Our Nippon Gaku group recently enjoyed a very special concert of Gagaku, traditional Japanese music. Kotonomama Shrine looked beautiful. The candles we lit on the stairway up to the shrine at sunset made the atmosphere just right. Some members of our group wore kimono especially for this occasion. Before the concert, members of the orchestra rushed about in preparation as we drank delicious amazake. The musicians’ clothing was made from beautiful material called “tamamushi”, because it resembles the iridescent color of certain insects.
All of this gave me a strong feeling that we were about to experience something that demands respect. I was not disappointed. We heard three songs. The first one was performed by the musicians only. The second and third songs were accompanied by fascinating dances and singing. There was so much going on that time seemed to pass very quickly, and soon the concert was over. I was confused by what I had just heard and seen.
I love all kinds of music. I play piano, guitar and taisyo koto. I like to think that I know a lot about music. But I must be honest: this music was beyond my understanding… in the most wonderful way. The reed instruments were eerie and powerful. The koto and lute were sparse and beautiful. The drums and chimes were like just the right amount of seasoning on top of a delicious plate of food. And yet, throughout the concert I felt like there was a wall between me and the heart of the music.
I am a child of rock and roll and MTV. Rhythm is everything. My mind is accustomed to having a strong drum beat to hang on to when listening to music. In Gagaku, it’s not so obvious. During the concert, my ears were straining to find a beat to hang on to but it wasn’t there. I felt like my mind was leaning over the top of a high cliff, looking into a deep canyon, but not quite falling yet. It was exciting! I enjoyed being surprised and confused by this music.
Thanks to everyone for the entire Nippon Gaku experience. My husband and I have enjoyed your hospitality and culture very much. It has gone far beyond the usual “tourist experience”. It was an “insider experience” for which we are very grateful. Thank you all.
For our latest Nippon Gaku session we visited Aoshima san’s osake brewery in Fujieda. Aoshima san said that is not his real name. His teacher gave him that name when he became a brew master. To begin a new phase in life with a new name is common in Western culture, too. This custom is at least as old as the Old Testament times in the Bible, 5000 years ago. In those days, people who had been touched by the presence of God often received new names from God, to reflect the change they had undergone. Aoshima san was kind enough to tell us of the profound change he experienced that led him home from New York City to learn his family’s business.
During our tour of the facility, we learned that bewer’s yeast is an important ingredient in osake. The kanji for brewer’s yeast, koubo, looks like “yeast mother”. This is a very accurate term because yeast is a fungus, a living organism, and within a very short time the “yeast mother” will produce millions of “children”. Their job is to assist in fermentation. However, we all know that children can be taught what to do but they can not be controlled. If any other organisms interfere with their work, they might produce an inferior product.
One way that Aoshima san avoids this problem is to ensure that the “yeast mother” and her “children” have plenty of pure water. He makes the mash with fresh water from the Ooigawa, then adds the yeast and more pure water. The kanji for mash, moromi, looks like “sake” without the “mizu”. This is another accurate term because osake is not osake without the purest water being added during the whole process. Aoshima san also keeps the brewery very clean, perhaps cleaner than my house! This may be a result of his personality, or of Japanese culture. It also may be the nature of the brewing business.
It was a special privilege for me and my husband to attend this Nippon Gaku. We understand now that osake is an important part of Japanese culture and that great care must be taken to ensure that a good product is made. We are grateful to have participated in this experience.
９：３０頃 無事市役所にもどってきました。 太陽の光がとっても恋しい１月のサイクリングでした。
]]>第4回Nippon学 ---「Nipponの書」の感想
http://ldc2007.seesaa.net/article/81953378.html
Nippon学スタッフのアメリカ人のSが，筆を使った白と黒のアート「Nipponの書」に挑戦しました。そのときの感想です。・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・This Nippon Gaku session was fun and interesting, especially for a Westerner like me. As you know, the Roman alphabet is used in English. In this writing syst...アクティビティプログラム＞ＮＩＰＰＯＮ学スローライフ掛川2008-02-02T02:24:17+09:00 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
This Nippon Gaku session was fun and interesting, especially for a Westerner like me. As you know, the Roman alphabet is used in English. In this writing system, there is no connection between the appearance of written words and their meanings. However, there is a clear connection between many kanji and their meanings, for example: yama, kuchi, ki. To a native English speaker, this is a challenging and fascinating way to use language.
Ono sensei told us that long ago, being a professional scribe in Japan was considered lowly work. This is surprising to me because I think using kanji requires a high level of precision and imagination.
In our morning session we had lots of time to practice and improve writing “forever”. At lunchtime the staff served us delicious miso soup. In our afternoon session we practiced kimbun. We each chose a kanji and explored artistic and creative ways to write it without striving for perfection. Because I am not good at writing kanji, I especially enjoyed this activity! After an afternoon break for delicious coffee and sweets, we made wall hangings of our kimbun.
We were amazed at the end of the day as each person presented his or her wall hanging. Each person’s particular style and personality were easy to see in the finished product. It was a long but satisfying day that I will never forget. Thank you to Ono sensei and all who participated.
また本年も、そして今年３月から始まる来年度の掛川ライフスタイルデザインカレッジにも、是非、皆様方のご参加、ご協力、よろしくお願いします。
]]>第2回 Nippon学の感想
http://ldc2007.seesaa.net/article/75483886.html
Nippon学スタッフのアメリカ人のSが，今回，初訪日のお父さんと初めて日本の民族衣装に”袖を通して”みました。そのときの感想です。・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・My 67-year-old father recently had a hip replacement. After surgery, he called me and said he wanted to “test drive” his new hip in Japan. So he came to ...アクティビティプログラム＞ＮＩＰＰＯＮ学スローライフ掛川2007-12-30T14:53:22+09:00 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
My 67-year-old father recently had a hip replacement. After surgery, he called me and said he wanted to “test drive” his new hip in Japan. So he came to visit us the weekend of our Nippon Gaku Kimono class. Muraki Sensei graciously invited Dad and me to be models. She was kind enough to dress us in her priceless family heirloom kimono. We were honored by Muraki Sensei’s generosity and patience.
We learned that kimono once worn by grandparents can be cut apart, redesigned, dyed different colors, and worn by three generations or more. I was overwhelmed by the gorgeous variety of color combinations and fabrics. Some students brought their kimono in a special suitcase, carefully folded so that they looked fresh and perfectly creased at all times. I was surprised to learn that the hidden undergarments are just as beautiful as the outer robe of the kimono. This attention to detail, even when no one else can see it, strikes me as “very Japanese”.
We worked in pairs or small groups to dress each other under Muraki Sensei’s supervision. As expected, the women needed more time to dress than the men. This seems to be true wherever you go in the world. Wearing kimono changed not only our appearance but also our behavior. We spoke more softly, moved more gracefully. We were aware of the dignity and respect that kimono demand of both the wearer and the observer. It made our tea ceremony a special event that required something extra from us that our everyday clothes don’t require.
My Dad’s new hip required something extra of me, too. He has recovered well but he still needs help with his shoes and socks. Before I came to Japan, this would have been a problem for me. In my culture, if an adult needs help dressing himself, it is often a sign of weakness that places an unfair burden on the helper. Also, my Dad has always been an all-powerful, heroic figure to me. When he asked me to help him with his shoes and socks, it was an unfamiliar situation for both of us. Fortunately, my previous adjustment to life in Japan prepared me for this moment.
During the past year, I have needed help with most of my everyday activities like reading, writing, speaking, shopping, and even bathing, using the toilet and washing clothes. At first, I was embarrassed and frustrated by how much help I needed. Yet rather than feeling like a burden, my Japanese friends have made me feel welcomed and cared for. I have learned to be grateful for the help and for the bond of friendship that results from it.
That’s why, during Nippon Gaku class, I didn’t feel embarrassed as I knelt at my Dad’s feet, took off his shoes and socks, and put on his tabi. I felt honored. It was an act of dignity for him, not shame. The Nippon Gaku Kimono Session was a unique privilege for us. My Dad and I will never forget this rare experience that made Dad’s visit to Japan the opportunity of a lifetime. We thank Muraki Sensei, Kakegawa Lifestyle Design College Staff and the other Nippon Gaku students for what we learned and for the beautiful memories we made together.
