Master Mei-Shu gave Mei-Shun a phone call the other day. Actually, she made this August a summer vacation, gave her students no lessons. It seemed the first time for the master to intend to stop dancing for a month in these several years — and to lengthen the intermission for another month. Not only a pain in thigh caused by osteoporosis, rapid weight loss harasses her.
Japanese dance
Seasonal Gift
Standard御中元=ochugen, summer gifts are ready. Mei-Shun ordered special packages to 風流堂 as usual, asking a minor change in products. She had wondered why they never post English version for online shopping, emailed on this matter this time. Their reply was in a letter attached to the box for Master Mei-Shu: it seems they keep the job for their smart granddaughter who lived in the U.S. till recently, a WASEDA Univ. student.
Replacement?
StandardIt looks mom tries to stop thinking about 師範 certificate of 菊ノ上流, a Japanese dance party she belongs to. As an alternative, she discussed with Ms. I to pass the 4th grade test held by a national entity within this month. Vanilla Arc, Amazones and Little Rainbow were reserved to help her in intensive lessons. Why I know so well, you wonder? Meow, we understand everything you talk at home.
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Moon in Mind
StandardWe see 朔 of lunar May today. Mei-Shun visited Master Mei-Shu in the morning for a lesson, feeling somehow miraculous to dance 娘道成寺 on the best day to make a wish. 師範 certificate is one of her targets expected to be completed within 2017. Actually, she might be the last dancer who could acquire it supported by current Master Mei-Shu, who seems to become senile fast.
Shocking Suntan
StandardWhat a big mistake! Mei-Shun has got a little brown on the back of her neck. It might be caused by horseback riding: she carelessly reserved lessons in daytime during May, when ultraviolet ray rapidly becomes harder. She wears sunscreen on the face all through the year, while never on the nape. Could such a person acquire 師範 certificate to teach Japanese dance in kimono?
Dance in Kimono
StandardLesson at Master Mei-Shu’s residence resumed from today. However, she still has too much pain in legs to dance. That makes Mei-Shun to feel more responsible for herself: it is her who takes the initiative in learning and sophisticating 娘道成寺. Oh, clear moon of 十三夜 floats in the sea of dark blue sky. Would you support her with such a serene image? Yes, she would like to move smoothly as you do.
Lesson in Person
StandardMei-Shun feels so happy to see Master Mei-Shu again. It took several months for her to recover from a backache. How painful it is all depends, Mei-Shun has not been able but to worry. Thanks to the DVD, she has learned 30% of クドキ=kudoki, the most important part of 京鹿子娘道成寺. However, image watching means a labor to change right to left for a dancer, never allows her to spare time.
Practice Alone
StandardMaster Mei-Shu has a serious pain in the back. She asked her students one-month off, saw a doctor recently. According to her email, computed tomography did not give any hint of cause, detailed examination would be conducted. Her 道成寺 performance on DVD would replace lessons soon. Mei-Shun feels so sorry for her, while thinks of responsibility she would owe to her own students in the future.
Dojoji: 2
StandardThey held a memorial service for the lost bell burned down with 安珍. Women were prohibited to enter 道成寺 site after 清姫’s affair, yet they allowed a beautiful 白拍子=shirabyoshi, dancer in entertainment business to come in. They gave her a 烏帽子=eboshi, formal cap for guys to dance putting on and made it an excuse of letting her cross the threshold. Actually, she was a vengeful spirit of 清姫. That is why she dances to lyrics starting from 鐘に恨みは数々ござる=I’m full of grudge towards the bell.
Dojoji: 1
StandardPrecisely, 京鹿子娘道成寺=kyoganoko-musume-dojoji. It is based on a 能=noh featuring Legend of 安珍=anchin and 清姫=kiyohime. 安珍 was a handsome monk visited 熊野 Shrine. He stayed for a night at 清姫’s home who fell in love with him at first sight. He refused her, running away to hide under a big bell of nearby 道成寺. Furious 清姫 changed into a fire-breathing dragon and burned him to death. Hundreds of years later, 道成寺 monks constructed a new bell.
meishunkikunoe 