
写真じゃわかりづらいですが…。

お客様はさぞ不審に思ったことでしょう。

-----

At the Koidego Concert in Uonuma City.

Time for the doors to open rolled around, and the audience started to enter the venue.
Backstage in the staff room, our stage manager Mr. Dobashi notices something terrible on the monitor.

"No! We forgot to set up the stage front LEDs!!" (small signal lights that face the performers)

After a brief "What do we do? What do we do?" brainstorm, they decide Dobashi, Masafumi, and the lighting engineer will just have to go out there and set the lights up.

They tell us, the onlookers left in the staffroom, "When we get the job done, we'll do a peace sign at the camera, so watch us pose on the monitor!"

So, the photographer and I took our orders seriously and made sure we got them on film.
It's tough to make out in these pictures...
but I bet the audience thought it was pretty suspect.

---

…。
正やん、土橋くん。やめなはれ。

-----

Masayan, Dobashi-kun. Cut it out, please!

後藤美奈子 2007年5月13日 Minako Goto May 13, 2007

交流学校公演班も、ワン・アース・ツアー班と同じ日に出発しました。
今回は、幹文の演出構成で一樹、勝、正美、研三、盛悟に準メンバーの晶と博子、祐子（スタッフ）が参加しています。
6月末まで64公演、たくさんの小中学生に鼓童の音を届けてまいります。

-----

The School Exchange Concert Tour and The One Earth Tour set out from Sado on the same day.
On the School Exchange Tour this time, we have Motofumi in charge of artistic direction, members Kazuki, Masaru, Masami, Kenzo and Shogo, joined by new junior members Akira, Hiroko, and Yuko (staff).
Until the end of June we have 64 concerts scheduled, and we look forward to bringing the sound of Kodo to all the elementary and junior high school students we visit.

新井武志 2007年5月10日 Takeshi Arai May 10, 2007

〜入院中〜

おいらのトラック、心臓と足腰はとても丈夫なんだけど神経系（電気系統）が弱くって。
毎回どこかの整備工場に立ち寄ってます。今回も発電機のトラブルでバッテリーがあがってしまいました。一度長期入院して徹底的に治療したほうがいいですよって言われてしまいました。
メンバーと同じくらいあちこち飛び回ってますからねぇ。トラック君も…。

-----

- In hospital -

Our truck, his heart and legs are sturdy, but his nervous system (electrical system) is weak.
Every tour we have to stop in to repair shops for him. This time, too, due to trouble with his power generator, his battery died. They told us to" leave him for a long stay in the 'hospital' so he can be completely treated." I guess it's to be expected when he travels all over the place like our members do. Even Mr Truck...

船橋裕一郎 2007年5月9日 Yuichiro Funabashi May 09, 2007

ツアーもカレー部も始動!
（写真は阿部カレー部長）

-----

The tour and the Curry Club have both gotten off to a good start.
(This picture is of the Curry Club Leader, Mr Abe.)

新井武志と船橋裕一郎 2007年5月9日 Takeshi Arai and Yuichiro Funabashi May 09, 2007

ふたりそろって、おたんじょおびです。きょうから、つあーが、はじまります。よろしくおねがいします。

たけし・ゆういちろう

-----

Today it's our birthday. Our tour begins today, too. We hope to see
you on our travels!

Takeshi & Yuichiro

見留知弘 2007年5月7日 Tomohiro Mitome May 07, 2007

いよいよ鼓童の日本ツアーが明後日から始まります。
出発を控えた鼓童村から、春の便りをお届けしますよー!!

鼓童の中庭には、坂東玉三郎さんから頂いた、牡丹の花が咲き始めました。花がとても大きくて、大人の手の大きさくらいあります。

和泉邸に咲いているのは、八重桜とカリンの木です。
ちょうど畑を担当しているキヨ子さんが来て、綺麗な花が咲いていると連れて行って見せてくれたのは、クマガイソウでした。
どうも絶滅品種? らしいです。鼓童の里山に咲いている貴重なものを写真に収めることが出来たので、とてもラッキーでした。

新緑のように、生き生きと力強い演奏をしたいと思います。
2007年 新演出の鼓童公演、お楽しみにー!!

-----

The long-awaited Kodo Domestic Tour is about to set off; we will be on the road the day after tomorrow. Before we leave Kodo Village, here is some spring news!

In the garden here at Kodo Village, the tree peonies we received from Tamasaburo Bando have started blooming.The flowers are about as big as an adult's hand!
At the Izumi House at the village, the double-flowered cherry trees and Burmese rosewoods are in bloom. When I was up there, Kiyoko, who is looking after the vegetable patch, came up and took me to see some other beautiful flowers, Cypripedium japonicum, or Japanese 'slipper orchids'. Apparently they are an extinct (?!) species. I was really lucky to get a picture of such a rare beauty blooming in the woodlands of Kodo Village.

I hope to perform with the same power and vitality as fresh spring greenery!
We are coming, the 2007 tour, with all new artistic direction! See you soon!

齊藤栄一 2007年5月7日 Eiichi Saito May 07, 2007

と、云う訳でアタシも44歳。
そろそろ大人の仲間入り。
今年も良い年にする為に頑張ります。

-----

May 7. That makes me 44 today. I guess I'm going to be one of the "adults" sometime soon.
I'll do my best to make this year a good one, too.

中村夕海 2007年3月6日 Yumi Nakamura Mar 6 2007

鼓童村の事務所をリフォーム中です。
工事前に、物ひとつ残さないようにみんなで大掃除をしました。

座敷と物置きのようだった小座敷がこんなに綺麗になりました。

今日から工事も始まりましたが、ホコリや壁を打ち破る音、機械がウィーンウィーン鳴り響く中での仕事は大変です（；；）

左上は工事中…小座敷と座敷が繋がっています。
右下の写真は、素敵なお掃除姿の美奈子さん。

-----

The office of Kodo Village is being reformed now. Before the construction started, we had cleaned not to leave anything there.

"Zashiki"(a Japanese style room) and "Ko-zashiki"(a small Japanese style room), which was like a barn, became so beautiful.

The construction started today, and the sound of breaking the walls & machine and a lot of dusts make us work seriously hard. (; ;)

Up left : mid. of construction.
Lower right : lovely cleaning-style, Minako

translated by Sayo

山口康子 2007年3月2日 Yasuko Yamaguchi Mar 2 2007

集中稽古最終日。

短い間でしたが、小笠原先生や笑撃武芸団の皆さんとは、毎晩の「反省会」ですっかり打ち解けた様子。

鼓童のメンバーにとっては、これほどまでに「太鼓をたたかない」稽古というのは、初めての経験だったかもしれません。
踊って歌って、語って、そしてちょっと叩く、という感じ。

舞台でセリフを言うなどという経験はありませんから、とにかくしっかりした声を出せるようにすることが課題です。

ここまで読んで下さったアナタ…、どんな舞台になるのか、ものすごく見たくなっていませんか？

-----

Final day of the concentrated practice period.

It was a short time, but Kodo members look like to have got completely relaxed to be with Mr. Ogasawara and members of "Sho-geki-bugei-dan"(Laughing Theater Arts Group), while their every nights' meeting (should be said "party"!?).

It might be a first experience for Kodo members, who have joined this practice, hardly to play taiko, but dancing, singing, story telling and a little bit beating taiko.

For us, it is an important task to make a steady voice since we have no experience to read a line on a stage.

Those of you who read till now..., do you feel to want to see how this stage is going to be?

translated by Sayo

おかげさまで鼓童公演3,000回達成 Thank you! Kodo has achieved 3,000 performances!

ただいま、ツアーメンバーはアメリカ南部を快調に旅していますが、この度、現地時間の3月1日ミシシッピ州クリーブランド公演で通算、鼓童公演3,000回を達成しました。

デビュー以来、日本各地、世界各地で劇場へ足を運んでくださったファンの皆様、鼓童を呼んでくださった主催者ならびに様々な分野でご支援くださった皆様、これまで鼓童を応援してくださり本当にありがとうございます。
また、鼓童の舞台は、これまでたくさんの演奏者の身体を通して受け継がれてきました。同じ舞台を共にしたかつてのメンバーの皆様にも感謝します。

そして、今も旅を続けているみんなへ。鼓童にとって大きな節目を越えました。おめでとう！これからも、新しい出会いや懐かしい方たちとの再会を楽しみに、世界の隅々まで太鼓を響かせ続けていきましょう！

洲崎純子

（鼓童村の中庭にて。佐渡で留守を預かるメンバーたち）

-----

Now, tour members are smoothly traveling around southern part of the States, and on March 1 in local time, Kodo has achieved 3,000 performances in Cleveland, Mississippi.

We appreciated our audiences coming to the theater all over Japan and world, sponsors inviting us and all of you assisting us in a variety of field, since our debut. We also thank to former members, who succeede our performances up to now through your bodies.

And, to everyone traveling now! Kodo stands on a big turning point. Congratulations! Please enjoy meeting a lot of new people and long-time companions, and let's keep the sound of taiko all over the world.

Junko Susaki

(In the courtyard of Kodo village. Members taking care of the village while tour members out.)

translated by Sayo

山口康子 2007年2月28日 Yasuko Yamaguchi Feb 28 2007

「笑撃武芸団」の皆さんが稽古に合流しました。

小笠原先生のお弟子さん（＝狂言方）として、このコラボレーションの舞台にご出演くださいます。
歓迎の気持ちをこめて屋台囃子をお聴かせしたところ、その御礼に立ち回りを演じてくださいました。

うむむ、おぬしなかなかやるな…。

-----

Members of "Sho-geki-bugei-dan"(Laughing Theater Arts Group) joined the practice.

They will perform with us at the collaboration stage as Mr. Ogasawara's apprentice (= "Kyogen-kata," trick performer). Showing our welcome to them, we played "Yatai-bayashi," and in return for that, they performed a fighting scene.

Umm, you guys do a pretty good job....

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月28日 Kazunari Abe Feb 28 2007

アーカンソー州フェイエットビルより、ミシシッピ州クリーブランドへ。

6時間半のバス移動の車窓から。
なにやら不穏な、太陽。

-----

From Fayetteville, Arkansas to Cleveland, Mississippi.

During six and half hour bus riding, I saw the sun,
threatening sun from the bus window.

translated by Sayo

山口康子 2007年2月27日 Yasuko Yamaguchi Feb 27 2007

今年の秋に公演を予定している「狂言と鼓童のコラボレーション企画」の第一回集中稽古が始まりました。

演出家は、和泉流狂言師の小笠原匡さん。研修所の講師もしていただいているので、私達は小笠原先生とお呼びしています。
稽古初日は朝から夕方までオーディション。
個々のキャラクターを知るために、一人ひとりに1時間近くかけて、先生と向かい合って話したり、踊ったり、唄を歌ったりしました。

今回の公演は、佐渡の方言や芸能をたくさんとりいれた音楽劇のようなものにしたいと考えています。
これまでに鼓童が習い覚えているものだけでなく、もっと様々な芸能とこの機会に出会いたいということで、この日は「草の会」の飯山さんと中川さんにおいでいただき、相川の「春駒」や「やわらぎ」、「厄払い唄」などの芸能を見せていただきました。
お二人は翌日も来てくださって、二晩にわたって稽古をつけていただきました。

-----

The first practice of "Kyogen and Kodo Collaboration Project, " scheduled in the fall of this year started.

The artistic director is Tadashi Ogasawara, Izumi style Kyogen(*) master. Hej is also an instructor of apprentice center, so we call him "Ogasawara-sensei."(Ogasawara teacher.) Audition was held from morning to the evening on the first day. To know an individual character of each player, we talked, danced and sung a song one by one, taking almost one hour per each.

We are planing to this performance, more likely musical, taking a lot of Sado dialects and performances. Not only what we learned, but also want to find more Sado performances, we invited Mr. Iiyama and Mr. Nakagawa in "Kusa-no-Kai," and they showed some Aikawa performance styles; "Harigoma," "Yawaragi" and "Yakuharai-uta" They came to the next day, too, and taught us for two evenings.

*Kyogen is one form of traditional Japanese theater. It developed alongside Noh. It was performed along with noh as an intermission of sorts between Noh acts, and retains close links to noh in the modern day. Its content is not at all similar to the formal, symbolic, and solemn Noh theater; Kyogen is a comical form, and its primary goal is to make its audience laugh.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月27日 Kazunari Abe Feb 27 2007

フェイエットビルでの公演。
前日、ホテルからは夕焼け色に染まった町並みがビューティフルでした。

公演の日、武志・一成で締め太鼓をチューニングしていた時のこと。

　あっ！

締太鼓のロープが切れちゃいました。

　しょうがねー、交換するか

新しいロープに取り替えます。
しばらくして

　えっ?!

また締太鼓のロープが切れちゃいました。

　チューニングに2時間もかかる楽器って…

悪態をつきながらも再びロープを交換し今度は切れることもなく、無事に締太鼓は締め上げられました。
終演後、

　2回ロープ交換したんだから2杯飲んで帰ろーな

写真は合流した、トラックドライバー・ドニーと。
美しく斜めに並んだビールグラスが　はたして何杯目のものなのかは、
…内緒です。

-----

Performance in Fayetteville

One day before that, from the hotel window, I saw the town dyed to the evening glow color. It was so beautiful.

On a performance day, when Takeshi and I were tuning a Shime-daiko,

"Oh!"

"The rope of shime-daiko was cut."

"Gee, let's change."

"I will change to a new rope."

After a while,

"What?!"

"The rope of shime-daiko was cut again."

It took two hours for the tuning.....what a troublesome musical instrument...

Using abusive language, we changed the rope again, and this time it was not cut anymore. God for sake, shime-daiko was tuned safely.

After the concert,

"Let's drink two glasses of beer because the ropes were exchanged twice."

This photo was taken with track driver Donnie, who joined us to drink. How many glasses of beer that queues up beautifully and diagonally we had drunk.... it is secret.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月26日 Kazunari Abe Feb 26 2007

バス移動。
テキサス州ダラスより、アーカンソー州フェイエットビルへ。
途中、パーキングエリアで休憩。

長いトラックたちが列をつくるその上に、かすかに月。
広場では座りっぱなしで固まった腰を動かすべく、蹴鞠大会。

月と鞠と、どっちも見つけにくい…かも。

-----

From Dallas, Texas to Fayettevill, Arkansas by bus. We took a rest in the
parking area on the way.

On the line of long tracks, there was a moon in faintness.
To excercise our waist that hardened because of long-hours sitting, we started a ball game on the grass.

We could not easily distinguish both moon and ball...

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年2月25日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 25 2007

〜ダラスの夜〜

ダラスの三連続公演も無事終わり、終演後にはダラスの木遣り太鼓さんやダラス日本人会の方々と、「Mr.Sushi」湊さんのお店にて食事会となりました。
お寿司や日本食を食べたメンバーは大満足! 最後に木遣りを唄い、ダラスの最後の夜を締めくくりました。

さてその後、木遣り太鼓のメンバーの方のお家へ訪問。
旦那様がカントリーミュージックのスチールギター奏者ということでメンバーは興味津々。
アメリカではカントリーミュージックにはスチールギターというぐらい、この楽器はかかせないらしいのです。
ハワイアンのイメージしかなかったので、初めて見る楽器や音に感動 (T-T) しました。

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- Night in Dallas -

3 days performances of Dallas ended, and after the show, we had dinner at restaurant "Mr. Sushi" with members of Kiyari-daiko and the Japanese assosication of Dallas. We are all satisfied with Japanese cuisine! We ended up the night of Dallas, singing "Kiyari."

We visited to the house of one members of Kiyari-daiko afterwards. Her husband is a steel guitar player of country music, so we were interested in him very much. I heard that steel guitar is important to the country music in the States. Beacause I had only Hawaiian image for this instrument, I was very impressed by its overview and sound for the first time.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月25日 Kazunari Abe Feb 25 2007

舞台奥にぽっかり穴が。
そこは搬入口。
そして2階。

ダラス3日連続公演を終え、搬出中。
マチネ公演の搬出は、明るいんです。

西日を浴びながら。

-----

There was a hole to the stage back.
It was a back-stage entrace.
And, it was on the second floor.

3-days concerts in Dallas were finished, and we were carrying out all the drums and props.
After the matinee performance, it was still bright.

While we were bathing in the setting sun.

translated by Sayo

藤本容子 2007年2月24日 Yoko Fujimoto Feb 24 2007

八丈太鼓の第一人者・菊池隆さんは「佐渡の国鬼太鼓座」の最終時期のメンバーで、その息子の卓君は19期の鼓童の研修生でした。

2月24日の、隆さんの太鼓歴40周年記念公演への出演と合わせて、その翌日、鬼太鼓座ゆかりの4名が、記念すべき「第30回八丈島駅伝」に参加（話の始まりは駅伝のほうでした）。
チーム名もその意気込みをいかんなく表す「50代 やったろーず」
公演も盛り上がりましたが、この駅伝も50代パワー炸裂の一幕でした。

参加者は、鼓童から吉利とキヨ子、そして長崎鬼太鼓座出身の今福優さん。呼びかけ人の菊池さんと、急遽かりだされた卓くんの５名です。

参加30チーム中20位を目標に走ったものが、終わってみれば15位！
「ゆっくり楽しんで走ればいい」なんて言っていても、走り出したらやっぱり一所懸命になってしまうわけで、故障も事故も無く予想を上回る結果に、万々歳でした。

写真は、菊池さんから吉利へのたすき渡しの瞬間。
菊池さんの姿は入らず、赤いたすきのはしっこがかろうじて映っているという微妙なシャッターチャンスをお楽しみください。（菊池さん、ごめんなさい）

その日の夜は夜で、夕方に八丈入りした林英哲さん一行と、また大いに盛り上がったのでした。

こちらの写真は左から、吉利、菊池隆さん、キヨ子、今福優さん、菊池卓さん。
ちなみに、Tシャツは阿部美千代さんと土岐小百合さんの協力によるものです。
感謝!

-----

The famous Hachijo-taiko player, Takashi Kikuchi, was a last member of "Sado-no-Ondeko-za" (a former team of Kodo), and his son, Suguru, was the 19th Kodo apprentice.

On Februrary 24, we have performed in Takashi's 40th Anniverary Concert, and next day, 4 members who were in Ondeko-za participated in "The 30th Hachijo Island Long Distance Relay Race." (But it started with the long distance relay race, not the concert.)

The team name for the race was "50-dai Yattaro-zu"(50th generations go! go!), expressing the energy of us. The live concert was good, of course, and the race was full-filled of 50th energy!

Members included Takashi Kikuchi, suggested to participate, and Suguru, in haste hunted out.

We aimed at 20th place out of 30 teams, but ended up 15th! Saying "let's enjoy and only have fun," but we couldn't just do that! Without any breakdown and accident, we cheered to the result more than what we expected.

The photo is taken when Mr. Kikuchi was handed "Tasuki"(a cloth, instead of a batton) to Yoshikazu. Please enjoy a slight chance at a perfect shot of red tasuki, without the appearance of Mr. Kikuchi. (Sorry, Mr. Kikuchi!)

At that night, we had a great time with Eitetsu Hayashi and his trainee, who came to Hachijo in that evening.

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年2月24日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 24 2007

海外のホテル。

ベットはめちゃデカイ！
自分は小さいのでいつも端っこに寝る。
ヘ(￣ ￣;ヘ)))。。。

外国の人が、日本のホテルベットが小さいと言う理由がわかる
(￣▽￣)ｂ

しかし、なんで枕が５個も必要なんだろう…
("_ _)σ‖

-----

Hotel in the State.

Bed is so huge!
I am small, so I sleep at the edge.

Now I understand people from abroad say "Japanese bed in a hotel is small!"

But I cannot understand why 5 pillows are necessary...

translated by Sayo

齊藤栄一 2007年2月23日 Eiichi Saito Feb 23 2007

写真は テキサス州ダラスのRadissonホテル 530号特別室で行われた「阿部一成・生誕33年記念祝賀会」の1シーンです。

会場は風船や花などで彩り豊かに飾られ、テーブルには何処でどうしたものか手作り!?のカレーや餃子やサラダが所狭しと並べられ、パーティーを盛り上げていました。

因みにバスタブには大量の氷が運び込まれ、これまた大量のビール・シャンパン・ソフトドリンクetc...
とても楽しい生誕記念パーティーでした。

改めまして、一成君、33歳おめでとう！
良い一年であります様に。

-----

This picture was taken at Room 530, a special room, Radisson Hotel, in Dallas. Kazunari's birthday party was held there.

The hall was decorated richly with the balloons and the flowers, etc. and handmade curry & rice, pot stickers and saladas were served.

In a bathtub, a bunch of ices were brought and a lot of beer, champagne, soft drinks, etc... , it was a very happy birthday party!

Kazunari, congratulations on your 33 years old anniversary!
Wish you have a great year!

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月21日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 21 2007

〜ダラスへの移動日〜

今日のバス移動は4時間という事で、途中に休憩がありました。

その休憩中の一コマ。
栄一さんと英明（ツアーマネージャー）さんの会話は…

「この集団は、知らない人から見たらどんな感じに見えるんだろうか?」

早速シャッターをきってみました。
さて、皆さんにはどのように見えますでしょうか??

-----

- Austin to Dallas -

Today, we had 4 hours bus-ride, and had the rest on the way.

This is the one scene during the break time, and a little conversations between Eiichi and Hideaki, our tour manager...

"Who do people, don't know us, think we are?"

Then, I took a photo immediately. Well, how do you think?

translated by Sayo

石塚充 2007年2月20日 Mitsuru Ishizuka Feb 20 2007

海外ではちょこちょこ見かけるんですが、楽屋エリアの廊下の壁一面に所狭しといろ〜んなアーティストのサインが書きなぐられています。

ここテキサスはオースティンの劇場で、私たちも書かせていただきました。
「KODO」のロゴを私が担当。実はこういうの大好きなんです!! ちっちゃい頃は漫画家になりたかったくらい。
楽しくてお昼ごはん食べ損ねるところでした…。

そこにみんながサインして、完成!!!です。

こういうの、もっとやりたいな〜。

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We often see the artists' signature on the wall of the backstage passage. Here, in Paramount Theatre, we got a chance to do so.

I took charge of the logo of "KODO." In fact, I love this kind of thing as I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was small. It was so fun that I almost missed having lunch...

Everyone signed on it, and finally, it was finished!

I want to do it more!

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年2月20日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 20 2007

〜みつるのひと時〜

劇場の方から「壁にサインを！」と頼まれ鼓童のロゴを書くみつるくん。
途中のちゃちゃも気にせず黙々と書く…。

完成品にはみんなのサインが入りました。

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- Mitsuru's time -

Mitsuru was writing a logo of Kodo by the request of theater staffs, "Please sign on the wall!" He didn't care any disturbment, just concentrated on his writing....

All Kodo members wrote signs to finish Mitsuru's complete art project!

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月20日 Kazunari Abe Feb 20 2007

締め上げ俯瞰図。
テキサス州オースティンの劇場ロビーにて。

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"Shime-age" (Tighten rope of taiko) overview.
In the theater lobby in Austin, Texas.

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年2月19日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 19 2007

〜バス移動〜

バス移動ですること。

仮眠
読書
音楽を聴く
ビデオを観る
メールを書く
仕事する…

日本から持ってきた雑誌、隅から隅まで読んでしまった。
でも捨てられない (T-T)
活字に飢えてくる時のためにとっておく。

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- Our Bus Tour -

Things we do in bus.

Catnap
Reading
Listening to music
Watching videoes
E-mail
Work.....

I have read all of magazines brought from Japan, inside and out. But, I cannot throw them away. (T-T)
For the moment I starve for the Japanese typing, I keep them with me.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月18日 Kazunari Abe Feb 18 2007

ヒューストン。
に、います。

だからというわけではないですが、高いホテルでした。
値段もでしょうけど、地表からの距離のことです。

その部屋の窓より。

あさひ。　と　ゆうひ。　

同じ方向に両方見えるなんて（笑）。

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We are in Houston.
Not only because of that, it is high.
I mean the height of building, ...and probably its room charge.

I am taking this picture from the window of that room.
Sunrise and sunset.
It is funny to see them in the same direction!

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月15日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 15 2007

テキサス、カレッジステーションでのお休み。

このツアーで照明をしてくださっているマーティンさんのお誘いで、サンアントニオまで、片道3時間かけて、レンタカーで観光に行ってきました。

サンアントニオは、アラモの砦があるところです。
リバーウォークと言う川沿いにたくさんのお店が並び、観光用ボートがあるので、皆で乗ってきました。

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Day-off in College Station, Texas.

As Martin, this tour's technical director, invited us, we went sightseeing by rent-a-car, spending 3 hours in one way to San Antonio.

There is the fort of Alamo in San Antonio. We took a tourist boat by the river, and saw a lot of shops stand in a row, called River Walk.

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月14日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 14 2007

ヒューストンへの移動日。

今日はバレンタインデーです。ツアーメンバーの好江さん、菜月さんから移動のバスの中で、チョコレートを頂きました。

お心遣い有難う!!

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A traveling day to Houston.

It is Valentine's Day today. We received the chocolates from Yoshie and Natsuki on the bus.

Thank you for your warm heart!!

translated by Sayo

秋元淳 2007年2月13日 Jun Akimoto Feb 13 2007

2005年にオープンしたばかりの新しい劇場です。完売!!

こけら落しでSan Jose Taikoさんも公演したのだそうです。大ホールにあたるIkeda Theaterは、NYの僧太鼓の元メンバーであるSandy Ikedaさんのご両親の寄付で建てられたホールなのだそうです。
Mesaが地元であるSandyさんもこの日、NYから駆けつけてくださって、ご家族と一緒に公演を見てくださいました。
お寿司の差し入れを頂いたり、公演後に車で送っていただいたり、お世話になりました。

それからデンバーからToni Yagamiさんもメンバー１人１人の名前入りの手作りクッキーを持って来てくださいました。
あともう1つ、ツアー班の大黒幕を入れる袋が破けてしまったため、太鼓やバチバッグ等の製作の仕事をされているToniさんに（北米の太鼓界ではすでにそのクオリティは証明済みで、どこに行ってもToniさんのケースを見かけます。オンラインでもオーダーメイドできるんです。）、急遽お願いして大黒ソフトケースを作って持って来ていただきました。これが非常におしゃれで丈夫で使いやすくピッタリ！

有り難く、大切に長く長く使わせていただきたいと思います。Davis, Berkeley, UCLA, そしてここMesaまで同行してくれて、本当にお世話になったクリッシーを囲んで、ホテルの隣のバーで終演後に乾杯をしました。

（写真：見留知弘）

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It is a new theater, just opend in 2005. Sold out!!

San Jose Taiko has also performed as a opening of this new theater. Ikeda Hall, a big hall, was built with the contribution of parents of Sandy Ikeda, a former member of Soh Daiko. Sandy, who is originally from Mesa, came from NY, and saw a performance with her family. They were very nice of us, as bringing sushi and taking us to the hotel after the show. Thanks a lot!

Ms. Toni Yagami, from Denver, brought handmade cookies with the name of each member. She also made a soft case for our sudden order, because a bag which we put a big black curtains was torn. Tony makes drums and stick bags as her job. (The quality of her products are really good and popular among the North American Taiko Groups. You can also make custome-made by online.) her soft case is very fasionable, storong, easy to use and just on fit!

We would like to use it for long. After the show, we went to the bar next to the hotel and made a toast to Crissy, who has helped us all the way from Davis, Berkeley, UCLA and Mesa.

(photo by Tomohiro Mitome)

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月12日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 12 2007

アリゾナへの移動日。

今日は南部のアリゾナ州へ飛行機で移動してきました。
到着した空港（Phonex）には、プロ野球選手の城島選手（シアトルマリナーズ）がいたそうです。
ここはメジャーリーガーのキャンプ地でもありますね。

昨日までは、大都会のロサンジェルスに居ましたが、一気に砂漠地帯？の乾いた土地にやってきました。
アメリカって本当に大きな国です。

南部といえば、やはりサボテンですね。
比較するものが無くて分かりにくいのですが、人の太さほどある大きさで、高さは10メートルくらいあったかな？

写真の近代的な建物は、あす公演を行う劇場です。

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A traveling day to Arizona.

We came to Arizona by airplane today. Mr Jojima, a major league player (Seattle Mariners), was also at Phonex Airpot. This place is a major leaguer's camp ground.

We were in the city, Los Angeles, till yesterday, but now, in the middle of desert, a dry land. The United States is a really big country.

As for the southern part, it is, of course, a cactus. There was nothing to compare, so it is not easy to be understood, but this cactus's size was in the thickness of the person and about ten-meter height.

A modern building of the photograph is a theater that we will perform tomorrow.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月12日 Kazunari Abe Feb 12 2007

空が
たかくたかく　おしあげられて
気が遠くなりそうな。

太陽に目がくらんで　夢から醒めた。

やがて　傾いた太陽に　世界が染まる。

夕闇迫るなか
サボテンと３人の太鼓打ち。

Mesa, Arizona

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The sky,
Thus, a high push up,
And be not do not faint and along.

My eyes,
Did not turn over in the sun,
And woke up from of the dream.

The world,
Is dyed to the sun
that inclines before long.

Approaching twilight inside
Cactus and three Taiko drummers.

Mesa, Arizona

translated by Sayo

齊藤栄一 2007年2月11日 Eiichi Saito Feb 11 2007

写真が無くてごめん遊ばせ。
だって公演中の出来事なんですもん。
でも、是非皆さんに伝えたくって・・・

時と場所はUCLA大学の校内にあるロイスホールでの3日間連続公演の最終日。
チケットは売り切れ状態。日曜日と云う事もあり、小さな子供連れのお客様が多かった公演でした。

「三宅」が終了してライトが消えて、拍手喝采の中で打ち手が太鼓を持って袖に入って見えなくなったその時。
小さな女の子が「絶妙な間」で『バイバイ』って名残りを惜しむ様に云ったんです。

劇場内は大爆笑になりましたが、笑い声が途切れた後、会場内のお客さんが「思わず笑ってしまったけど、私も貴女と同じ気持ちだったよ」って空気が流れたのね。
その時、そこに居合わせた人の気持ちが本当に一つになった瞬間があったのよ。

んもぉね、舞台やってて最高の瞬間ベスト3って感じ。
彼女のピュアな心と、あの環境を作ってくれたロイスホールとお客さんと、本日の舞台に乾杯！

やっぱライヴは止められまへんな。

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Sorry that there is no photograph, because it was an event during our performance. But, I do want to tell you this story...

It happened in Lois Hall, at UCLA campus, on the final day of our three-days continuous performances. The tickets were sold out and it was sunday. We found a lof of small kids in the theater.

The light was down when "Miyake" finished, and we were out from the stage to sleeves in applause. And then, a small girl said "bye-bye," as if she is showing her farewell in exquisite time.

The hall was bursted with laughter, and even after that, I felt the air flowing "we felt same as you, though we laughed at you." There was a moment that the audience had united into one.

I feel this stage was one of my best 3. Cheers for the girl's pure mind, Lois hall & the audience, making such enviroment and today's stage!

That's why I can't stop doing the live performance!

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年2月11日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 11 2007

【左】Escondido星雲からやってきた正義の味方。
【右】「今年36才」と「二児の父親」。

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[left]
An ally of justice which came from Escondido nebula.
[right]
"36 years old of this year" and "Two children's daddy".

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月10日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 10 2007

UCLAにて。

【左】　
なつかしいTシャツです。
今回のアシスタントマネージャーで同行してくれています、サンノゼ太鼓のユミさんが着ていました。
大切に着てくれていらっしゃるのでしょうね。もう20年以上前のものでしょうか。

【右】
青空の下での締め上げ風景。
写真では分かりにくいでしょうが、アメリカに来ると空が広く感じます。日本では見られないような空の青さが、アメリカの西海岸に来たなって実感させてくれます。

冬の佐渡との対照的なこと…。
とてもすがすがしいです！

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At UCLA

[left]
It is our dear T-shirt. Yumi, from San Jose Taiko and an assistant manager in this tour, was wearing that. It looks like she has taken care of it well. I guess it was made almost 20 years ago.

[right]
"Shime-age," (tighting a rope of drum) under the blue sky. I feel the sky is wider when coming to the United States. (It is not to be understood easily in the photo graph though.) This blue sky, which I'm hardly able to see in Japan makes me feel that now I am in the west coast in the U.S.

Things are totally opposited to Sado winter. I feel so fresh!

translated by Sayo

秋元淳 2007年2月9日 Jun Akimoto Feb 9 2007

UCLA Royce Hall、こちらも4年ぶりの会場です。

初日の金曜日は座席数1,800のところ、1,715の入りでほぼ完売となりました。
この日は早朝にテレビの生放送に出演しました。ロサンゼルスKTLA局のサイトより、放送された内容の動画が下記から見られます。よろしかったらどうぞ。

（ここをクリック、開いたサイト内の「Gayle Anderson」というボタンをクリックして、動画表示欄の下から「2/9 KODO, Japan's Legendary Drum Ensemble (9AM)」をクリックしてください）

UCLAのディレクターのDavid Sefton氏（元はロンドンのロイヤルフェスティバルホールDirector）と、充君、私がインタビューを受けて、裕一郎、洋介、武志、雅幸、盛悟、健太が「三宅」を演奏しました。ちなみに今日から三日間の公演はほぼ満席です。

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At UCLA Royce Hall
We haven't performed here since 2004.

On Friday, a first day of 3-days concerts, tickets were sold 1,715 out of 1,800 ,so almost sold out. We appeared on TV early morning on this day. You can see the program from the following Los Angels KTLA site.

(Please click here. Then, click the button of "Gayle Anderson" in an open site, and click "2/9 KODO, Japan's Legendary Drum Emsemble (9AM)" from the animation display column.)

Mr. David Sefton, a director of UCLA (originally Loyal Festival Hall director in London), Mitsuru, this tour's artistic director, and I received the interview. Yuichiro, Yosuke, Takeshi, Masayuki, Shogo, and Kenta performed "Miyake." By the way, the performance of three days from today are almost sold out.

translated by Sayo

大井キヨ子 2007年2月9日 Kiyoko Ooi Feb 9 2007

佐渡、新穂の朱鷺公園に行く途中にあります。「東光寺」と石に刻んであったようにおもいます。

NBAバスケットボールのようなスタイルのお地蔵さんは初めてでした。大概、白装束によだれかけというのが定番の中にあって、チビTシャツにランニングの重ね着をしていました。それに、毛糸の帽子。

夜な夜な3対3の試合を寺の門前で繰り広げているようでかわいかったです。

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I found them on the way to "Toki-Koen" (Ibis Park) in Niibo, Sado Island. I remeber that they were carved "Tokoji"(Toko Temple) on the stone themselves.

This is my first time to see such "O-Jizo-San" (guardian deity of child), wearing like NBA basket ball player uniform. Mostly, they wear bibs on their white costume, but these "O-Jizo-San" are putting on tiny T-shirts and/or no sleeve T-shirts, with knitting caps.

The game of 3:3 may be held in front of the temple's gate every night.
It looked lovely.

translated by Sayo

新井武志 2007年2月7日 Takeshi Arai Feb 7 2007

サンディエゴ郊外のエスコンディド。
フリーウェイ沿いのイタリアンレストラン（全国チェーン）の取り皿。
ちょっと脂ぎってます。

ベタですが、「ウェブログお久しぶりでございます」の、挨拶代わりに小ネタをひとつ。

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Escondid, suburbs of San Diego.
This is a taking plate at one Italian restaurant (natinal chain).
It looks a little oily.

Instead of my greeting not to show up for a long time on web log, I give you a tiny joke!

translated by Sayo

砂畑好江 2007年2月7日 Yoshie Sunahata Feb 7 2007

皆様、ご報告がおそくなって申し訳ございません、そして数々のお祝いのお言葉をいただきまして、ありがとうございます。

改めまして…、一月初旬に旧姓砂畑好江は、阿部研三と入籍いたしました。
お恥ずかしながら…、鼓童新年会での様子を御覧下さい。（ちなみに、隣に映っている子供は鼓童メンバーの子で、私の子供ではありません。）

舞台では、砂畑を芸名として名乗るつもりです。
これからも、どうぞ宜しくお願いいたします。

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Everyone, I am sorry that I have not informed about my personal matter to you till now. And, thank you for many words of congratulation.

At the beginning of January, I got married with Kenzo Abe. I am shy to show it to you, but please see our appearance in Kodo New Year's party. (By the way, the child next to me is other member's, not mine!)

I will keep my old name "Yoshie Sunahata" as a stage name.
Thank you!

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月6日その2 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 6 2007 - No.2

〜サンノゼ太鼓へ〜（カリフォルニア州サンノゼ）

鼓童の前身、鬼太鼓座時代からお世話になっているサンノゼ太鼓の稽古場へ見学に行きました。

上の写真は、日本人街の交差点の所にありました。
サンノゼ太鼓さんは1973年に発足して以来34年目になるグループです。結成当時、アメリカには太鼓グループがサンフランシスコ太鼓道場とキンナラ太鼓を加えた計三つしかなかったそうです。

稽古終了後、皆で車座に座って鼓童とサンノゼ太鼓の歴史を伺いました。
最後はやっぱり唄でお礼。名残惜しく、またの再会を約束して。

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"Visited San Jose Daiko" (San Jose, CA)

We visited a rehearsal of "San Jose Daiko," which had taken care of us since the time we were Ondeko-za.

The picture above was hung in the intersection in a Japan Town. San Jose Daiko was established in 1973, and they've been around for 34 years. When they made a group, there were only other 3 taiko groups in the U.S; San Francisco Taiko Dojo and Kinnara Daiko beside San Jose Daiko.

After their practice, we heard a history of Kodo and San Jose Daiko, sitting in a circle. At the end, we sung a song, showing our appreciation. We promised to see each other, though we are sad to be apart.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月6日 Kazunari Abe Feb 6 2007

〜食べ納め〜

バークレー最後の夜。
この街にはおいっしいインドカレーのお店があるんですよ!!!
…興奮気味でごめんなさい。

あ、しかもテーブルにツアーのスケジュール帳とかアイポッドか…
行儀悪くてごめんなさい。

ともかく最後の夜にはこの店に行っとかなきゃっ、というわけで食べ納めしてきました。ほうれん草とチーズのカレーにライス、マンゴーラッシーにチャイ。
幸せでした。

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"Last Supper"

Last night in Berkeley.
There is a yummy, yummy Indian Curry Restaurant in this town!!... Sorry that I am so excited!!

Oh, no, my tour schedule, I-Pod etc.. are on the table. I am very sorry not to be a nice gentleman.

Anyway, I got to go to this restaurant, so I did. I ordered spinach and cheese curry on rice, mango lassie, and chai.
It was my greatest night.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年2月5日 Kazunari Abe Feb 5 2007

「カリフォルニア大学バークレー校」

ツアー前半の5公演が終わり、バークレーで休日です。

学食のカフェテリアでしばしコーヒーを飲んだりしました。
キャンパスは広いし、空は青いし、学生さんたちは活気にあふれているしで、開放的ないい感じ。

アメリカの大学に来るといつも思うことがあります。
…もうちょっと大学生活、謳歌しとくんだったなぁ。

二年間はばっちり謳歌したんですけどね。

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"University of California, Berkeley"

We have done 5 performances at the beginning of this tour, and had day-off in Berkeley.

I had a cup of coffee at the cafeteria in UCB. The campus is wide, the sky is blue, and students are energetic and openhearted. Good atomospher.

Whenever I come to college in the U.S, I think that I should have enjoyed my college life more...

I have done it for 2 years, though!

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月5日 Tomohiro Mitome Feb 5 2007

バークレーでのお休み日。

今回のツアーのサブマネージャーをして下さっている、ニューヨーク僧太鼓のニシクラヒデアキさんにご紹介いただき、そめい吉野太鼓さん（オークランド）と、オン・アンサンブルさん（ロサンジェルス）によるジョイントコンサートの稽古見学をさせて頂きました。

私たちは、二階のロフト？にて見学。

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Day-off in Berkeley

This North U.S. tour submanager, Hideaki Nishikura, intoroduced us "Someiyoshino Daiko (from Oakland)" and "On Emsemble (from Los Angeles)," and we visited a rehersal of their collaboration concert.

We saw a practice from the second floor.

その後、記念撮影。
日本語とカタコトの英語で交流をしながら、最後には鬼太鼓を皆さんに見て頂きました。

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We took a portrait, then.
We communicated in Japanese and a little bit of English somehow, and showed
"Onidaiko," a demon dance at the end.

translated by Sayo

鼓童プロモーションビデオ Kodo Promotion Video

2月2日　鼓童プロモーションビデオ　(0'45" 2.9MB)

新しいプロモーションビデオが完成しました。まずはウェブログ上にてサワリの45秒をご披露いたします。ご感想など、コメントいただけると嬉しいです。また、ここで動画を公開するのは初めてでもありますので、皆さんの環境でちゃんと観ることが出来たかについても、教えていただけると助かります。ご協力お願いいたします。

「観られた」方はその旨を、「観られない」方につきましては、お手数ながらコンピュータのOSの種類（Windows XPとかWindows2000とか、MacOS Xとか、判る範囲で結構です）、ブラウザの種類とバージョン（Internet Explorerとか、Firefoxとか、Safariとか…）などをお知らせ下さいませ。

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Feb 2　Kodo Promotion Video　(0'45" 2.9MB)

A new promotion video was just made. For now, we introduce you 45 seconds of the climax on the web log. We are happy to hear your impression, comments etc. We are also glad to hear if you are able to see this video in your enviroment, because this is our first time to open video on this web log. Thanks for your coopration in advance.

If you can see our video, please let us know then, and if you cannnot, please let us know the kind of your computer OS (Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X, etc.), a browser and the version (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.).

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年2月1日 Tomohiro Mitome Jan 1 2007

Marin Veteran Memorial Auditorium
San Rafael

アメリカに多く見られる、劇場の客席を撮影しました。

日本の会館には、客席に縦の通路というものがあるのですが、こちらではあまり見かけません。
聞いた話によれば、非常事態のときに逃げ道での混乱が無いように、このような設定になっているそうです。
ちなみに横に並んだ客席を数えてみたら、66席ありました。
開演にちょっと遅れてきて、真ん中の席だったら、30人の方々に通路を開けて貰うのを考えたら……。

こちらの方は体格が大きいのに、さほど椅子は大きくないし、通路も広くないので、席に行き着くまで大変だろうなと、余計な心配をしてしまいました。

-----

I have taken some pictures of usual seat style in the theater in the U.S.

Usually, in Japanese theater, there are vertical passages, but hardly seen here. I heard that because those vertical passages may make audience confused to find the fire exit in case of emergency. I curiously counted seats sideways, and there were 66 of those. I wonder if you have a ticket at the middle of the row and delay to the show, what would you do?

It may be an extra, but I am worried about the case above. Since both seats and passages are not so large, and people here are much bigger than us, it would take much trouble to reach to your seat...

劇場の外に、大きな大きな松ぼっくりがありました。アメリカンサイズをお楽しみ下さい。

ちなみに小さい松ぼっくりが、日本サイズと同じくらいです。
どうでしょう?? この大きさ!!

-----

Outside the theater, I found a huge pinecone. Please enjoy an American size!

And, this is a small pinecone as same as a Japanese size. Amazing!

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年1月29日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Jan 29 2007

二ヶ月ぶりの楽器!　何事も無くよかったよかった。

-----

Our musical instruments had been on a ferry transportation for 2 months. We were so glad that no accident was happened to them during their long trip.

トラック運転手のドニーさん。
三年ぶりの再会にお互い感動　\(T−T)/
しかし、ひげがバージョンアップしててビックリしました。

-----

He is our track driver, Donnie. I am very happy to meet him again since 2005. \(T-T) I was surprised that his beard had improved (expanded!).

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年1月29日 Tomohiro Mitome Jan 29 2007

〜アンパッキング〜

昨年の11月に、船便で送り出した楽器達と、二ヶ月ぶりの再会です。

始めに出てきた、銀色の二段重ねの箱には、平胴太鼓と台などが入っています。
次に皆がお神輿みたいに担いで出てきたのは、太鼓などを乗せて移動できる、平台が入っています。
次に出てきたのは、大太鼓です。
箱の中身を出したら、今度は梱包してきた箱を、小さくまとめて、トラックにしまいます。それと同時進行で、台を組んだり、太鼓をカバーから出したり、公演のための準備が着々と進んでいきます。

これから二ヶ月間、アメリカ大陸と、カナダへの旅が始まります。

-----

- Un-packing -

We met our musical instruments again, which we have sent off by ship last November.

First of all, there comes the silver boxes of two step piling, that contain
"Hirado-daiko"(wide-bodied drum) and the drum stands. Then, we carry flat bases, which can be moved by putting the drums etc., on our shoulders like "Omikoshi"(portable shrine). Next comes "O-daiko"(large drum). After taking inside the boxes out, we fold the boxes themselves in small and put them in our track. At the same time, we prepare for the performance, uniting the drum stands, putting the drums out from the covers, and so on.

Now, we are at the start line of the 2 months' tour in the U.S. and Canada.

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年1月28日 Kazunari Abe Jan 28 2007

アメリカ初日の夕飯は…、

中華料理の大食い あんど 食後のエスプレッソ。

-----

First day's dinner in the US...
After the glutton of Chinese cuisine, we had some espresso.

translated by Sayo

松浦充長 2007年1月27日 Mitsunaga Matsuura Jan 27 2007

無事サンフランシスコに到着しました。ここからバスで2時間ぐらい移動してデービスに入ります。

しかし頭がぼーっとしています。
眠い…。

-----

We arrived at San Francisco in safe. It will take about 2hours by bus to Davis.

Gee..., I feel dizzy... So sleepy...

translated by Sayo

見留知弘 2007年1月27日 Tomohiro Mitome Jan 27 2007

2007年アメリカツアーの始まり、成田空港にて。
恒例、山野さんのお見送りです。
また二ヵ月後の再会を約束して。
（管理人注：山野さん、昨年は新年会を催してくださっています。昨年の記事はこちら。いつもありがとうございます。）

-----

In the start of North US Tour in 2007 at Narita Airport. As always, we were seen off by Mr Yamano, our great long-time companion. We promised to see each other after two month's tour.
(Weblog manager note : Mr Yamano held the New Year's Party last year. Please click here for the last year's article. Thank him as always!)

成田→ロサンゼルス→サンフランシスコと飛行機を乗り継ぎまして、最初の公演地、デービスへのバス移動中に寄ったスーパーにて。

棚に置いてあるだけでは、この大きさが分かりにくいので、一成くんに持ってもらいました。
どうでしょう?? この大きさ!!

-----

We took the airplane from Narita to Los Angeles, and translated to San Francisco. And then, we took the bus to Davis, our first concert place. On the way, we went to the supermarket.

You cannot tell how big bags of popcorns are as they are only from being in the shelf, so I made Kazunari hold one of those. Oh, my goodness. How gigantic! Can you believe that?

translated by Sayo

阿部一成 2007年1月27日 Kazunari Abe Jan 27 2007

一成です。
無事、アメリカへ到着。
飛行機で空を越え、バスでフリーウェイを駆け抜けました。
着いた街は　カリフォルニアのデーヴィス。
時差ぼけかどうかは、すでにぼけてるのか、よくわかりません。

ホテルで、僕の初アメリカツアーの時よりお世話になってるトラックドライバーのドニーさんに再会！
このツアーもよろしくねー。

Davis, California

-----

Hi, this is Kazunari.

We have safely arrived at the United States. We went across the sky by airplane and ran through the freeway by bus. The first town we arrived at was Davis. Do I have a jet lag, or become senile? Nobody knows.

At hotel, we met Donnie, our truck driver since my first North US Tour. Nice to see him again! Let's have a great tour!

Davis, California

translated by Sayo

Tomohiro Mitome Sep 3 2006

Sado International Triathlon took place on September 3rd. As same as every year, Gan-chan (Yasuhiko Ishihara) from joined this event. We encouraged him and all the athletes with taiko drums on the street. Picture right is Ryunosuke Arai, a son of Takeshi and Kazuko cheering athletes.

translated by Chie

Takuro Susaki Sep 2 2006

We presented a going way party for Kaoru Watanabe on September 2 at Kodo Village dining hall. Party meal was prepared by (unexpectedly) Yosuke and his assistants which made the party more gourgeous.

The picture above is the moment of our "kanpai" (taken by Tomohiro). There seems like a lot of people, but we had more in the end.

The below pictures are taken when we are having fun (or kicking out the jams...). (photo by Kazuki)
Yuichiro(left), Kaoru (middle) and Masami (right) were at the same class at Apprentice Center, but it is unusual to see them together these days. It is not that they don't get along, but they just did not have much chance to be together. Above right picture features Yoshikazu giving a speech to Kaoru. It would have been nice to end with that speech, Yoshikazu did not want to give the mic away and ended up reading a long line from manuscript "Genzo Akagaki," which was really funny and well received.
Below right picture is Kaoru performing Ondeko dance trying to remember how it goes. He had to ask younger members "What do I do next?"
Below left is Atsushi, Managing Directorfor for Earth Celebration who worked closely with Kaoru, the artistic director for EC. Atushi's nonsense Ondeko dance brought a huge laugh.

translated by Chie

Kaoru Watanabe Sep 1 2006

Breakdancer/ Capoerista extraordinaire Ron (aka Zen One) from Urban Tap was inspired to try on the SASARA used in ShiShiOdori during a break in rehearsal. After a few minutes of miss-shots and some effective coaching by Takeshi, he was finally able to get a mighty slap out of them. Ron, in my opinion however, was much more effective doing his six foot long head slides and spinning around upside down in circles on one arm.

Kaoru Watanabe Aug 31 2006

Thank you everyone for making Earth Celebration 2006 a huge success.

I would especially like to thank Tamango, Bonga, Vado, Ron, Belinda, Avram and Fabio from Urban Tap, and special guests Kinjo Mitsue (Okinawan Classical Dance) and Wakabayashi Mitsue (jazz dance) for their remarkable talents, spirit and energy and for making my life easy by being so wonderful on and off the stage.

I would especially like to thank the Kodo players staff for all the musical, logistical, personal support, for all the invaluable advice and criticism.

I would especially like to thank the lighting, sound and technical crew and staff for making my visions come to life.

I would especially like to thank the many volunteers who helped with everything from building the stage, taking apart the stage, lots of heavy lifiting, helping people find their way, security, cleaning up, serving food, taking tickets, and all the other 200 hundred things that need to be taken care of for Earth Celebration to run smoothly.

And I would especially like to thank all the people who came to Sado to share with us those SWEATY and HOT but very beautiful three days of dancing, singing, and music making. We had around 2,800 people on the mountain on the third night alone and I think there were some incredible moments when we were all moving and breathing as one.

Please write in with any stories, impressions, criticisms or memories you have from this year's Earth Celebration. I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Miwa Saito Apr 15 2006

We had many festivals on Sado today.

It was a beautiful day with cherry blossoms and perfect for festivals. Many of Kodo members are avid festival lovers and joined in various festivals.

At Maruyama, a staff member, Toshiaki joined as a Roso, trickster (picture right - a man in a white costume with lantern). Yasuko also played a flute with them. This was her 10th year at the festival!

translated by Chie

Takuro Susaki Apr 14 2006

Right after lunch, they got together for practice....

Red, yellow, blue. Hmm... are they trying to be a stop signal? They did not plan to make such a combination. What a synchronicity! They must be able to read each other's mind... Of course, they make a perfect trio on the stage!

translated by Chie

Kazuko Arai Mar 31 2006

A quarter century of Kodo history can be seen in this picture:

the youngest daughter of Oi family (middle) is looking after Arai brothers. It is great for us, mothers!

translated by Chie

Europe Tour 2006 Official Report

The European tour which began in late January has come to a close and all the players and staff have safely returned home to Japan. This will be the final weblog report for this tour.

Kodo's long held dream of going to Spain was finally fulfilled this time around, for we were able to wrap up the tour on the Iberian Peninsula with concerts in both Spain and Portugal. This also marks our first time performing in Portugal in cities other than Lisbon, Oporto and Figueira da Voz in the northern region.

March 18th
Porto, Portugal
Coliseu do Oporto

The venue was in a colosseum style theater located in the heart of Porto, Portugal's second largest city next to Lisbon. In 1996, Porto's historic town center was designated as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking along the stone paved roads, one feels transported to the Middle Ages. Since this 60 year old coliseum was also made entirely of stone, there were concerns that the reverberation of the drums would be too strong. However, to our relief, once the audience took their seats, their bodies absorbed much of the sound and acoustics mellowed considerably. The audience's enthusiasm for the performance however was not dampened in the least.

March 19th
Figueira da Foz, Portugal
Centro de Artes e Espectaculos Figueira da Foz

In contrast to Lisbon and Porto, Figueira da Foz is a summer resort town. Right In front of the hotel was the ocean and if it hadn't been cold, there is no doubt that every single member of Kodo would have been in the water. The city felt eerily quiet and abandoned, probably due to both the fact that was it the off season and also that it was a Sunday in a predominantly Catholic city. Compared to the concerts in Lisbon and Porto, there seemed to be a lot of families in the audience, giving a nice relaxed feel to the evening's concert. It is interesting how the audiences can vary so greatly depending on the city, even while staying in the same country.

Finally, we enter the final leg of the trip with concerts in three cities in Northern Spain. I found Northern Spain to be very different from what I knew of the country- the Flamenco and bullfighting for which Southern Spain is famous.

March 22
Leon, Spain
Auditorio Ciudad De Leon

Located in the Autonomous Community of Castile and Leon, this town is an important point in the Way of St. James, one of the three major Catholic Pilgrimages, along with those that lead to Jerusalem and Rome. Indeed, the cathedral and temples carried an overwhelming presence over the city center from which they rose. The piety of the local people could be seen in the steady stream of worshippers entering one after the other into these establishments, deep into the night.

Here in Leon, we found ourselves relying greatly on hand and body gestures to communicate because for the most part, English wasn't in common use. Nonetheless, the locals spoke to non-Spanish speakers openly and without trepidation.

March 24
San Sebastian, Spain
Centro Kursaal

San Sebastian is a Basque port town near the French border. Like we had many times during the course of this tour, we once again found ourselves in a port town with the concert hall facing the ocean. The town was so clean it almost felt like we were in France or Switzerland and the atmosphere was completely different from Leon. This town has benefitted from economic growth through heavy industry in the past and through drawing large crowds of vacationers and tourists to the many health resorts and beaches now. The Basque have their own unique culture, language and traditions. The Basque nationalist organization ETA had recently announced an indefinite cease fire so the theater personnel couldn't keep their eyes off the television news this day. They watched with palpable joy and relief. The audience reacted very emotionally to the concert, so much that we in turn were moved by the enthusiasm with which they applauded and shouted. Even after the performance, the Kodo staff were assailed with questions and comments from the audience- it's a good thing people speak English here! I found the people of San Sebastian to be extraordinarily passionate folks.

March 25th
Santander, Spain
Palacio Festivales Cantabria

With this concert, we finally come to the end of this tour. Again we faced the Cantabria Ocean in yet another resort town, this one called Santander. With strong winds and warm temperatures, children were already swimming in the ocean. The concert hall was near the ocean and built of rather unconventional design. The inside was built like a maze that I could never quite figure out! In general, people here were more reserved then in Basque. People were very friendly and helpful but when we asked directions, everybody seemed to give contradictory answers... and like in Leon, English was not really useful here. The concert ended well without incident and after packing up everything to ship home, we had simple toast. Good job, everybody!

Finally, I'd like to give my heartfelt thanks to: Matheus and Joris who shared with us many trials and tribulations, our many agents in each country, all the people who came to see our concerts, the Kodo players and staff, and all the people who followed the tour through the weblog.

Jun Akimoto
Kodo
European Tour Manager
March 30, 2006

Tomohiro Mitome Mar 28 2006

We are back from Europe!

Mr. Yamano (middle) kindly welcomed us at the airport. He also sent us off for our departure on January 27. Thank you very much for your support, Yamano-san!

translated by Chie

Europe Tour 2006 Official Report

March 8th and 9th

Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Rotterdamse Shouwburg

It has been twenty years since Kodo last performed in Rotterdam.

The Shouwburg Theater is known to host the most innovative and cutting-edge dance and theater companies. In fact, the day before the Kodo concert, the Netherlands Dance Theater had a performance here that was simply incredible. This company, by the way, has performed the composer Ishii Maki's piece Kaguya Hime in collaboration with Kodo in 1988.

Back to the subject of the Kodo performance, whether through applause, sighs or shouts, the audience gave direct and unaffected response to the performance even in the middle of pieces. Among the audience was the Dutch percussion group Circle Percussion who Kodo has been friends with since the 1980's.

On the 9th, Kodo appeared on the popular Dutch television show "Pauls Punt" with the popular Dutch rock band Bløf. You can read more about this in Tomohiro's March 9th weblog entry. By the way, here in the Netherlands, Bløf's record breaking number one hit single "Aanzoek Zonder Ringen" which Kodo makes a guest appearance on, has large display corners in all the major record stores in Rotterdam and has commercials constantly running on the television.

March 16th and the 17th
Lisbon, Portugal
Casino Estoril

This makes Kodo's fourth appearance here in Lisbon. Portugal this time of year is warm and sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s, with the cherry trees in bloom. It was so warm that the frosty Belgium seemed like a distant dream. Although Kodo has performed in wide variety of venues up until now, a casino has not been among them. Incidently, the concert this evening started at ten thirty in the evening! The audience had to adhere to the dress code of jackets and ties for the men and dresses for the women. People were dining on sushi in the lobby while standing amongst the rows of slot machines. Performing in front of a wine sipping audience, we were able to enjoy the luxurious mood of this somewhat strange evening.

Jun Akimoto
Kodo
European Tour Manager
March 22, 2006

Kaoru Watanabe Mar 17 2006

Eichi and Masami came back from their US workshop tour, tan and plump from their stay in Hawaii. Wait, forget I said "plump". Eichi and I have desks next to each other in the artistic directors office above the practice hall here in Kodo Village and when he came in the other day, among other things American that came out of his bag and that he plopped down on the shelf above my desk, was a bobbing head doll of Reverend Mas Kodani from Seishin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles and one of the founding members of Kinnara Daiko, the oldest taiko group in the United States. I don't know him personally very well, but I have great respect for him for his teachings and his role in the birth of taiko in the United States.

However, every time I happen to glance up, this man's head is ALWAYS moving.

I will be deep in thought, trying to decide whether to do this piece or that at Earth Celebration, or writing an e-mail to our guest artist, Tamango about my thoughts on the collaboration. I will lean back in my chair to think and clear my head- and that bobbing movement always seems to catch my eye. With that smug expression on his face and that ambiguous head bobbing- not quite a nod, not quite a shake- I sometimes feel like I'm being taunted by the Reverend. If things are not going well that day, sometimes I have to keep myself from throwing the Reverend out the window. I'm starting to feel like the narrator in The Tell-Tale Heart.

"Anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt I must scream or die!"

OK, I'm exaggerating now. It's not really that bad. I would have preferred some Macadamia Nut chocolates from Hawaii though...

Kaoru Watanabe Mar 13 2006

Three weeks of unseasonably Spring-like weather, of casual walks in the sunlight to look at Hina Matsuri dolls, of leaving my jacket in the car and going out in a sweater, all came to an abrupt end yesterday when a morning of rain was followed by snow, snow and more snow. It's dark outside as I write this, but there's plenty of the white stuff around and it doesn't seem like it's going to let up any time soon.

This freaky weather is scaring me a little. Well, no- a lot. Changes in the weather are a matter of fact, but when you go from warm and sunny to straight up blizzard in two days- and this happened to me in New York too, as those of you follow the weblog know- there seems something... unnatural about all this nature.

I suppose I can do my best to recycle and not waste natural resources, but I must constantly remind myself that there is always more I can do. I don't know- buy a Prius or something. In the meantime, my advice to myself is when it's hot out, get as much sun as possible, and when it snows, build igloos. Or stay inside.

I took a picture of Aya...
... and Aya took a picture of me.

Europe Tour 2006 Official Report

For the week between February 27th through March 5th, we had concerts in four German cities- Munich, Nuremberg, Hamburg, Dusseldorf. The following is a report from Germany, a country obsessed with the upcoming FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournaments being held here in just a few months.

February 27th and 28th
Munich, Gasteig Philharmonie

Since Kodo has been performing regularly in Munich since 1987, the city has a very familiar, comfortable feel to it. The Gasteig is a cultural arts complex which houses large and small concert halls, a music library, and recording studio, is the home to the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the cultural center of the city. Once again for two consecutive days, we were able to perform to a sold out audience of 2,400 people. Munich audiences are known to be very intelligent, informed and critical listeners. The Kodo players found themselves inspired to perform to the highest level by the intense concentration with which the audience followed the proceedings on stage.

March 2nd
Nuremberg, Meistersingerhalle

Like Munich, Nuremberg is part of Germany's southernmost state, Bavaria. This is only Kodo's second time here since 1989. Appreciation goes towards the many people who told us they have been waiting for Kodo to come for a long time, including some people who traveled four hours from the former East Germany just to see the concert. In the outskirts of this still medieval city, is the concert venue Meistersingerhalle. At one corner of the concert hall there still remains an expansive area that was used as a gathering place for huge Nazi rallies. An arena capable of holding over one hundred thousand people and a meeting hall that held over fifty thousand people were built here between the mid '20s through the mid '30s. Part of that meeting hall is now being used as a library with reference material of Nazi activities from those times. One can see the German people looking hard and unwaveringly at the burdens placed on them by their past.

March 4th
Hamburg, Congress Center Hamburg

We then travelled North to the second largest German city of Hamburg. This is Kodo's third appearance in Hamburg. Being Germany's largest international port city, Hamburg has developed into a city in drastic contrast to the more rural Southern states. There was a chaotic energy almost on the level of New York City here. And in the center of the chaos is the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH) a multi purpose complex which holds not just concerts, but International Industrial Conventions and Exhibitions.

The audience for the concert was diverse, from young children to the elderly, with representatives from different nationalities and occupations and their passionate applause continued long after the encore ended this evening.

March 5th
Dusseldorf, Tonhalle Dusseldorf

This was our first appearance in Dusseldorf in six years. We performed in the Tonhalle, a very modernistic concert hall which just opened last year, having been rebuilt from an old planetarium. Walking inside this perfectly shaped dome, one very easily loses their sense of direction. The concert hall itself is a sort of doubled layered building within a building. In order to go from the dressing rooms to the stage, one must pass through a narrow hallway above the lobby, so we had a lot of trouble taking the drums to and from the stage area. Sometimes it is difficult to find the right balance between artistic design and functionality in architecture. The acoustics of the hall were excellent however, and layout of the hall created a nice sense of intimacy between the audience and the performers. All in all, the performers were able to really concentrate and give it their all.

Jun Akimoto
Kodo
European Tour Manager
March 8th

Kaoru Watanabe Mar 5 2006

I'm sure people are tired of seeing photographs of the hina dolls on the weblog so I promise it will all be over soon. Just a few more to go- bear with me...

The town of Aikawa, known historically as a gold mining town during the Edo period, has recently decided to make the displaying of the hina dolls open to the public in many homes and stores. This affords visitors a chance to enter any private home listed on the Hina matsuri map- usually homes of relative prominence- to appreciate the dolls on display there.

As a result of Aikawa being at one point a very wealthy town, some of these houses still have exquisite gardens hidden behind their walls and some of the dolls were up to three centuries old and of the highest quality. As amazing as the dolls on display were the people who lived in these houses and took time the time to speak to the throngs of visitors flowing in and out of their houses. One 94 year woman was particularly memorable, living alone in a beautiful old house with particularly life-like dolls lovingly on display.

I spent the whole day with friends, walking from house to house, chatting with the owners and hearing their stories. The temperature was unseasonably warm and sunny. Dolls are bought to celebrate the birth of a girl and then displayed this time every year to remember the the joy of that event and as a prayer for a life of continued happiness and success. These dolls are handed down through the generations, their miniature kimonos fraying and decaying over the decades and centuries, to be replaced by new hand made ones.

This doll was on display in a drugstore.

Dolls depict the emperor and empress and their court as well as various princes, shoguns, warriors and other historical figures. Among the court figures are often musicians, including flute and taiko players.

This photograph has nothing to do with Hina matsuri- I just like the sign hanging upside down.

Kaoru Watanabe Mar 3 2006

Here in Japan, the third day of the third month is known as "Hina Matsuri", a day when people pray for the success and happiness of their daughters. Folks display an arrangement of ornate dolls in their households, in a tradition that may seem similar to how people may pull Christmas tree ornaments out of dusty boxes every winter and decorate a tree.

On this day, people eat CHIRASHI ZUSHI, rice that has been sweetened with sugar and vinegar, along with an assortment of vegetables and sweets.

This year's hina matsuri happened to fall on the day when it was Aki and my turn to cook lunch for the group. I helped, but I must say, Aki is the one who really did all the work.

She even made SAKURA MOCHI from scratch. What do I know about "daughter's day" anyway? I was born and raised a man. Regardless, I did my part and things turned out pretty well.

How did everyone enjoy YOUR Hina Matsuri?

Kaoru Watanabe Feb 23 2006

After a rather intense one month out in New York, Belgium and Tokyo during which I met with many artists, presenters, musicians, and dancers and was able to see some great shows and visit great museums, I am finally back in good ol' Sado Island. Otherwise known as Sadogashima in Japanese. Some of us, with affection, reduce it to just "GAshima". Although there are no museums, movie theaters, or jazz clubs, here in GAshima, there is an abundance of magically quiet places to think and ponder the deeper questions in our lives. Whether looking out at the endlessness of the ocean, or gazing up at the stars shimmering brilliantly in the sky, some questions come naturally to the mind: what is our purpose here on this planet? Where do we go from here? How did this beautiful world come to be, was it Evolution or Intelligent Design?

I am also able to sit and really think about what I want to do for Earth Celebration this year. I spend a lot of time watching video of different performances, reading about the regions of the world where the guest artists come from- there religions, festivals, lifestyles, and histories. I also spend time with my toy Kodo stage that Doba made for me to help me think of stage layout and the players positions.

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the word "KODO" is properly printed on the uniforms...

Europe Tour 2006 Official Report

Greetings from the road here in the United Kingdom. We begin this year's European Tour with three concerts in Antwerp, Belgium in the final few days of January. We will play in seven countries, Belgium, Ireland, England, Holland, Germany, Portugal and Spain over the course of two months. Through the 25th of February, we will be making our way through England before crossing over into Germany on the 26th.

For the current program, in addition to the heavy and powerful drums, we are featuring delicate string instruments, voice and flute. So far there has been a great response to Ryutaro Kaneko's artistic direction which brings out both the masculine and feminine elements of Kodo to great effect.

You can visit the following address to view pictures and read a BBC review of a Kodo concert in Birmingham.

BBC - Sound of the rising drum

Since Kodo has not been to Dublin, New Castle, or Brighton since 1980, performing there felt like coming home after a long journey. Among those stops, we also performed to a full audience in the brand new hall, The Sage Gatehead, and a wonderful space that just opened at the end of last year in New Castle.

Kodo performed in Northern Ireland's Belfast for the first time ever. It was indeed a debut concert to remember. Also, Kodo was invited to the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador where we were able to perform for dignitaries from various countries around the world. Also in Dublin, Kodo made a live appearance on the Late Late Show, Ireland's highest rated nationwide television program.

It seems that during this tour, everywhere we go fellow musicians are dropping by to say hello. In Dublin, both Donal Lunny and Kila member Ronan O Snodaigh came, the drummer Ray Cooper visited us in London, the Scottish taiko group Mugenkyo Taiko came by in Edinburgh while a large number of Stomp members came by in Brighton. Having these meetings and reunions is truly one of the greatest things about touring.

February 21st

Jun Akimoto
European Tour Manager
Kodo

The Sage Gateshead exterior

Inside of the hall

At the Japanese embassy in Dublin

Kaoru Watanabe Feb 19 2006

In order to gain insight, inspiration and knowledge into the world of tap dancing in preparation for this year's Earth Celebration, aside from meeting with and seeing tappers in New York, I have also recently made the acquaintance of a few of Japan's finest tappers, including SUJI who was featured in Beat Takeshi's Zatoichi as a member of the tap troupe The Stripes. I also met with his friend Doji who told me of a tap session that takes place in Shibuya every Saturday night behind HMV.

Unlike the the audience members shivering in the cold, the "hoofers", about seven of them in all, were sweating hard by the end of a two hour session. At it's peak, around twenty people passing by had gathered around to watch- whenever someone would drop some money into the hat they had placed out there, the dancers would do a little dance of joy, stomping on the floor as fast as they could and spinning in little circles.

What these dancers are doing is essentially creating a small community to give themselves a place where they can learn from and push each other to grow. Also importantly, a place to hone their skills in front of an audience. It would be wonderful to see this session grow into something more established over time, with more dancers, more of an audience, perhaps even moving indoors into a club? Somewhere with heating preferably...

Pretty much every Saturday night at 9:30 behind the HMV in Shibuya. Put some money in the hat and watch them dance.

Kaoru Watanabe Feb 16 2006

Went to visit the master fue maker Ranjo san at his home in Chiba prefecture in a small town called Naruto. After a few hours of talking and him showing me some new fue that he was developing, we were joined by former Kodo player Tetsuro Naito and former Kodo apprentice Tomoko Takeda who now perform together as TOMORO. We talked of old times and had a few laughs. Even though it had been a couple years since seeing either of them, we immediately fell into our old rhythms and spoke as if no time had passed.

As for Ranjo san, as always it was an immense pleasure to hear what he has to say. As a Kodo player, what with our tour schedule and the fact that we live in Sado, it is often difficult to meet and listen to other fue players. Ranjo san probably has a better knowledge of what sort of players are out there than anyone. Also, his knowledge of all aspects of the fue, the different styles, schools and histories is vast, obviously and he openly shares this knowledge. He always encourages me to study more and has the connections and insight to point me in the right direction for where he feels I should go at any given time.

I caught a ride with Tomoro back to Tokyo in their van after being at Ranjo san's place for a solid eight hours.

Finally, it was Ranjo san's birthday the day before so everyone please wish him a good one!

Daisuke Taniguchi Feb 14 2006

There is a "Computer Section" at Kodo Office. Since there are so many Mac users in Kodo, if you are familiar with Macintosh, you will automatically be at this section and need to help others. I also help here and there and recently replaced my own hard disk drive. Recently one of the Power Book was taken apart by Takuro as it shows above. Sometimes we take care of such serious cases. The Section Chief, Takuro is a hard-core Mac user. Although he complains about his work, I know he loves it!

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Kaoru Watanabe Feb 12 2006

During the past three weeks there were many days where I found myself walking around the city basking in the unseasonably warm weather actually praising the Bush's environmental policies. I was absolutely loving this Global Warming thing.

Then, the day before I leave back for Japan, New England was pummeled by a torrential blizzard.

The snow started falling the night before, but by morning everything was covered in white. We ventured outside to find streams of people making their way to Central Park with sleds in hand. Dogs were tugging at their leashes wanting to play in the stuff.

By the afternoon, the snow plows had pushed the snow off the streets up against the curb so that each city block had a small wall built around it. Cheap rents could finally be found in all the igloos that sprung up all over town.

To escape the cold that slowly crept into our coats and gloves, we stopped by a cafe to warm up with hot cocoa mixed with Baileys. Lots of people were doing the same.

Tomohiro Mitome Feb 12 2006

A theater at Manchester. Gorgeous pipe organ in the back.

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Tomohiro Mitome Feb 11 2006

Yosuke is checking a frog shaped instrument at a theater in Gateshead. He got two of them.

This is the theater inside and outside.

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Kaoru Watanabe Feb 11 2006

Had my third sit down with the great tapper Tamango today. The more we talk, the more I can't wait for this year's Earth Celebration to happen. We always spend the first couple of hours of our conversations talking about the world, spirituality, beliefs, music et al before we get to the topic of Earth Celebration at all.

Today also marked the first day it snowed here in New York since I arrived. Amazing, considering it got up to 50 degrees only a couple of weeks ago.

After we left the East Village cafe, I told him I should get a picture of him for Kodo's weblog. I told him to dance and he obliged graciously but unfortunately my skills as a camera man weren't up to par this day. This is the best I could come up with. Although it may be hard to tell he is dancing, I did manage to capture that big grin of his and some of the falling snow.

Kaoru Watanabe Feb 10 2006

Visited the Museum of Modern Art today. Have you been? It was designed by the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi. He created a house of art that comes across as simple, flowing, expansive, dignified and pretty more than perfect in many ways.

The first photograph is of the main space in the heart of the museum- you can see the lobby one level down on the right half.

This is my attempt at making art out of part of one of Monet's water lily paintings and some unwitting leg models.

Tomohiro Mitome Feb 8 2006

We are loading our equipment to Barbican Centre in London.

Here, Mr. Odaiko comes up! He used a special gate to meet us in the back stage.

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Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 7 2006

「Breakfast」

There is a kitchen at our hotel in London. Lately not many of us cook anymore. But not to waste such a facility, after getting groceries at shop near the hotel, I cooked a breakfast this morning. Good bread at breakfast makes all my day happy:-)

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Kaoru Watanabe Feb 7 2005

Went to my friend Jason and Alicia's house up in Harlem for dinner tonight. Jason is a pianist for Blue Note Records and is currently one of the top pianists in the international jazz scene. He once joked that he was trying to get his touring schedule as busy as Kodo's, but it's not really a joke any more. He is an inspirational musician with an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history, an incredibly hip wardrobe and excellent cooking skills to boot.

I once asked Jason if he ever got nervous playing and he said no. I asked why and he said when he sits down at the piano, he is always honest. If you play with honesty he told me, there is nothing to be nervous about. Those words I have always kept close to my heart and have strived to reach a level where I can say that about my own playing. However, more often then not there seem to be technical hang ups and other qualities lacking in my playing that get in the way of a more direct emotional expression.

Jason is also one of the main reason I moved to Japan eight years ago in the first place actually. Jason was someone who lived his life with a deep understanding of both his African American culture and of his place in the century old legacy of jazz pianists. I see that level of consciousness in many of the greatest artists I know, whether in someone like Bando Tamasaburo or even Yoshikazu of Kodo. After spending many years as Jason's friend, I begin to feel I could not continue playing music, I couldn't really continue living in New York without a least a cursory understanding of the Japanese heritage from which I come.

So tonight it was good to spend a leisurely evening with old friends and to see how much if any I have changed since I lived in New York. The only thing I can really say at this point is in the last eight years, I have grown progressively more both "American" and "Japanese" in more ways than I care to go into at this point. I think that is fine. At least it's honest I suppose.

Tomohiro Mitome Feb 7 2006

This is the Buckingham Palace. I went to see The Guard Change. The guards with a fur hat are the ones working from now.

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Mitsunaga Matsuura Feb 6 2006

Waiting time....

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Tomohiro Mitome Feb 6 2006

【Top】The Waterfront Hall, Belfast, North Irland.

【Middle】Traveling from Belfast to London. Stage Manager Dobashi and Lighting Staff Mattias.

【Bottom】An airplane to London.

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Kaoru Watanabe Feb 4 2006

Went to see DanceBrazil, a Brazilian modern dance company that is strongly influenced by tradtional Brazilian song and dance, especially Capoeria. Wonderful dancing, costumes were simple and perfect for the dance which were joyful, playful and celebratory. The Capoeiristas were phenomenal. The live band playing in the orchestra pit brought the groove and soul of the deeply rich sounds of Brazil.

Went backstage afterwards to say hello to the choreographer and director Jelon Viera and was surprised to see KODO's lighting guy for our US tours, Leo Janks, backstage cleaning up the stage. I suppose he was more surprised than I was considering KODO is on tour in Europe.

I'm sorry but I just haven't been carrying my camera around like i should be. I guess I'm just worried it's going to be stolen from me somewhere. This is New York after all.

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 31 2006

Have you heard of the great artist Fred Wilson?

"His sculptures and site-specific installations investigate how meaning is contingent on context by creating new displays for art and artifacts in museums and cultural institutions"

Well, I couldn't have said it better. That quote is from the back of the program for a lecture of his at the Museum of Modern Art here in New York. My friend, the pianist Jason Moran told me I should come and I'm grateful to him for the tip. Mr. Wilson was very open in discussing the creative process behind his work and what went into bringing the concept in his head to life in a museum.

I was able to meet Mr. Wilson after the lecture during the reception and spoke briefly about how the past nine years of living in Japan has dramatically altered the relationship between myself and my culture (Japan? America? ) and my art (Japanese traditional? Jazz? Classical?)

It was not surprising to hear how someone whose work speaks so directly and powerfully to the viewer was able to so eloquently and completely discuss the meaning and significance of the art.

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 29 2006

Went to visit some friends in Jersey City last night. Dinner at a neighborhood French bistro and drinks at their home afterwards. We played with their dogs, two rambunctious beasts, enthusiastic and joyful - one of them, a fat bulldog with no neck, was so ugly in the most unselfconsciously glorious way. At a relatively decent hour, we said our goodnights and took the PATH train back home to Manhattan.

We got off at the World Trade Center station after passing among the silent towering foundation walls of the fallen buildings, everything- those walls, the earth movers, the piles of construction materials, was austerely lit with dry white floodlights. We hailed a taxi and directed the driver to take us to the upper east side via the FDR Drive. Soon we passed under the Brooklyn Bridge, and looked up at the massive underbelly as it stretched impossibly up and over the East River. Next came the Manhattan Bridge as well as the red neon Pepsi sign on the far Brooklyn side of the river, reflected hazily in the dark waters. Clusters of buildings of various shapes and sizes, stood near and far off in the distance, with random blocks of light scattered among the dark windows of their gridded faces.

We passed under the UN in midtown and then the Queensboro that connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. Eventually we got off the FDR and headed up second avenue. We passed plenty of local restaurants and neighborhood laundromats still holding the Gaps and MacDonald's at bay. People walked languidly on the sidewalks in the unseasonably warm winter night. A left turn here and a right turn there and the next thing you know we were home.

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 23 2006

2 and 1/2 hour ferry ride from Sado to Niigata, a two hour train ride from Niigata to Tokyo, an hour train ride from Tokyo to Narita, then a 12 hour flight from Narita to NYC, then arriving in NY on the 18th. Two days later on the 20th, two and a half hour train ride up to Albany to see Urban Tap, drive up two and a half hours to Boston to see my brother and his family, then drive three and a half hours back down to NYC on the 21st, take a subway and cab for over an hour to get to JFK airport on the 22nd to take a 7 hour plane ride to Madrid, stop over a few hours than another 2 and a half hours to Brussels. (arrive on the 23rd) See the little boy pissing statue and take pictures.

On the 24th play at an opening ceremony of a Research and Development Technical Center of Toyota Motors Europe (pass within a few feet of, among other dignitaries and CEOs, the Prime Minister of Belgium), then fly back to Madrid then on to New York, a what, 10 and a half hour flight in all plus about six or seven hours of waiting around in airports (thank God for the DaVinci Codes) and arrive back in New York at seven at night on the 25th. That's like, what, 50 hours of transit and five time zone changes in about a week.

They told me after the fact that I wasn't supposed to take pictures anywhere in the building at the Toyota Research and Development facilities... all sorts of experimental designs and gadgets everywhere... but I figured this picture of Yoshikazu going against his self-imposed ban on drinking and enjoying a glass of red in the dressing room after the performance.

People, Places and Things No. 85

The End of Satiation
- Matsuyama

At this bakery I immediately went back to my childhood.

My regular orders were Koppepan rolls, steamed rolls, and Amashoku rolls. "Koppe" (shortened nick name), my favorite was only 10 yen. If I had one more 10 yen coin, I could add butter or strawberry jam to make it gorgeous! Glossy Koppe with sweet aroma and a fresh croquette out of the oven were the kings of kids' snacks. Even though I eat exactly the same thing today, they don't taste as great as they used to be... It must be my sins of satiation.

Motofumi Yamaguchi
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January 21, 2006
©2006 Motofumi Yamaguchi

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 20 2006

I took a two and a half hour train ride from New York City to Albany to see a performance of the group Urban Tap at the Egg, a performing arts theater shaped like, well, an egg. Urban Tap is led by the great Tamango, a master tap dancer whose art has it's roots in his native French Guinea, in Paris where he grew up and in New York City where he has lived his adult life and where he continues to hone his art. Tamango has gathered around him a collective of top notch artists of disparate disciplines who share his love of tradition, spontaneity, improvisation and rhythm. Among these arts are traditional stilt dancing from the Ivory Coast, Capoeira from Brazil, tabla from India, Haitian percussion, and freestyle, break dancing and jazz from America.

Urban Tap is the group that, if all goes according to plan, will be coming over to Japan this summer to join Kodo at Earth Celebration.

How can I describe what I saw that evening? I had a small note pad out in order to jot down notes for any observations or ideas, but at the end of the show the page remained blank, my pen still capped. And it was not for lack of anything to write but because I was so mesmerized by what was happening onstage.

Tamango's dancing was confident, loose, and full of an endless variety of rhythmic and melodic variety. Bonga and his son Tiga provided the grooves and beats throughout the show with various percussion, singing and even didgeridoo. Belinda showed grace and power with her freestyle dance, mixing elements of Afro Cuban, Afro Brazilian, Afro Caribbean, and, as she put it during a Q&A session after the show, "some club moves". ANd when Vado, the stilt dancer from West Africa appeared, it was simply impossible to take your eyes off of him.

Stilt dancing in the Ivory Coast is a very sacred ritual and Vado comes from a long line of stilt dancers or a long line of "masks" as he put it. The one who wears the costume and has the stilts affixed to the bottom of his feet is no longer a man but a spirit who watches over the village from his great height and protects his people from evil. The dance however is playful and joyous. The movements at once awkward and full of startling grace and beauty.

My parents where in the Boston area visiting my brother and decided to drive down to Albany to join me. My mother laughed and applauded in delight throughout the entire show.

Afterwards, I invited Tamango for a drink at the hotel bar (we happened to be staying in the same hotel). We talked for a couple of hours about music, culture, art, dance, the world, life. At one point he went to use the restroom. While I waited, I sat there staring at a basketball game on the television. A few minutes later, coming up behind me was the sound of the most resonant and lyrical footsteps I've ever heard. I didn't have to turn to know who it was.

People, Places and Things no. 84

Under the sod (Kusaba no kage)
- Sado

In Japan we have serious illegal waste problems and of course Sado is not an exception. These cars must had gone through beautiful golden rice fields and stormy coastal roads and crossed many muddy ridges on this island. They must had been a great part of their family. Alas... their glitter has shaded and they are quietly waiting for the day to be a part of the earth now...

Amen!

Motofumi Yamaguchi
translated by Chie
January 18, 2006
©2006 Motofumi Yamaguchi

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 16 2006

Since everybody goes to their respective hometowns for the actual New Years, Kodo's New Year's party is always about a week or two after the actual date. This year's was a couple days ago and, as usual, those players, staff and apprentices so inspired, came up with little skits and dance routines for the amusement and embarrassment of everyone. This year's performances included a human marionette song and dance routine, the apprentices doing some sort of bizarre tumbling routine, and Chieko san leading the probationary members through a cheerleading number which had the guys dressed in drag and the girls wearing high school uniforms.

Among all the revelry, Akimoto and I decided to contribute a different mood to the evening and performed a flute and guitar rendition of Stevie Wonder's Summer Soft from the great Songs in the Key of Life album, done with an intimate Bossa Nova feel. It was very effective if I do say so myself, almost magical- The eighty or so people watching in various degrees of inebriation, listened attentively and with the utmost silence. Even the children stopped running around and hollering.

Akimoto was a little nervous beforehand due to the deceptively complex chord changes and modulations that he had to maneuver on guitar, but that night he played flawlessly. After the melody and a short flute improvisation, we were bringing the piece to a nice quiet close. In the tensioned filled pause we held right before going into the final chord however, Masaru's little three year old son, Shun, sitting in the front row, dropped a small drum he was carrying directly on the wooden platform on which Akimoto and I were playing.

The timing couldn't have been any better/worse. The banging and subsequent rolling followed by the harried attempts to stop and pick up the drum by Shun's mother managed to break the spell the piece seemed put over the room. Akimoto figured it would be pointless to end the piece quietly as we had planned and proceeded to rock out on his acoustic guitar. I followed suit and began to play my best Albert Ayler impersonation- frantic free jazz wailing on the flute. The crowd was laughing and applauding and among all the headbanging commotion, I managed to connect my forehead to Akimoto's guitar and began to bleed from the big knot that grew from the impact.

The crowd laughed and applauded even more. Among the ten or so people that rushed forward at the sight of blood, two or three brought tissues, ice and a band aid, but the other seven or eight people brought their cell phone cameras. Everybody was finding enormous amusement in my suffering. Ah, the life of an artist.

Afterwards many people came up and complemented me on the performance- not with phrases like "The sound of your flute was so beautiful" but more like "You looked so cool when the blood was trickling down your forehead". Eichi was the worst however. He kept shouting for an encore performance.

Kaoru Watanabe Jan 13 2006

For those of you who have not been following the posting here in the Kodo weblog, I have made a deal with a certain Marie, saying that I must write a Weblog entry at least once a week or I pay fifty dollars to the Miyake Fund while if I do write my entry, she will put some money into the fund. I am very into this deal- I went to Miyake as a probationary member of Kodo about six years ago, the year before the volcano erupted.

Tsumura san is the leading practitioner of Miyake Kamitsuki Kiyari Daiko were we have gone to study for the last twenty some years. Tsumura is a very powerful drummer who takes deep pride in the culture and traditions of his island. This is how training with him went: the five of us would play Miyake for about fifteen or twenty minutes. For those of you who haven't seen Miyake, it is a very physically demanding piece, requiring great flexibility and strength. Tsumura san would eventually stop us, give us a few pointers about form or hitting technique, then remark about how amazing our strength and stamina was- how only Kodo members could keep up this level of concentration and intensity. Then without missing a beat he would say "okay let's give it another round." then we would play for another fifteen or twenty minutes. This cycle continued for about four days straight, morning, noon and night. Every night, we would all go back to his Ryokan, take a hot bath and collapse into our futons to rest up for the next day.

Tsumura san has been living in Tokyo for the past five years or so, still teaching the Miyake style of drumming and waiting anxiously for the day when he can return to his beloved Miyake Island. One of his sons, also a talented drummer, has recently just finished his two years as a Kodo apprentice. He decided, unfortunately for us, that instead of joining Kodo, he wanted to go back to drumming with his family (his two brothers are also drummers).

Long story short, I would love to support the Miyake fund- especially if it is not out of my own pocket!! Haha. So here's my first entry. I leave for New York soon so I will definitely have something to write about...

People, Places and Things No.83

Getting What I Pay For
(Essa sea route)

There is a car ferry that we always rely upon to transport us back and forth between Niigata and Sado. A standard one way ticket costs two thousand and sixty yen. I'm not sure if this is expensive or cheap but I would think that the usage of life jackets and lifeboats are included in the price of a ticket. It would be a glorious day if even for just once, I don a life jacket and take one of those lifeboats out to sea.

A friend once commented "It would be so much more interesting if the mannequin wore on it's head an Okesa kasa (a straw hat worn in a traditional Sado dance) and the emergency life boats replaced by the tarai bune (traditional Sado tub boats)."

That such a comment was made by a person who cried while watching "Titanic" is simply beyond me.

Motofumi Yamaguchi
translated by Kaoru Watanabe
January 11th 2006
©2006 Motofumi Yamaguchi

Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year to all!
This is Takuro, Kodo Weblog Manager.

It has been almost a year since we started this blog on January 27, 2005. With your generous support, we could have a successful starting year in 2005. We posted 500 journals and had over 180,000 accesses to our blog! Thank you very much.

• Now we would like to celebrate a new year with a little lottery.
• Please click "comments" and let us know your feedback and ideas about Kodo Weblog.
• Among those who send us such comments, we will choose two winners by lot. The winner will receive a hand-drawn sign from Kodo's dressing room. The signs were drawn by either Mitsuru Ishizuka or Tsubasa Hori. We will also decide which sign goes to which winner by lot. Well... it is just a piece of paper, but I hope you will be interested in...
• The draw will be made on January 9, 2006. We will announce the winner on this weblog. If you are the winner, please e-mail us your mailing address.
• Oversea residents are also welcome to join this lottery!

Here is the signs!

We are looking forward to your comments. Thank you very much for your continuous support to Kodo Weblog in 2006!

Sincerely,
Takuro Susaki
Kodo Weblog Manager

Eiichi Saito Dec 16, 2005

So much snow these days! I love it!
I would rather be on Sado and enjoy my favorite season there.

This picture was taken at a special Christmas performance in Ginza, Tokyo on December 12 presented by Tokyo Metro, Co., Ltd. We performed six pieces including Hayate, Chonlima, Hana-Hachijo, Ichigeki, Yamauta, Yatai-Bayashi. It was about 50 minute long including my talk.
Having so many audiences so close, of course I got excited! Thank you so much for coming to see us.

Kaoru Watanabe Nov 8 2005

In the world of Okinawa Buyo (classical dance), there is no one with the esteem or prestige of Sato Takako here in city of Naha. The history of Kodo's relationship with Sato sensei goes back about twenty years when Kodo- still unknown to most of the world and not yet able to properly afford a decent hotel- visited Okinawa. Sato sensei and her husband Yamauchi san offered Kodo to stay in their house- many players slept on the floor of her beautiful hardwood practice hall. Since then Sato sensei has visited Kodo in Sado to teach some of the basics of Okinawa buyo and has always been a gracious host when we visit Okinawa, something we do not nearly as frequently as we would like. Sato's sensei's influence is also strongly felt when Kodo's apprentices every year learn one of her dances, Boreboshi, from one of her most distinguished pupils Mitsue san who now lives in Sado (having married Kodo's stage director Masafumi- she also now performs with the trio group Hanayui with Chieko san and Yoko san).

On the 5th and 6th, for the first time in the long history between Sato sensei and Kodo, we have performed together on stage in a concert titled Shima Musubi. "Shima" meaning "island", and "musubi" meaning "a tie or knot", or in this case a connection or bond, referring to of course, Okinawa and Sado.

I had the honor of playing a fue accompaniment to one of Sato sensei's dances, sitting along side a distinguished sanshin (Okinawan shamisen) teacher Higa sensei. Each of Sato sensei's graceful and nuanced movements and gestures were full of meaning- the circles she traced on the ground symbolizing the bond between Okinawa and Sado and the silken cloth she danced with at times stretched out like a bridge between the two islands.

I felt each of Sensei's movements carried the weight of Okinawa's painful history- culminating with the decimation of much of their civilian population during WWII- each gesture seemingly a part of some grand prayer. However, her movements also carried the lightness and playful joy that all Okinawan people seem to have in their hearts- it seems like every single Okinwan I have met loves to share in other people's company and to express that love through song, dance and drink.

Kaoru Watanabe Oct 13 2005

Performed again at the Cave. Wish I had taken my camera to show everyone. When the audience walked into the main gallery, they found themselves amongst musicians scattered about the room. A cellist here, a bassist there, a guitarist sitting on a chair, a clarinetist standing on a box in the corner, all dressed in white. There were about seven Butoh dancers, all dressed in white as well. Four were standing on small individual platforms built again a wall, a few feet above everyone's head, leaning forward from their perches, held from falling by elastic material tied against their abdomens. The three dancers on large boxes on the floor were similarly connected to the wall via the white elastic material, this time however wrapped around their faces, thus obscuring their identities and expressions. Quite a striking impression. For the next half an hour or so, the "sound painting orchestra" and dancers demonstrated incredible communication and continuity with their abstracted movements and melodies. Next, two more dancers improvised to a video projection focused directly on the dancers body. Finally it was my turn, playing fue with a remarkable Japanese percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani and accompanying the improvisation of five Butoh dancers in the middle of the room. Tatsuya produced every sound imaginable from his drums and cymbals, without ever really using them in a conventional manner. Bells and gongs were dropping on the floor as a result of his enthusiasm and polite members of the audience would pick them up and place them at his feet.

I played different fue but found the Noh Kan the most suitable to the dancing and percussion. Although the stuff I played on the shinobue was hardly melodic in the conventional sense of the word, just the fact that at one point I was playing a succession of notes made it sound almost out of place in relationship to what was going on around me. It was a challenge to come up with new sounds and melodies but it was tons of fun.

I think a strong musical connection occurred that evening and both the audience and the performance seemed happy about the outcome. I think there was something in the concert for everyone... interesting music, dancing, lighting, atmostphere. Afterwards, a man approached Tatsuya and I, as we, drenched in happy sweat, were chatting. He thanked us for the great performance, apologized for asking such a superfluous question and then asked me where I bought my shoes.