THE "S" ENTRIES

SUGIMOTO reigns: Check out the February '06 issue of Art in America to find two articles about Sugimoto, including a review of his Maori Museum and Japan House exhibitions and a first person (really two-person) account of portrait sitting for him.

SAKE delights: See The Wall Street Journal February 4-5 article on p. P-12 entitled "Sake Brewers Look to the Past." Those of you who want recommendations for brands of Sake to (over)fill your glasses and boxes will find this article on nigori-sake worthwhile. Kampai!!

Kateigaho International Magazine

Ah yes, another thing. I strongly urge everyone to check out the website www.int.kateigaho.com and subscribe to this marvelous magazine about Japan. It's pricey, but well worth it. Courtney

HOGAKU: New Sounds of Japan

Greetings fellow Japanophiles. One of the wonderful things about living in New York is access to cultural meccas such as The Asia Society. Last night I was priviledged to spend three hours listening to the most exciting and honest music I've heard in ages. The Asia Society hosted a evening of artists who play TRADITIONAL Japanese instruments in a "modern" way. Before the concert Takafumi Tanaka of the Hogaku Journal gave an introductory lecture. He explained that elements of western music such as melody and harmony (his words) are not concepts incorporated into traditional Japanese music. In his view, "modernizing" the way traditional Japanese instruments are played has to do, not with technique, but rather with incorporating melody and harmony into play. So the evening featured three "new hogaku" groups, each performing on a different traditional instrument. In my opinion, the western style of music closest to what I heard and fell in love with would be jazz. So if you like the idea of "Japanese Jazz" played on traditional Japanese instruments, read on...

First we heard AKI & KUNIKO, a charismatic duo playing guitar (yes regular western guitar) and KOTO, respectively. It's hard to say who the star of this duo is. Aki is clearly a master of the guitar but it was Kuniko's energy and physical power as she pluked, strummed and pressed on the Koto in ways that her ancesters could never imagine, who stole the show.

Then three charming young men (I'm showing my age; they were all in their 20s) who each played different styles of Shakuhachi flute. The group, called HAN'NYA TEIKOKU, was perhaps my favorite of all. The leader introduced one of the songs by saying that he hoped the audience would enjoy their music...which he described as nothing but "the sound of their breath through a hollow piece of bamboo with a little bit of Zen Buddhism mixed in". Isn't that wonderful? Imagine, a poetic, 20-something, rocked-out-looking, Tokyo dwelling shakuhachi player! [I'm beginning to think there is hope for the world after all.]

Remember our brief exposure to the Shamisen in Gujo Hachiman? Our last performer was the handsome, debonair SHINICHI KINOSHITA on Shamisen, accompanied by Hiroshi Motofuji on Taiko Drums (I've decided that every group should be backed up by taiko) and Sayuri Ono on Shinobue (flute). By the way, if they're still looking for a new James Bond, they should talk to Kinoshita-san.

To find out a bit more, visit the Japan Foundation's website at www.performingarts.jp. To order CDs, I'd suggest calling the Asia Society Store directly. I tried looking up the artists' websites mentioned in the program guide but they were all in Japanese.

Pajama Shimasu - Courtney

Natalie's Collages

Natalie took some of our digital pictures and created two wonderful collages.

Gujo Hachiman

We went to a small city in the mountains called Gujo Hachiman. It is quite small you can walk the whole city. It is famous for its water. There are several rivers that run by it and a complicated and charming cement lined trenches all through the city. The city inhabitants cool vegetables in the running water, drink the water and generally enjoy the sound. We stayed at Yoshidaya Ryokan. We were assisted at the Ryokan by Brent and his friend who lent a very charming exuberance to the stay at the Inn. It was our first time sleeping on the floor on Tatami mats. The room was charming with a great view of the gardens. We had a banquet that night and drank much Sake and learned to dance the cities crazy Moon-River-Mountain dance. Had a wonderful time.

Sugimoto in New York

From Ferris Olin

Sugimoto, whose work we saw at the Mori Museum in Tokyo currently has another exhibit up at The Japan Society in New York. He is scheduled to speak about his art and collections (fossils included) on Thursday evening. I look forward to visiting the museum and hearing his lecture on 12/1. (Lucky me that had previously planned to hold several meetings in NY that day and the timing was perfect!).

Message from Brent

Hello Cliff & Cathy
What a nice surprise to wake up to!! Thank you for the picture and the kind words. We're so happy that you enjoyed your visit to Gujo Hachiman! We very much enjoyed meeting you both, and having you stay with us. I hope that you will visit us again soon! I hope that the rest of your trip went well.
Last weekend we had the autumn "momiji" festival. It's a relatively new festival for this town, only five years old, but it's already quite popular. There are various events held throughout the town, including Gujo Odori dancing in the plaza next to us, and autumn leaf viewing parties on the top of the small mountain at the castle. We got up very early on Sunday and walked up to the top of the mountain to see the autumn leaves before the crowds. We also had a lot of guests that day so it was a busy time!
We took some pictures of the town and the castle and I thought that you might enjoy them so I've attached a few for you. We're looking forward to the movie you mentioned in your e-mail. I've forwarded the picture you sent us to Okazaki-san and Mizukami-san of the tourist association.
Once again, thank you for the picture and the kind invitation to visit. We're looking forward to seeing you in Japan or L.A!
Brent

Geisha

In Kyoto we went out at night and spotted a Geisha. They still exist. She was being escorted into the Geisha House.

Tea Ceremony

We went to the Zuiho-In Zen Temple for a tradional Tea Ceremony and then a vegitarian lunch.

Day 1 in Kyoto First Meeting

On the first morning we met after breakfast for the first time as a group. Nancy Craft (in white shirt) passed out the radios we would use. Nancy was from Esprit Travel and was a great guide to Japan.