Come and experience a new form of Japanese festival while wearing a yukata!

Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1991. Started playing Japanese drums in the second grade of elementary school. Joined the training institute in 2010 and became a member in 2013. Selected to play the "large drum" and as a soloist. Played drums in the "Chaos" performance. Possessing an objective perspective, he proposes new expressions with free thinking in the creation of works, enriching the performance musically. On stage, he mainly plays drums and flute. He excels at light and nimble drumming and is the sound maker of Kodo, creating many key pieces for the stage, such as "Yui" and "Keikei". http://www.kodo.or.jp/about/member/yutasumiyoshi

—What are your aspirations for participating in "ISETAN BONDANCE 2017"?

My first impression was that this is a very interesting project! Bon Odori and festivals, which were commonplace in the past, were at the heart of each local community, and I think there were many encounters and reunions, joys and sorrows, and dramas that took place there.

People face each other in person, not through phone calls, Skype, emails, or LINE, talking, beating drums, singing songs, dancing the night away, and drinking alcohol. This kind of culture has been cultivated over many years, but it is now in decline. As the taiko drumming group Kodo, we are very happy to be able to participate in creating such a "space" in a new form called BONDANCE, which may not be exactly like the old days, but is possible in this modern age.


—What are your expectations for the collaboration between Y&SONS and Hilcrhyme on "BONDANCE"?

Since both members of Hilcrhyme are artists from Niigata Prefecture, it's still impossible to predict what kind of chemistry will result, but I hope it will be a rich collaboration that will allow us to send out new music from Niigata!

Both Y&Sons' yukata and kimono, and the taiko drums we at Kodo use, are part of Japanese culture with a long history. That's precisely why they can be difficult to approach and not easily accessible. From Y&Sons' concept, I feel the message is "incorporating kimono into everyday fashion." We feel the same way, and we hope to break down preconceived notions about how taiko drums and kimonos should be, and recreate them for the modern age through this collaboration at the BONDANCE event.


-- A message to customers participating in "BONDANCE"

Come experience a new form of Japanese festival on the rooftop of Isetan in summer, wearing a yukata and grabbing a beer! It's not an outdoor festival, it's not a live concert, it's not a festival—it's a "festival." It's not about watching or listening, it's about "participating"! It's guaranteed to be exciting! On the 8th and 9th, come to the rooftop of the Isetan Main Building in Shinjuku in your yukata!

NEXT≫ A message from the two members of "Hilcrhyme" to all participants of BONDANCE