An Encounter of Taiko and Orchestra! The Legendary Symphonic Work 'Monoprism' Revived After 5 Years [Kodo 45th Anniversary & 50th Anniversary of the Premiere]

A single sound becomes a prism of multicolored light━━━. A special performance by Kodo × Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the premiere of 'Monoprism' / Revived after 5 years.

The taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo, based in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and active both domestically and internationally, will hold a co-performance with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra at Bunkyo Civic Hall (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in commemoration of its 45th anniversary. The main program of this performance, the symphonic work 'Monoprism', celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, as well as the 90th anniversary of the birth of its composer, the master of contemporary music, Maki Ishii. Tickets for this memorable, one-day-only special performance are currently on sale at various ticket agencies.

Official Website: https://www.kodo.or.jp/performance/performance_kodo/56681

■ Performance Highlights

1. The Miraculous Fusion of Taiko and Orchestra Resonating Across 50 Years
'Monoprism' is a masterpiece composed by Maki Ishii in 1976 under the guidance of world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa. The monochrome of Japanese taiko drums and the multicolored resonance (prism) of the orchestra meet head-on, culminating in a surging wave of unified sound. Fifty years after its premiere, Kodo, which has carefully passed down this work, aims to perform it this time by returning to its origins. It is a rare opportunity to see a piece staged only once every few years.

2. A Solemn Ensemble for One Day Only by a Gorgeous Co-starring Cast
Conducting will be Tatsuya Shimono, who has had a long relationship with Kodo since 2008 and was mentored by Seiji Ozawa. The orchestral music will be provided by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, which boasts the oldest history in Japan and shows a wide range of activities. Both parties, which have a business tie-up with Bunkyo Civic Hall, will create an overwhelmingly powerful stage strictly for this day.

Tatsuya Shimono, Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

3. Playing in the Vast Magic of Music. Another Theme is 'Space'.
Another theme of this performance is 'Space'. In the first part, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the magnificent 'Star Wars Suite', and in the second part, an orchestral version of 'Song of the Universe', written specifically for Kodo by the leading synthesizer player Isao Tomita, will be presented, allowing you to experience boundless majesty while staying in the theater.

■ Message from the Director, Yuichiro Funabashi (Representative of Kodo)

Director: Yuichiro Funabashi (Representative of Kodo)

'Monoprism', emitting a new resonance even now, half a century later. Experience a special stage at the theater that you can only encounter at that moment.

The single sound of a Japanese taiko drum, overlaid with the rich resonance of an orchestra, greatly expands the music. The co-performance of Kodo and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra is a special stage where the different musical genres of taiko and orchestra meet, sometimes creating friction and a sense of incongruity, but it is an encounter that can only happen at that specific moment. The rhythm of the powerful percussion group, the extremely delicate tones, and the tension rising from silence. The physical energy of the taiko and the colorful resonance of the orchestra intersect, turning the entire theater into a single space of sound. The program as a whole has a grand structure that makes you feel the universe.

Furthermore, 'Monoprism' composed by Maki Ishii is an innovative work born from the head-on encounter between Japanese taiko and an orchestra. Created in the 1970s by Maki Ishii, who was inspired by the performance of Sado no Kuni Ondekoza through Seiji Ozawa, it connects the physical energy of taiko with the resonance of an orchestra. This work was one of the catalysts that pushed taiko onto the world stage, and it is a piece that Kodo has carefully passed down. The tension and energy born the moment the sharp strike of the taiko intersects with the multicolored resonance of the orchestra. Please experience this work, which emits a new resonance even now after half a century, at the theater.

■ Message from Conductor Tatsuya Shimono

Conductor: Tatsuya Shimono

The confrontation of primitive energy and precise resonance. Please engrave the vivid 'Prism of Sound' into your five senses.

'Monoprism', left behind by Master Maki Ishii, is truly a crystal of energy where the highly distinct sounds of Japanese taiko and orchestra—two entities that would normally be incompatible—clash violently and eventually fuse into a massive swell.

The primitive energy unleashed from the highly trained bodies of the Kodo members, and the precise, richly colored resonance spun by the Tokyo Phil. When these face each other head-on, an overwhelming vitality beyond logic dwells there.

I feel profound joy and a strong sense of destiny in being able to play this legendary piece together at the glorious milestone of their 45th anniversary. Amplifying the soul of Kodo, which continues to innovate based on tradition, with the sound of an orchestra. Please engrave into your five senses the vivid 'Prism of Sound' that rises at that moment, and the soul-shaking enthusiasm, at the venue.

April 2026 at Kodo Village / Tatsuya Shimono and Kodo members (Photography: Takashi Okamoto)

■ Performance Overview

Kodo 45th Anniversary