Two Kodo drummers beat on the O-daiko drum, a 4-foot drum carved from a single tree. (Photo courtesy of Kimmel Center)
The hefty Japanese drums rested on stands on the stage, as the audience packed full the floor seats and all three balconies surrounding the stage. With no delays, Kodo, a group of traditional Japanese drummers stormed the stage and filled the hall with roaring primal vibrant vibes, encouraging each other with enthusiastic smiles and shouts.
Every year, Kodo, which translates from Japanese as “heartbeat” or “children of the drum,” leave their living-community in Sado Island of Japan and perform around the world as a part of their “One Earth” tours. On March 17, the group brought their skill and passion for drumming to the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
The traditional Japanese drum, or “taiko,” comes in different sizes and varies in depths of sound. It is said that the sound of the “O-daiko,” a drum 4-feet in diameter that is carved from a single tree, has a soothing effect that resembles the sound of a mother’s heartbeat as heard by her unborn child in the womb.
With magnificent punctuality, ensembles of drummers performed unique compositions with a different variety of portable and staged drums while other members prepared the stage for following segments, creating a continuous mesmerizing beat.
Each segment presented a fantastically coordinated dialogue between the drummers and a carefully crafted elegant chorography that demanded physical strength, discipline and zeal.
Showing exquisite control over their instruments, the drummers incorporated the sound of the instruments’ wooden sides and even the sound of the drumsticks clunking against each other. Some compositions also incorporated flutes, traditional Japanese violin, and vocals.
“Monochrome” featured seven drummers who set in a row, each with a “shime-daiko,” a 1-foot diameter roped drum. Tapping on the drums together with interchanging strength and rhythms, the ensemble animated the changing of the seasons from drizzling rain through a hailstorm and onto gentle dew drops.
“Jang-Gwara,” another unique composition that was dedicated solely to metal cymbals, opened with two musicians prancing on the stage while clapping their cymbals. As the two were joined by three others who were also equipped with cymbals, all sat down and captivated the audience with a wide range of sounds and rhythms they produced with these simple instruments.
Spicing the show with a dash of humor, one of the segments featured three drummers in a comic choreography, which was rewarded by the audience with cheers and outbursts of laughter.
A thrilling cultural experience, Kodo’s dynamic pulsing on the ancient drums carried a message of community and co-existence, individuality and cooperation.
For more information visit www.kodo.or.jp
