Kodō Drummers

Kodo's first original video performance, recorded at Ryotsu Shimin Kaikan on Sado Island, Japan. Tracklist 1. Zoku 2. Lion 3. Yamauta / O-Daiko 4. Irodori

This live Video is a recording of the powerful stage finale of "Kodo 30th Anniversary One Earth Tour 2011," held at Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre in December 2011 after an extensive nationwide tour throughout Japan.

In “Cycles,” Kodo endeavors to capture the feeling of extensive natural cycles, using rhythmic sequences to conjure soul-stirring resonance and infinite supernatural realms. This ambitious, innovative work features all new compositions. Cycles explores the ever-changing rhythms of the natural world. The rising and setting of the sun. The rise and fall of the tides. The waxing and waning of the moon. To do this, Kodo challenged itself with a new approach: composing music based on spatial and mathematical concepts. The performers' souls resonate within these intriguing soundscapes, producing reverberations like never before. Featured Programme: Cycles Ten-Ten, Games Solo, Trio n Lagrange Point Gyoei 5:30 (Encore)

Jean grew up in a community under the influence of a guru named Chris. Years after escaping its grip, he receives a mysterious package. Chris has just died and Jean's sister who has lived all this time reclusive by his side sends him recordings. In these mysterious sound and visual archives, Jean rediscovers voices and sounds emerging from the past. On the tapes, interviews between members of his family and Chris. The memories start to come back : Jean decides to follow in the footsteps of the missing guru to try and decipher his family history.

A new musical video film by Tamasaburō Bandō. Kodō has been exploring the limitless possiblities of the traditional Japanese drum.

Legend marked a departure for Kodo into new creative territory under the direction of visionary artistic director Tamasaburo Bando. After touring throughout Japan, Legend was further honed on its U.S. tour, visiting 25 cities from Las Vegas to New York. The stage finale in Asakusa was broadcast live online and the footage from that concert has been newly arranged for this special Legend DVD.

Live action documentary footage of a concert by the Kodo drummers of Japan at the Acropolis, Greece, in 1995, with commentary by members of the drum group concerning the concert and the drum troupe

Kodo—the Japanese word for heartbeat—is the name of a group of musicians and dancers whose exhilarating performances of traditional and contemporary Japanese drumming has captivated audiences worldwide since its 1981 debut in Berlin. Produced and directed by filmmaker Jacques Holender, this is the original 1983 KODO documentary, which explores their commitment to a unique aesthetic and collective ideal. Filmed on location in Japan at their communal home on Sado Island, and in Tokyo. Soon after this documentary was filmed in January 1984, the young performers of Kodo set out on a new journey under the banner of “One Earth Tour.” By taking the sound of taiko to all corners of the globe, Kodo hoped their music and message would resonate with myriad cultures and ways of life, reminding people of our common bonds as human beings. In 2024, this film was digitized and made available for distribution to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Kodo’s ongoing “One Earth Tour."