What: Kodo

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 1

Where: Humboldt State University Van Duzer Theatre

Admission: $45 general, $25 students

The Japanese word “Kodo” translates to English in two ways: “heartbeat” and “children of the drum.”

Both are accurate descriptions for the fierce, yet playful Japanese “samurai percussionists” of the acoustic drumming group, Kodo.

Since first performing in Berlin in 1981, they have staged 3,300 shows in more than 46 countries.

Kodo brings their show to Humboldt State University's Van Duzer Theatre on Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

For 30 years, they have been playing the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, with energy and precise choreography.

Bring in another type of drum -- the o-daiko. It's a massive 900-pound decorated drum carved from the trunk of a single tree and is played by two men. It takes eight men to move the drum, making the shipping of Kodo's instruments a story in itself.

For their North America tour, the drums will be shipped via boat from Japan, then trucked from place to place.

Jun Akimoto said he got involved with Kodo in 2001 after attending a workshop on Northern Sado Island.

Kodo was formed on the remote island, which historically became a haven for artists in postwar Japan who were seeking more communal approaches to creativity and tradition.

Akimoto said he wanted to learn about traditional Japanese drumming and was amazed by Kodo's intuitive communication techniques.

”They were trying to see drums as a media to unite people with diverse backgrounds,” he said. “That's how I (became) interested in this group -- from my brief experience of their philosophy and their way of life, (rather) than the performance itself.”

Kodo -- which has 25 members and 25 staff -- practices for eight hours every day. Akimoto said it can be challenging to live in such a traditional way, but he finds ways of using it to his advantage.

“Since I am from a family of Christians and (was) raised in the western way of life, sometimes spending communal life with Kodo makes me feel 'too Japanese',” Akimoto said. “However, (I have) acquired objective eyes toward myself and Kodo that is advantageous whenever I need to be objective and practical as possible in business.”

Kodo uses high-energy percussion, music, dance and striking physical prowess in their performances.

Akimoto said Kodo is not trying to modernize traditional Japanese drumming, but believes traditions need to be updated and maintained to a certain point to last longer over time.

”A tradition cannot stay as it is, but needs to change,” he said. “In that sense, we feel that we are living in the past and present at the same time and there is no difference between them in terms of creation process.”

Kodo recently released a new album, “Akatsuki,” which features a CD of their drumming and a video explaining how the live shows are inspired.

Akimoto said he hopes people come out to see the live performance because it is the easiest way to feel like they are part of the Kodo community.

”We hope people can synchronize with the spirits, love and power of the performers through drumming, singing, dancing,” Akimoto said.