February 20th, 2005

I've been learning a new song titled Karatachi no hana by Kitahara Hakushyu and Yamada Kousaku.
There are five different short verses and they all have different melodies.
I'm finding this very challenging and time consuming...so many shadows and intricate details to this song. I had to giggle for i had an image of flags on fences floating in the wind for the 3rd verse; buy my dear friend Teramoto san explained to me that 'hata' in this song comes from 'hatake'(field)-and in this verse they are talking about fences in the fields that are made from Karatachi's thorns. I believe this is not being done anymore? is this? does anyone know? the verse is Karatachi no hata no kakineyo Itsumo itsumo tooru michidayo. The word Karatachi is really Karatachibana-from China or Korea-- Kara means China and Tachibana means Mikan--

Another song that i have been reviewing is the famous 'Oborozukiyo' by Takano 1876-1947. He also wrote Furusato, Haru ga kita, Momiji , and Haru no ogawa , etc.
I wanted to share with you a recent A HA....or mistake on my part. I have been singing this song for about seven years and always thought the word sato wa meant 'hometown', but my friend just shared with me that it means 'small farmer's village' --also... all the this time i thought 'hokage' meant 'little fire', but i was just made aware that it is an old saying that means 'fire and shadow'.
Now...different images come to me while i'm practicing this sweet song....more colorful and more beautiful.
My friend Teramoto san wrote to me and said "Oborozukiyo is about the breath of nature and the majestic evening scenes in the Japanese countryside."

January 30th, 2004

     It's been a long time since I wrote a word or two down in this precious diary.

    So many tragedies keep occurring; it's a wonder the heart can still beat after hearing such devastating news. So many lives - lost. These occurrences keep bringing me back to the ultimate reality: Impermanence.
    Today is all we have- if one can embrace this truth and BE in the NOW with love and compassion, the world would be a different place.

    The end of last year was very difficult for me, but that experience has opened up my heart even more--I find it odd to have deep sorrow in the heart and body and yet I am able to experience deep joy simultaneously.

    I feel gratitude for this precious life and deep gratitude for DOYO and Japan. My love for Doyo is still alive and well and I'm able to share this valuable art in the land of the mochi-manga-maze-called Japan.
    I am beginning to strongly believe that the Japanese gods have called me here to sing-study-sacrifice-and share DOYO. What an honour.

    I wish you inner peace and joy and please stay tuned for the Spring schedule.