Wednesday, January 29, 1997
PERFORMANCE:
World renowned Kodo salutes the Taiko drum’s rhythmBy Kathleen
Rhames
Daily Bruin Contributor
In ancient Japan, the boundaries of a village were determined by
the furthest distance that one could hear the steady beat of a
Taiko drum. It was the cornerstone of the community and the
connection between families.
Today, the Taiko drum is a worldwide symbol, uniting people
through a musical celebration of rhythm and percussion.
Beginning Thursday, the UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
along with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center will
present Kodo, a Japanese percussion company featuring traditional
and contemporary Taiko drumming. Appropriately titled One Earth
Tour ’97, the Kodo drummers will perform at the Wiltern Theater
with the hope of educating and uniting audiences throughout their
24- city North American tour.
"We want people to feel the sound of the Taiko drum," says Kodo
company manager Takashi Akamine. "It has a unique power to embrace
people and it’s very direct. We like to think that when people hear
the beat of our drums they will remain our friends. It’s a way of
connecting people."
The company is rich in tradition, choosing the name Kodo because
it means "heartbeat" and "children of the drum." In ancient Japan,
the Taiko drum was said to resemble a mother’s heartbeat felt by
the child in her womb. The power of the drum to soothe and nurture
is apparent in each of the company’s performances.
"Occasionally I’ll see a little child who has fallen asleep
during our show," Akamine says. "Last night there was an infant in
the audience who was fast asleep during our most dynamic drumming
piece. Babies seem to find it comforting."
Adults seem to find it comforting as well. One Berkeley audience
member told Akamine that the music of Kodo encouraged her and gave
her the spirit to keep going despite a difficult period in her
life.
"Many people say that they feel refreshed by the music we play,"
Akamine says. "The Taiko seems to have this power."
Although heritage and culture are a prevalent part of Kodo’s
performances, the company has added contemporary elements that
reflect a break in tradition and a readiness for change. For the
first time since the onset of its tour, Kodo will feature four
female Taiko drummers as part of its ensemble. While women have
always had a role in Kodo, they were only allowed to dance in
accompaniment to male drummers. Tomorrow night’s performance will
feature women drumming and dancing on stage by themselves.
According to assistant company manager Nobuko Yamada, women give
the Taiko a uniquely different sound.
"Female drummers are able to make softer sounds than men,"
Yamada says. "There were some pieces that were thought would be too
difficult for the women physically, but I think that the ability is
the same."
Akamine agrees, saying, "It’s a change and a challenge that I
would like to see more of. There are more women in the company now
and many of them want to play Taiko. It’s important to understand
tradition but time and trends change and we like to bring those to
the stage. If we can challenge tradition then maybe we can open
some doors."
Since first appearing at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo has
toured Europe, the United States and Canada, playing to sellout
audiences at Carnegie Hall in New York City and London’s Sad Wells
Theater. Based on Sado Island in the Sea of Japan, the village of
Kodo is home to the company of the same name. Kodo’s performances
have sparked the interests of filmmakers as well and can be heard
in parts of Oliver Stone’s "JFK" and the 1995 film "The
Hunted."
Despite their success in drawing audiences from around the
world, the overall goal of the company is to bring people back to
the power and mystique of the Taiko drum.
"I like to see the difference in people before they see the show
and after," Akamine says. "They always look happier and brighter.
If we can make people feel good, then the honor is ours."
UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
Japan’s famous percussion company Kodo perform Thursday at the
Wiltern Theater.