Mei-Shun started Echigo-Shihi rally from October 1: she never stops once-a-day dancing even on weekends. Last year, she did the same as 白拍子 for one month before her performance on the stage. That makes such “strangers” a part of her normal life – dancing sometimes seems equivalent to playing a role.
Japanese dance
Diet to Dance
StandardAs dancers of all genre know well, slow movement is more difficult than quick one. Muscle power is required to keep each pose beautifully as much as possible. That means weight control is indispensable for Japanese dance — let’s stop here tonight.
Warm-up Exercise?
StandardMei-Shun practiced at the community center. She reserved every Wednesday night of this month. However, the Japanese-style room was a bit dirty tonight — where is the vacuum cleaner? Only a small broom? Okay. It might be a good warming-up before starting the dance.
Last Spurt
StandardJust one month is left for Mei-Shun before performing on the stage. There are a lot of things to do – lesson room reservation, invitation letter writing, lunch box order, hotel room reservation (to take a bath after the performance), etc., yet the most important is to control herself. And this is the most difficult.
Dance in a Rain
StandardMei-Shun is an umbrella lover. Thunderstorm might know that, kindly comes after she enjoys walking in a quiet rain. Ayame-Yukata features a geisha who appears on the stage with bangasa, a Japanese traditional umbrella. It is one of candidate scores for Mei-Shun’s 2015 performance.
Let’s Shrimp
StandardEchigo-Shishi has a climax part of ebi-zori: performers will arch his/her body backward like a shrimp, swinging sarashi. It was quite easy for Mei-Shun in her childhood, yet a kind of challenge now. Everyday exercise to strengthen the back muscle is indispensable.
She Loves It
StandardMei-Shun borrowed fake sarashi and ayabo from Master Mei-Shu for practice. Mikan-chan, a brown-box lover, immediately relaxes on it. Hey, let mom open it, honey.
A real pair of ayabo is red and white-striped stick, with small golden bells put on both ends. The Echigo-Shishi rings ayabos before swinging sarashi.
Joy of Dance
StandardPrograms for this year’s 邦楽発表会 are ready. On 2nd November, Sunday at Tsuchiura City Hall. Admission free. Performances will start from 10:30. Mei-Shun has to prepare lunch boxes, fruits and sweets for her guests. A nearby hotel room must be reserved to remove the make-up. Lessons would be harder of course. Busy, excited and … happy.
A Wig to perform
StandardMei-Shun saw a wig fitter today for her performance in November. Interestingly, such wigs are tailor-made from scratch in Kanto area including Tokyo. However, in Kansai area of Osaka, shops have an enormous number of wigs in various size and shape: Japanese dancers have to fit their heads to the wigs.
Lion Head
StandardEchigo-Shishi puts on a shishi (=mythical lion)-shaped cap, with a piece of cloth like a curtain. Dancers open/close it to show/veil their faces, meaning two characteristics; a human being and an artistic entity. Timing is very important, needs a lot of practice.
meishunkikunoe 