Seiza hurts. Rehearsal at the National Theater with the full 400+ cast for Hanami Odori. Made mistakes in Kisen run-through but Sensei says that bodes well for tomorrow’s show. What’s the Japanese equivalent of crossing one’s fingers?
11th row, 9th from stage right, hiding behind Fujii-san
Hakodate musicians arrived today for rehearsal and Kisen felt great! Am much more confident than four years ago. Spent the evening on yakata bune, the low-hung traditional party boats on Sumidagawa river. An amazing group of dancers, singers, shamisen players, and famous-person impersonators! Stomach is sore from laughing too much, eating too much, or both.
Rice almost ready for harvest in beautiful Kumamoto. Week of practice-eat-practice-talk-eat-practice-sleep. Delicious vegan feast at the reunion of Mrs Fujimoto and the sisters. All-night bus back to Tokyo. Three days till big show and feeling good!
For the last nine years, I’ve used and enjoyed a pair of Etymotic ER4 headphones. They’ve served me well for general music listening and recording, and with the custom-fit ear molds, were the most comfortable headphones I have. About a year ago, the end of one of the headphones suddenly snapped off. I sent Etymotic a message about repair, though I didn’t have my original receipt, and figured the headphones were well out of warranty. Etymotic asked me to send them in. A week later a new pair arrived in the mail, free of charge! I was so impressed with the service, I couldn’t help but write a review.
Going offline to rural Kumamoto for five days of individual shamisen and singing practice. Plus making new shorts with Hiro’s mom, professional seamstress! Itte kima~su!
Five hours of shamisen practice. Knees complained a bit, until we got to Michiko’s and started eating with Sensei and the gang. Amazing assortment of home-made vegan goodies, plus funny conversation. Then train back to Yokohama. The Hanzomon stairs provided the perfect leg stretch.
A great day of inspiring taiko and shamisen lessons capped by dinner with Yoshi at Tokyo’s oldest tofu restaurant, Sasa no Yuki. “Shacho” sends his regards.
Whew. Long day of Tokyo stairs combined with high-pressure music lessons. Survived shamisen Kisen runthrough, Hanami Odori singing, and Tosha-Sensei taiko intensive. Looking forward to a bit of rest at the Ryu family’s new home before more of the same tomorrow.