photo : Susumu Yoshida
Born in 1950 in the small mountain farming village of Wachi, near Kyoto, Yoshikazu, whom you might recognize as the main Odaiko player of Kodo, was first introduced to taiko as a small child by his father who was a keen amateur. When Yoshikazu graduated from High School he wrote in answer to the question 'What would you do if you had a million dollars?', 'I would buy a taiko and play it around the world.' As no one seriously thought of making a living as a taiko player in those days he apprenticed in Osaka as a cook.
The antecedent of the group that was to become Kodo formed in 1971 on Sado Island. In early 1972 he heard about the group and went to investigate. Impressed with these young people actually living his dream, and with the professionalism of the atmosphere which was quite unlike the casual nature of the taiko he knew, he joined that fall. Following are excerpts from his conversation with Kodo Beat.
'When I was young I used to play the Odaiko full tilt, using only power, and as if before a sporting event, I would do all kinds of warm up excercises. Now I warm up as I play, approaching it in my natural physical state. I pace myself now, with more quiet phrases. When I feel myself tiring I pull back, and when I feel the power recharge within me I 'turn it up' again. I follow my body not my head. I am happiest when I get inside the drum. On those occassions (usually when I'm tired or not well) when I can't enter inside, it feels as if someone else is playing and I must simply struggle to the end. I don't 'think' when playing the taiko.'
'I try to imagine how in the old days on rare and important occasions the taiko was beaten as Prayer Drums, Drums of Thanks, or Drums of Joy. A powerful message was being sent, overflowing with the drummer's feeling. It is music but not music, to be played with one's whole body. You can't play half heartedly, you must be intoxicated with the drum.'
'When not playing I enjoy nothing better then getting together and raising a glass with friends. I can usually be counted on to break into song.'
'We play 120 concerts a year and I've been here over 20 years. How many performances is that?'
'I look forward to loading my taiko into our car and travelling with my wife Yoko (a Kodo member who sings, dances and plays the koto) to tiny places around the country too small to accomodate Kodo.'
'One of the junior members of Kodo is the son of one of my classmates from Wachi. It gives me great pleasure to see the circle turn.'
When asked what hardships he had endured Yoshikazu looked embarrassed at being unable to supply an example. After quite a pause he unleashed his disarming smile and said, 'You know I really am very happy.'
