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Repertoire of original work

'Nae - the rice seedling', is a full theatrical and musical work composed and directed by Kokichi Kusano. The work is heavily influenced by the Noh theatre, while drawing upon the skills and traditions of Japanese stage and folk music craft to tell a modern story of struggle and perseverance.

May 5, 2023

Nae - the rice seedling

'Nae - the rice seedling', is a full theatrical and musical work composed and directed by Kokichi Kusano. The work is heavily influenced by the Noh theatre, while drawing upon the skills and traditions of Japanese stage and folk music craft to tell a modern story of struggle and perseverance.



Okuni, premiered in 2016 is a solo theatre work accompanied by Japanese ensemble music, written and performed by Kayo Yasuhara. Kokichi was commissioned to compose an entirely new score for the remount version premiered in Montreal, in 2019. 
Okuni is the creator of early popular theatre in Japan that is today celebrated as the iconic Kabuki theatre.

May 23, 2019

Okuni

Okuni, premiered in 2016 is a solo theatre work accompanied by Japanese ensemble music, written and performed by Kayo Yasuhara. Kokichi was commissioned to compose an entirely new score for the remount version premiered in Montreal, in 2019.
Okuni is the creator of early popular theatre in Japan that is today celebrated as the iconic Kabuki theatre.



Joining up with Shadowpath Theatre to offer works and performance of Japanese music to a play featuring excerpts from Sappho to Stein, with a nod to Okuni Kabuki. Kokichi composed and performed the Japanese musical accompaniment.

July 14, 2023

Theatre Out of the Shadows

Joining up with Shadowpath Theatre to offer works and performance of Japanese music to a play featuring excerpts from Sappho to Stein, with a nod to Okuni Kabuki. Kokichi composed and performed the Japanese musical accompaniment.



Title
Japanese
Instrumentation
Description
Cho no mai
蝶の舞
nagauta voice, shamisen, shinobue
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ as music to accentuate the ‘feminine’ in an exposé of traditional dance types
Suimyo Matsuri
水明の祭り
Gagaku ensemble, taiko ensemble
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ tells the tale of the return of the Sun Goddess from hiding in shadow
Ame Agareba
雨上がれば
koto
‘After the rain stops…’ Written as a children’s piece, evokes bored and restless children waiting for the rain to stop so they can go out and play
Kyushu Danji
九州男児
taiko ensemble, shinobue duet
Composed as the flagship piece for project Nae
Oshogatsu Daiko
お正月太鼓
taiko ensemble
Composed as a learners piece for TVOKids production ‘It’s my party’
Suimyo no Kyu
水明の急
Gagaku ensemble
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ as theme music for a Shinto legend
Okiku
お菊
shamisen, voice, shinobue
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ in the nagauta style depicting the seductress Okiku
Rokki-Sando
ロッキー三道
shamisen trio, taiko ensemble
Uses a trio of high tempo dueling shamisen to tell the tale of three generations crossing the Rocky Mountains
Yo-e
よーゑ
Noh ensemble
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’, depicting the protagonist’s journey through rage into self-transformation
Sonona
その名
shinobue solo
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’, depicts the seduction of Okuni by Sankuro
Suriashi
すりあし
taiko, shinobue, kagura dance
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ as the shrine dance of the protagonist
Kawabe no Haru
川辺の春
koto duet, shakuhachi
Written to feature a duet of Koto
Kurui
狂い
taiko, shakuhachi, Noh chorus
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’, depicts rage and betrayal
Ogiya musume
扇屋娘
shamisen, shinobue
Written for the dance production ‘Okuni’ in nagauta style, depicts the loneliness of the daughter of a fan makers shop
Akagumo
赤雲
shinobue solo
Solo on bamboo flute depicting a fading red sunset
Nan-nan
波波
shinobue, shamisen, koto, taiko
Children’s song describing wind and waves
Makurazaki
枕崎
shamisen, shinobue, minyo taiko
Fast festive piece depicting passage through the steep coastal hills around Makurazaki city
Haruna
榛名
shinobue solo
Solo on bamboo flute
Tenmonkan
天門館
taiko ensemble
Parade piece inspired by iconic market in Kagoshima city
Nangoku Namikaze Hamaodori
南国波風浜踊り
taiko, shinobue, percussion, shamisen
Festive piece celebrating tropical abundance
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