Emily in Sado (Part 3)
Reflection of Earth Celebration + Ogi Matsuri
*Disclaimer: I am a native English speaker purely speaking about my own experiences. I’m excited that this substack has made international reach, but sometimes I use strange words and phrases. If you are reading this through AI translation, some ideas, words, and nuances may not be correct in your language. Please ask if you have any questions.
*If you click on the photos directly on the substack website, you can see full photos.
This is in continuation of this post and this post, serving as a final geek-out session about Sado Island and Kodo. I think it’s critical to acknowledge that because of friends and connections, Diana, Kristen, and I experienced rare opportunities on the island, such as being being surrounded by the Kodo apprentices dancing onikenbai and chanting during a practice led by Yoshikazu Fujimoto, to eventually having lunch with them and watching them perform. None of this was pre-planned by us before going to Sado, and it was by chance, but most importantly, through the help of generous people.
Actually prior to Ogi Matsuri, some Naruwan and Ho Etsu members extended their stay, and we were fortunate enough to have various meals with Kodo friends at local restaurants, getting a tour of the private Kodo apprentice center, partook in tourist activities such as the Sado gold mine with Kodo friends as our tour guides, and even had dinner with the former apprentices that Diana befriended during her KASA/ MIX and ROK time.
New acronyms! What are those!
KASA/ MIX was a week-long taiko experience for people from abroad that began at Asano Taiko in Kanazawa (not Sado) and eventually led to the Kodo Apprentice Center, all in a warm, friendly atmosphere. The program included different workshops led by Kodo members, participating in apprentice routines like running, cooking, and cleaning, but most importantly getting to talk with the apprentices despite the language barriers. Read this, written by Yui Kamiya!
Throughout Ogi Matsuri, Diana would often say to Kristen and myself: “This is like your KASA/ MIX. You get to see a glimpse of their life, but you’re also become friends with the apprentices and members.” You can’t help but want to root for every apprentice after seeing the dedication and effort they put into their 2 years. It’s not enough to say that the apprentices, members, and staff are inspiring. Because of each individual’s work ethic, devotion, and care, the outcome on stage or on a street in Ogi is tremendous. Kodo has moved me to tears and helped me contemplate life. Dramatic, yes, but true and I’m sure this is not unique to me.
Although taiko is not a living thing, it represents the voices of history, people that play it today, and the place it exists in, and I think it’s critical to be in the present moment to understand what this means. Fighting the desire to ask “why” and “how,” but rather, learning through existing and observation helped me get just a small, yet deeper understanding of the sounds of Sado that inspires Kodo’s music. Don’t get me wrong, I love asking questions, but the ability to exist deeply in the presence I find is critical for the taiko I want to share and be a part of, yet I also fear I might forget this.
ROK (Roots of Kodo) was a 10 day long intense immersion that was run in English created by former Kodo member Eri Uchida. Participants engaged in what she defined as the roots of being part of Kodo. Please read more here, and although this wasn’t similar to what we did, the positive influence it had on Diana is palpable, and I hope it returns because dagnabbit I want to participate.
HOWEVER, both ROK and KASA/ MIX have been on hiatus since 2018, so perhaps this is my plea to Kodo to bring it back. I can attest to the impact it has had on me, and even on the apprentices of Kodo. Yeah, I said it. I think the 3 stoked Americans brought smiles to the young apprentices’ faces, challenged them to find ways to communicate despite language barriers, and allowed them to meet people with different backgrounds which hopefully amplifies their energy to spread taiko and geinoh throughout the world.
I recognize my privilege to study taiko in Japan, and I often hear from others that they wish to do something similar, but can’t do it for the same length. Depending on your level of dedication, things like KASA/ MIX and ROK are the gateway for getting immersed in a condensed time. It brings you to a deeper level of what taiko is for Japan, for you, and for the community you create or belong to. Obviously you should reach out to a specific dojo or sensei if that is your particular desire, in example, I am studying with Kaoly san, not Kodo, so my accumulated experience in Japan is unique, but the short time on Sado has impacted my dedication even if it’s with a different group.
Oh, and food! Finally! If you don’t like taiko, just come to Sado for the food. Also, if you don’t like taiko, why are you reading this blog? (jokes).
Island fish. Island seafood. Island ice cream. I want. I can’t. I cry. GAH!
Thank you Naruwan for letting me use some of your photos. And as my students say, that’s it!
Love this Emily! 💕