Yoko Fujimoto, singer, staff

Born in Tokyo, when Yoko was in about grade three her music teacher gave her excellent marks for singing. And so began her first love, though she never considered turning professional. She had planned to become an elementary school teacher, but during university became immersed in playing the koto (Japanese harp) and decided to teach it instead. She then encountered Ondekoza (now Kodo) and after a few months working at the group's Tokyo office, in December of '76 came to Sado Island, joining as a performer. After three years of appearing as a koto player, singer and dancer, she left the stage and edited the monthly Japanese language newsletter 'Kodo' for the next 13 years.
In 1992 the call of performing beckoned once again and she has since been one of the 3 members of 'Hanayui' a women's musical and dance ensemble in which she sings and plays the koto.
Last year she toured Cuba with a number of taikoists and then made her second tour of North America with her husband, Kodo's principal O-daiko player, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, giving drum and singing workshops together with 40 minute mini concerts.
Yoko is especially interested in the subject of voice. She explains that there was voice before words. Now she is exploring its very nature. What is the warmth and power of voice; from where do they come? She senses these qualities most especially in the voices of native people. In 1994 she visited the Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and had a chance to hear Navaho Storyteller Tucsohn G. Smith. He wouldn't speak in his native tongue however, and Yoko was frustrated at being unable to break through what she felt to be a solid wall. He was protective of his language because, she gathered, he didn't want it abused as had so much else of his culture. Feeling disappointed and selfish Yoko went to the sacred site in Chaco Canyon that has long served as a focus for Native spiritual life, where messages are sought from the stars. She felt a power emanating from the place. Under the starlight Yoko was moved to sing, in her rich and haunting voice, a lullaby from Tsugaru, the northern district of Japan. On her final day at Chaco Mr. Smith asked her if she would like to hear Navaho. At last he sang and told stories in his native tongue; the wall between Yoko and the Storyteller came tumbling down. If you would like to hear their resulting collaboration check out their guest appearance on Hideaki Masago's CD, 'Chaco Journey', Native Land Records.
Yoko describes her relationship with her voice now as much friendlier and has discovered a less forced, more natural approach to singing. She will be giving workshops (basic Japanese required) in Tokyo on May 8th and June 16th, and her first solo concert, also in Tokyo, on June 23rd. For information call Mr. Yamano at (03) 3531-4303.