This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). In the hazy mid-morning sun, dappled light dances across the dank woodland soil as the tips of gangly black pines sway gently in the ...

In the Japanese language, the word " Kodo" has two meanings. It can mean "heartbeat" — the fundamental source of all rhythm. However, the characters used for the group's name have a different meaning, ...

The drum is often considered the first human instrument. But in the hands of the performers of Kodo, drums are not primitive but powerful — emotionally expressive and even spiritual. The large ...

Tucking into our tofu hotpot at the end of our first day’s hike, our host started to play music. His three-stringed instrument, the sanshin, resembles a banjo, except that its body is covered in ...

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — An internationally-renowned taiko performing arts ensemble is drumming its way from Japan to Bloomington soon. On Feb. 21, Kodo is bringing heart, history and high-energy taiko ...

In its latest creation, Warabe, famed taiko troupe Kodo explores the most basic and authentic of musical impulses, the "desire to play the drums with the simple heart of a child." The living bearers ...

Internationally renowned taiko performing arts ensemble KODO is ready to drum its way from Japan to North America in 2025 – bringing heart, history, and high-energy taiko drumming to more than 30 ...

The dappled morning light illuminates the damp forest soil beneath our feet, while overhead the tops of the tall black pine, cedar and cypress trees sway in the breeze. Komorebi (木漏れ日), our guide ...