The lecture on Enjoying Noh Gaku by Mrs. Junko Kawamura, Director of the Association for Spreading Noh Gaku, was concise yet fun as well as filled with humor. Her lecture was also profound. We practiced a noh song and one guest experienced using a drum, another wearing a noh costume, and others walking with a gliding step. Even those with little knowledge about noh beforehand, became interested in this art form. We would like to hear her speak on this topic again because it was so interesting.
Dr. Masatoshi Watanabe who is an advisor of Rakusai Bamboo Garden lectured on bamboo and the history of the park. We learned how much Japanese people have loved bamboo and have used it from ancient times. We also enjoyed the beautiful park which includes over 100 different kinds of bamboo.
A curator of Masutomi Geology Museum gave us an interesting lecture not only about stones but also about the history of prehistoric earth and the structure of the earth. We were all impressed to see sakura-ishi (cherry blossom stone) which has a flower-shaped cross section.
Kongoh NohgakudouWe appreciated a traditional Japanese dance performed by Ms. Wakayagi Hikoju, who is also a member of our Kamogawa-Kai, at Kongou Noh Theater. The hall was full. We were very happy that so many of our overseas friends joined this program. We believe that they fully enjoyed her excellent performance.
Kampo MuseumWe enjoyed springtime through Kampo's dancing brush. We also appreciated Kampo Harada's collection which covers a broad range of area such as an ancient calligraphy, paintings and books. His activity with his principle for mutual understanding among the people promoted cultural exchange that centered on calligraphy. The screen with English subtitles helped foreign guests to understand his world.
We had a spring party in Sagano. It was a beautiful sunny weather and the cherry blossoms there were in full bloom. The party was exciting with a unique musical performance. It was a collaboration of Tsugaru-jamisen, African percussion and English woman's vocal. After the performance, guests enjoyed our homemade dishes and some green tea.
* A Performance of Tsugaru Jamisen by JACK a.k.a. Yoshihisa Matsumoto. Born in Shizuoka. Thanks to his rock music background he plays Tsugaru Jamisen in a rock-style. In 2008, one of Jack's original songs was used for the film "3D boys".
* A Percussin performance by Noritsugu Knayama. In 2006, Noritsugu performed his first solo concert. In March 2008, he joined his mentor Hiroshi Chu Okubo for his live performance in Bejing, China.
* A Min-yo performance by Eleanor Robinnson. Born in Liverpool. Eleanor lived in Aomori City where she learned traditional folksongs called Tsugaru min-yo. She is the International Goodwill Ambassador of Aomori City. She is currently a Ph D student at Kyoto University.
We looked around the museum attended by a staff person. He explained us the history of Japanese comics, or animations called "manga." Then we practiced drawing cartoons in the workshop.
Raku Kichizaemon, 15th generation spoke to us about his life and art, and then we visited to the museum. Kichizaemon has tried to keep his family's traditional style, yet he has also tried to add a modern touch. His story impressed us deeply.
We visited the Costume Museum in Shimogyo-ku. They have made a one-fourth scale model of a part of Rokujyo-in mansion which is described in "The Tale of Genji". There, they display figures dressed in such beautiful costumes. By the interpretation of the curator, we appreciated the delicate and historical ambience of Heian period. We also enjoyed trying on a kimono and having a photo taken.
The Rev. Mr. Daiko Matsuyama gave us a lecture on Zazen: the practice of Zen meditation and actually experienced it for a short time. We enjoyed the ink painting "Catching Cat-fish with a Gourd" which is designated as a National Treasure and beautiful gardens with Mr. Matsuyama.
