Although the main focus of the performance is taiko drumming, other traditional Japanese musical instruments such as fue and shamisen make an appearance on stage as do traditional dance and vocal performance. Kodō's performance include pieces based on the traditional rhythms of regional Japan, pieces composed for Kodō by contemporary songwriters, and pieces written by Kodō members themselves. The numbers that Kodō performs can change from concert to concert. Kodō's performance normally lasts about one hour and forty minutes.
In Japanese the word "Kodō" conveys two meanings: "heartbeat" the primal source of all rhythm and, read in a different way, the word can mean "children of the drum," a reflection of Kodō's desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child.
Kodō strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts. From worldwide tours and research trips, Kodō brings back to Sado world music and experiences which now exert a strong influence on the group's performances and compositions. They also collaborate with other artists and composers.
Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodō have given over 2800 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island.
Irodori
鼓童 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
いくつもの夢を包んで願いこめた
あの日見た暖かな景色を
この先も２人で見つめていたい
見えない不安 曇る心
さりげない優しさで
今大きく輝く
あの光をつかみに行こう
たくさんの希望をのせて
繋がるこの手のひらから
広がってく ありがとうの輪
走り出した小さな夢
見守っていてね
寄り道や回り道も
新しい色の未来へ続いているんだ
穏やかに寄り添う幸せは
すぐ側にあるほど 気づけないの
「またあした」と 言えなくても
いつまでも 変わらずに
ずっと結ばわている心
何よりも大事な場所
守り続けたい
くじけそうになる時も
きっと２人なら...
ほらあの空めざして
風にのって駆け抜けよう
加速する希望を胸に
ひとつの 優しい言葉で
染まっていく ありがとうの輪
鳴り止まないこのときめき
届けに行くよ
届けに行くよ
見守っていてね
The lyrics to 鼓童's song Irodori paint a picture of hope, love, and support in the midsts of uncertainty and change. The first verse describes that feeling of being comforted by someone's touch and how it can provide a safe haven for one's dreams and wishes. The singer also wishes to continue sharing the warmth and happiness they felt on days they shared with their loved one while looking ahead to the future. The second verse acknowledges the existence of invisible anxieties and cloudy states of mind but highlights the power of a reassuring smile and unexpected kindness to help reassure and encourage growth. The chorus is a call to action to reach for the shining light of hope despite obstacles, and to create a web of gratitude and connection with those held dear, as small dreams become bigger ones that can be supported and celebrated amidst a community of trust. The final verse describes living life to the fullest, embracing new experiences and weaving them into the tapestry of one's future. It highlights the importance of holding one's loved ones close and cherishing a connection that can weather the storms of life together. The song rounds out with a promise to seek out and deliver one's dreams and ambitions, with a final reminder to hold fast to love and look out for one another.
Line by Line Meaning
柔らかな手のぬくもり
The warm touch of a gentle hand.
いくつもの夢を包んで願いこめた
Filled with many dreams, and a wish to see them come true.
あの日見た暖かな景色を
Reminiscing about the beautiful landscape seen on that day.
この先も２人で見つめていたい
Longing to continue gazing at the scenery with that special someone.
見えない不安 曇る心
A heart filled with uncertainties and worries.
さりげない優しさで
Through simple and subtle acts of kindness,
背中押してくれた笑顔
A bright smile that gave encouragement.
今大きく輝く
Now shining brightly,
あの光をつかみに行こう
Let's reach for that light together.
たくさんの希望をのせて
Bringing along many hopes and dreams,
繋がるこの手のひらから
Connected through our joined hands,
広がってく ありがとうの輪
A growing circle of appreciation and gratitude.
走り出した小さな夢
A small dream that has just taken off.
見守っていてね
Please watch over it with care.
寄り道や回り道も
Even if we take detours and wander,
新しい色の未来へ続いているんだ
The path leads to a future painted with new colors.
穏やかに寄り添う幸せは
Happiness that gently nestles next to us
すぐ側にあるほど 気づけないの
Is sometimes unnoticed because it's so close by.
「またあした」と 言えなくても
Even if we can't say "see you tomorrow",
いつまでも 変わらずに
Our hearts will remain unchanged
ずっと結ばわている心
With our hearts intertwining forever.
何よりも大事な場所
The most important place of all.
守り続けたい
A place we want to protect forever.
くじけそうになる時も
Even if we feel like giving up,
きっと２人なら...
As long as we're together...
ほらあの空めざして
Look, let's aim for that sky up there,
風にのって駆け抜けよう
And ride the wind as we race forward.
加速する希望を胸に
With hopes that only grow stronger,
ひとつの 優しい言葉で
Using one gentle word,
染まっていく ありがとうの輪
A circle of gratitude that spreads and envelops us.
鳴り止まないこのときめき
This unceasing excitement and joy,
届けに行くよ
We'll go deliver it now,
届けに行くよ
We'll go deliver it now,
見守っていてね
Please watch over us.
Writer(s): Leonard Eto
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-en6dt6ws7e
一人の、太鼓うちの端くれとして、絶対に避けては通れない曲。っていうか、日本で、太鼓やってて、『彩』を目標にしないヤツなんているのか？
ぶっちゃけ、この仲間に入りたいと何度思ったことか。
レナード衛藤さんと、金子竜太郎さんと、斎藤栄一さんと同じ空間で叩いてみたい…
1992年の鼓童に、いつまで経っても追い付けない悔しさと幸せ。ありえない感情が同居してます。
ちきしょう。何度聞いてもワクワクしやがる。
@nyautantan
初めてこれを見たのが17年前？！
全く飽きない、素敵すぎる！
@tony_woo
Still sound so good after so many years.
@user-kq8yi7jd9t
この時の鼓童は良い意味で
荒さとかがあってクセになる
この時が鼓童全盛期だと思う
@mia6385
彩…この曲が大好きでたまりません！
20年ほど前に職場の方に誘われてコンサートに行きました。腹に響きわたる音が未だ忘れられない！何度聞いてもあきません。
そんな私も思わぬ事をきっかけに今、お囃子に参加してます！しかも、こどもの学校の太鼓部で彩を演奏してます。感動の嵐です💖
@mahokawasaki74
やるのも楽しいけどやっぱり鼓童の演奏は素晴らしいです！
鳥肌がたつものばかり！！
何回も聴いてしまうー！
@rhboomer
I was able to see Kodo when I was very young, and to this day it was one of the best shows that I have ever seen.
@user-hs8lf2yo6p
聴いててとても気持ちいい最高だ。演奏者もすごい楽しんでいるのが分かる。こんなにのりにのって演奏してみたい。
@tgrunau
I saw them in person in Denver about 12 years ago. The power of the drums is something you have to experience live to really appreciate.
@kamechan7081
単純なリフレインに高揚を感じる、とてもいい楽曲だと思います。