Waiting for …

Standard

Our “Yellow Card” has grown up in buds. It is so nice to see her get more beautiful day by day, but – a whole month has already passed since we first found her in a small cluster. How long does it take to meet your petals?

untitled

Doll Festival

Standard

Master Mei-Shu has three granddaughters. When Mei-Shun visited her today, she found beautiful hina dolls set in the corner of the lesson room to celebrate those three girls. In Suisen-Tanzen, a dancer carries a long, fur-headed spear. We use a bamboo stick for practice, yet have to be very careful for a while not to hurt the dolls.

Hello Again

Standard

Mei-Shun found mimosa bouquets at a flower shop in Ueno Station. We had grown two mimosa trees before 2013, yet neither of them survived in freezing Ibaraki wind, called Tsukuba-oroshi … Hi, friend. Would you join our family for a while?

untitled

Beautiful Songs

Standard

“Lieder ohne worte” by Mendelssohn seems to welcome any lyrics. No. 20 Allegro non troppo, called 浮雲; uki-gumo meaning “clouds floating in the sky” is one of the most favorite pieces of Mei-Shun. She has begun to recall the melody after around 30 years!

Spring Taste

Standard

Such beautiful green peas! Mei-Shun boiled them in sincere accordance with grower’s instruction. He told us to keep the peas in hot water until it gets colder. So, they have no wrinkle on the face. Let’s enjoy their baby-skin texture and sweetness.

untitled

 

Green Bride

Standard

Mei-Shun is good at growing green necklaces (only). Today is the “marriage” date for the best-grown one; Professor S, an admirable lady who kindly friends with Mei-Shun, would like that pot. Well, drink much water, relax well in the sunlight, daughters. Who would be the next?

Hello, Buds

Standard

This cymbidium is named “Yellow Card”, a gift from Kasumi Kikunoe, a “sister” student of Mei-Shun. Despite such dangerous name, it beautifully gleams in full bloom. Last summer, Mei-Shun took devoted care of it, which had got black at the end of leaves. It survived well, and greets her today with one, lovely cluster of buds.

untitleduntitled

After 2 Years

Standard

Shin has brought home a wild vine when he had a business trip to Nagano. The fresh fruit tastes nice, yet a bit too sour. Mei-Shun therefore made it soaked in white rum. We tried this beautiful violet color at the end of 2013 – it gave a fine scent as well. And to date, it has been separated into bottled liquid and fruit.

untitled

Happy Birthday

Standard

…to Mei-Shun today. Her family gave a tiny party at night, and flower gifts. Bigger one is from Shin, fresh while smaller one from mom-in-law, preserved. They are like two peas in a same pod, choose as they look. What a beautiful combination!

untitled

Shiokumi; Fisher Ladies

Standard

Master Mei-Shu gave Mei-Shun the first lesson of this year. They’ve picked up “Shiokumi” for the stage in autumn. This is a love story between a nobleman from Kyoto and fisherwomen sisters named Matsukaze and Murasame. In noh stages, older Matsukaze is the leading role shite while younger Murasame the supporting one waki.