Blog Posts

Miyake

Composer:Unknown - Traditional, adapted for the stage by KodoArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:This piece was first performed in the early years of the group, although the exact date of the premiere performance has been forgotten.Recording Title:10th Anniversary Concert DVD This drumming style, where the players swing back and...

Furusato no Uta

Composer:Hiroyuki KoinumaArrangement:Hiroyuki KoinumaPremiere Performance:January 25, 2003 McMaster University Convocation Hall This pensive shinobue duet was composed by the renowned shinobue and nohkan player Hiroyuki Koinuma. ...

Enya Totto

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 4, 2004 - North Bay Capitol CentreRecording Title:10th Anniversary Concert DVD This is a traditional fishermen’s song in which the main chorus ‘Enya Totto’ is chanted to coordinate the efforts of rowing the oars. ...

Autorickshaw Ride

Composer:Ganesh AnandanArrangement:Ganesh AnandanPremiere Performance:May 7, 2004 - MAI Montreal arts interculturels for Montreal Asian Heritage Month Festival A collaborative piece with GaPa (Ganesh Anandan and Patrick Graham) and Nagata Shachu ...

Gezan Bayashi

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:December 1, 1997 - Toronto Buddhist Church, CD release concertRecording Title:Stone Path CD At the time of the autumn equinox, the people of Aomori visit Iwaki Shrine at the foot of sacred Mt. Iwaki to worship. On the last day, they undertake...

Futten

Composer:Yoshikazu FujimotoArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:December 6, 1997 - Toronto Buddhist Church CD Release ConcertRecording Title:Stone Path CD Composed by Kodo’s Yoshikazu Fujimoto, this piece is based on the traditional, improvised way of drumming found in the Mikuni area, Fukui Prefecture. Futten literally means ‘boiling point’. An adaptation of...

Pearl Harbour Day

Date Composed:2018Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:Saturday, November 24, 2018 This composition is based on an original story by Rui Umezawa about the childhood of one Japanese boy growing up in the US in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour Day. The composition has two parts i) Anger ii) Hope. ...

Haiya

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:October 13, 2006 - Al Green Theatre Ushibuka Haiya Bushi is sailor’s drinking song and dance from Ushibuka, a famous natural seaport in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu in southern Japan. This warm and lively tune reflects both the climate of the region and...

The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

Date Composed:2018Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:Saturday, November 24, 2018 This composition is based on the often-told tale of Japanese legend of the great samurai warrior Tsukuhara Bokuden.  The composition has two parts i) The Battle  ii) Enlightenment.  Dance and choreography by Yuichiro Inoue. ...

Honjo Oiwake

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:April 18, 2007 - Arts Center, Lake Superior State University, MI Oiwake is a type of folksong that originated in the remote mountainous region of Shinshu in Japan. Over the years, travelling horse traders brought them to the northern areas where they...