Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabe

Kodo has perfected centuries-old taiko drumming techniques over its nearly 50-year history. Their name means both “heartbeat,” and “children of the drum.” And, indeed, a Kodo concert taps into our primal need for rhythm. You’ll never forget their precision, endurance, and strength. 

Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art form. Since the group’s debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo has given over 3700 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan, and a third rehearsing and preparing new material on Sado Island.

In Japanese the word “Kodo” conveys two meanings: Firstly, “heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother’s heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations. Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean “children of the drum,” a reflection of Kodo’s desire to play the drums simply, with the heart of a child.

Event Sponsor: Spinning Plates Group (Sazon and Sassella)