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Kodo

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Kodo is a professional taiko ensemble that has its home on the island of Sado in Japan. The group came into being in 1981 from the members of Ondekoza, a taiko group from 1971. Ondekoza's leader Den Tagayasu left just before the changeover and kept the old name. The leading player Eitetsu Hayashi left shortly after the founding to go solo, but did devise the new name. Kodo means heartbeat, the primal source of all rhythm, and can also be read as children of the drum. Mothers told how the music rocked their children to sleep.

Music and breakthrough

The group made its debut in 1981 in the Berliner Philharmonie and in 1984 gave three sold-out concerts at the arts festival accompanying the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Later the members built a village on Sado and started the annual festival Earth Celebration. Each year Kodo spends about a third of its time giving concerts in Japan, a third abroad and a third resting and preparing on the island. Its records include Ubu-Suna, Blessing of the Earth and Mondo Head.

Influence

The large taiko drums, the o-daiko, form the core of the sound, supplemented by flutes, the shamisen, dance and song. The repertoire consists of regional folk rhythms, pieces by contemporary composers and the members' own work. The strict training, once with running twice a day, is part of the reputation. Kodo brought taiko to audiences outside Japan and is regarded as one of the best-known and most respected taiko groups in the world.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a piece for large taiko and notice how the drum can sound not only loud, but also soft and breathing, and how the players alternate with one another in the rhythms.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists