For all new updates on The Nae Project and Kokichi, head over to my new website at www.naeproject.ca
Repertoire of original work
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.
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.
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 |