Meaning a preparation for a stage, it is also called katsura (=wig) awase (=fitting). Contracted staffs start arranging items for respective dancers. Those who are in charge of wigs take the longest time to make metal bases from scratch. Kimono fitters are in close contact with small properties shops, so Mei-Shun asked them to lend her the spear two weeks before performance.
Japanese culture
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardWe had a 5-day holiday called “Silver Week” from 19th to today this year. It includes Respect for the Elderly Day, which has been celebrated on the third Monday of September due to our Happy Monday System while Autumnal Equinox Day on Wednesday. Such arrangement makes Tuesday a national holiday to make us even happier. And many of us hope to have this consecutive holidays every year along with “Golden Week” in May.
Wig Choice
StandardJapanese hairstyle for women had 4 basic 髷 (mage=bundling); 兵庫(hyogo)髷, 島田(shimada)髷, 勝山(katsuyama)髷 and 笄(kogai)髷 in Edo Period. Suisen-Tanzen normally employs a 島田髷 wig, yet our ex-head Onoe Kikugoro VII uses a 兵庫髷 one. And that is why Master Mei-Shu chose the latter, looking very handsome with a gorgeous 打掛 (uchikake=long kimono). Mei-Shun would like to look like her on the stage soon, at least in style.
Izayoi Moon
StandardWe see 十六夜, one day after the moon looks full called 十五夜, tonight. It comes up to the sky a little delayed compared to last night. In old days, they took it as moon’s hesitation and read this Chinese letters izayoi. As the moon appears later night by night, they call 17th moon 立待月, 18th 居待月 and 19th 寝待月 meaning to wait for the moon standing, sitting and lying.
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardObon period has come. Many happy grandparents are seen on TV holding their grandchildren at the gate of local airports, railway stations and so on. Some of them live in Tsuchiura, a city of half countryside and half urban. It is interesting to find birthday cake-like ones at Japanese sweet shops — clearly for children, an example of obon– or New Year-specific items in stores.
Artistic Couple
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Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardToday is Marine Day, the 3rd Monday of July. Mountain Day would be added to our list of national holidays on August 11th next year. One of the reasons for these recent enforcement seems that summer vacation for schoolchildren are set from late July to the end of August. Parents would like to share joyful time with children as long as possible.
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardThey made it. Former Yama-Hoko parade of Gi-On Festival was safely held today despite raging Typhoon Nangka. 23 portable shrines were led by a number of white ban-kasa, Japanese traditional umbrellas on which town names each shrine belongs to are written. Weekdays prevented us from enjoying even serial Yoi-Yama nights this year. Dear Fune-Hoko, see you next year.
Tanabata Wishes
StandardIt stopped raining in the morning. We might be able to see Orihime and Hikoboshi stars at night; the former is Japanese name of Vega while the latter Altair. Mei-Shun’s wish to bind on our tree is to have good sweets symbolizing this romantic festival.
Annual Custom
StandardThis is minazuki, a Japanese sweet to eat today for Nagoshi-no-Harae. A half piece would be dedicated to your past half-year life, while another half to wish your happiness in left half of current year.
meishunkikunoe 