Sado Island, a verdant jewel in the Japan sea, is famous for being home to Kodo, the globetrotting taiko ensemble that is performing at BAM March 1-4. Sado is where I lived for nine transformative years of my life, during which time I partook in some of the best sake, sushi, soba, persimmon, oysters, that I've had. Sado is home to a traditional folk art called Ondeko (an abbreviation of Oni-Daiko or demon drum) during which masked dancers, embodying demons, ferociously shake their manes, stamp their feet and hit the drum, expelling evil spirits and pestilence.

A Sado festival is taking place in NY March 2nd. I'm sadly out of town, but I encourage everyone to get a taste of what this incredible place has to offer!

Best,
Kaoru