Kodo
At Meany Theater
By Dan Larsen, for SeattleInsider.com
Originally published by Cox Interactive Media

The sound of your own mortality throbbing within you; blood coursing through every inch of your body, rushing to your head as a solid wall of motion, pounding on your ears with a crescendo of perfect precision. That is the sound of Kodo. A sound so encompassing, resonant and exact in its direction that you can do nothing but let it permeate every permeable part of you and your surroundings. It's truly one of the acts to experience in a lifetime and one that few words can be used to describe.

Formed in 1981 on Sado Island in the Sea of Japan, Kodo (meaning "heartbeat" or "children of the drum") was founded by a community pursuing the study of Taiko, the traditional Japanese drum. They not only seek to preserve the sanctity of their culture's past, but to perpetuate it in new directions with the integration of other musical influences and art forms.

With its ongoing "One World Tour," Kodo has proven itself, with emphasis on cultural exchange through joint-performances, festivals and workshops, to be an act of global appeal and success. Since its formation, Kodo has given more than 2000 performances in 37 countries and on every continent.

When Kodo's performance reaches its climax, with O-daiko Drummer Yoshikazu Fujimoto pouring every possible ounce of energy into beating an all-absorbing tidal wave of sound from a 1,000 lb drum, one really comes to understand how rarely the opportunity to experience an act as incredibly powerful and unique as Kodo comes along ... and you begin to long for the next chance to see them again.

Kodo is giving only five performances at Meany Hall, so don't miss the opportunity.

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