Life of a Japanese Drummer | The KODŌ Story ★ ONLY in JAPAN

Being a professional drummer or performer is the dream of so many people around the world but for members of Kodo (鼓童), it's a reality. Their career is Taiko Drumming as a performance art, on tour around the world. When they're at home on Sado Island, they're practicing which is more like living and working. Kodo is not just a place to learn Taiko drums. It's not just a school. It's a place where you learn life's most important lessons, build a connection with nature and become someone greater than before - a leader - which is part of their grueling 2-year apprentice program.
The dream of making the taiko drum a career is real for the group of dreamers who formed Kodo in 1981.

This is the story of Kodo and the journey of their lives in the pursuit of the perfect beat.

00:00 Start
00:46 Where is Sado Island?
01:59 Morning Prep at Kodo Village
04:30 Pre-Tour Practice at Kodo’s Rehearsal Space
06:50 History of the Kodo group
11:05 Why become a Taiko Drummer?
15:01 Earth Celebration Venue & Street Food
15:57 EVENT START
17:29 O-Daiko Large Drum Performances
21:17 Sitting Taiko Drum Style
21:59 Japanese Flute & Finale

🗺 Where is Sado Island? The event takes place here at Ogi Minato (Port).

⚠︎ Filmed in August 2019 and January 2020.

Get tickets in advance, on sale starting in April.

◉ Media Inquiries & Questions:

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John Daub has been a reporter for NHK World TV since 2008 and a YouTube creator & producer of the ONLY in JAPAN ® series building a community of over 1.6M. Thanks for watching!
#onlyinjapan #Japan

[cristinesatolamontagne]

From a former apprentice (2006-2007, 25th class), thank you so much for making this video! When I lived on Sado, I didn't have access to a camera, phone, internet, etc. so a video like this is so meaningful to me. Kodo truly is a magnificent village of artists who live a unique and treasured way of life, and Earth Celebration is beyond magical in so many ways. I am excited to share this video.

[thecheekychinaman]

You can definitely sense how John's work is shifting from a subjective travel vlog approach into a more objective, documentary style. Loving it, he wasn't kidding when he said this new channel was going to bring it!

Off topic John, how do you brainstorm your ideas, and how many ideas get left on the cutting board?

[TokyoLlama]

Fantastic video, John. Definitely keen to go to earth celebration and see Kodo in person.

[Kealiile]

I was just watching “cobra kai” on netflix and couldnt get over how much daniel looked like john! “ karate kid”

[sp]

Very well put together. Keep up the fantastic work John!!!

[NocturnEternal]

The first time I learned of Kodo was 1998 when one of my favorite thrash metal bands, Sepultura, collaborated with them for their album “Against”. I’m just amazed at what I have learned about them. Please listen to “Kamaitachi” by Sepultura. It’s instrumental and frankly, no vocals were really needed for that track.

Thank you John. This was worth being woken up for.

[stationplaza]

They are the very definition of physical as well as mental fitness.

[marilynhaverly]

I just saw Kodo in Chicago yesterday and absolutely loved it. Now knowing about the training and lifestyle I appreciate the performance even more! Thank you.

[czarodzi]

The degree of discipline of the members is amazing! Thanks for the opportunity to see them behind the scenes.

[matthiasbutz]

They really dedicate themselves to their art, amazing skills!

[CaiqueBrite]

"amazing" isn't describing the quality and emotion of your videos anymore, John. I need to learn a new hyper amazing word for them.

[JoeSmalltaiko]

​ @ONLY in JAPAN * John Daub
(this was tucked away as a comment reply, but it was suggested I just put this as a comment)

Dropping in (Hi Crissy!)...
Hello, I was in the cohort a year after Cristine's (I'm 26th class, 2007-2009).

This really was a nice trip down memory lane as I haven't been back to Sado since EC2010. Fantastic, excellent work, ​

Over the years there have been a few non-Japanese nationals to go through the apprentice center, and I'm humbled and privileged to be one of them as well. Even though it really wasn't that long ago, it feels removed as faces change and Kodo continues to evolve while retaining its artistic core and values.

The apprentice center, which isn't shown in this documentary, has at certain points over time been featured in various short documentaries here and there, both in Japanese and English, so you can probably find some stuff there floating on youtube. What Chieko-san and Leo-san and Chie-san mention about absolutely applies.

@vbart1776
As an apprentice, you wouldn't be allowed a family life, nor would it really be possible, as the approximately two year apprenticeship is all-encompassing. It's rooted in communal living of one's apprentice cohort. The primary purpose is to develop an individual as part of an apprentice cohort from which some of the individuals would become (or at least be considered) for members or staff. So, on top of no romantic relationships, there's no smoking or drinking (except maybe under festival circumstances when it's offered), and exposure and use of media is really limited. But then again, apprentices recognize those rules for what they are and are generally not focused on such restrictions, since there's an overwhelming amount of things that require one's focus - and more importantly, they want to focus on those things.

As for Kodo members, some would be married and have families, although I imagine for newest members, their focus is on integrating and being part of the ensemble.

To say the apprentice experience is 'intense' doesn't really adequately explain it. And performing members of course could easily scoff and say, "You think that's intense...?"

So, there's ups and downs, and the challenges and difficulties are constant. You're mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted - and through all that you have to keep going and do more and dig within yourselves, often on a daily basis. You do and learn as many different things as possible, and in most cases the knowledge isn't spoon fed to you, either. Taiko (along with dance and singing) are central within that, but definitely not the only aspects of being there. It really is an extension of life.

So, although like most apprentices, I didn't become a member, the experiences there definitely have shaped, informed, and helped me as a person, and I am thankful for that.

Crissy - actually one of my fond memories is of receiving a bunch of stuff you left for me after I arrived, including a blue work jumpsuit that was several sizes too small. I held onto it as a backup, and one day I did end up needing it as my usual one got soaked in a storm. I had to run back and was hunting for something dry, and realized that was the only option. Somehow I squeezed into it, although it looked pretty hilarious...

[sometimeswegoplaces]

Beautiful story of discipline and music. They are the heart of Sado Island.

[shelleywebb]

I first heard about Kodo while I was in high school. My music teacher showed us a documentary in class that always stuck with me. I was lucky to have seem them perform live twice. Once in Toronto, Canada and once in London, Uk. Maybe one day I'll get to see them in Japan.

[markusmottus]

This needs to be more promoted because their way of life is something we all need in one way or another!
Thank you John for bringing this to us!🇯🇵❤

[k-lukawaii]

I love Taiko. Feeling the reverberations thru ur chest during a live performance is absolutely magical

[Peso]

They're so synchronized, you'd think their hearts beat at the same time. 🥁

[sellagoe]

I love how john include cinematic looks of the island 💯

[IPraisetheTrinity]

This is amazing!
I remember the first time I watched Only in Japan was only 3 years back. I was on a JAL plane going to the US and it kept me awake all 16 hours of my flight. I am glad I found this channel and until now I wait for every new episode. Thank you, John, for existing and sharing Japan to us.

[JustIzzan]

that older man having so much stamina and passion is really inspiring