We have clear 十三夜, a moon on lunar September 13th tonight. 十五夜, another on lunar August 15th, is rare to be like this. Although rounder, she tends to keep shy wrapped in a cloudy dress. By the way, “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare is translated into Japanese as 十二夜. 尾上菊之助 or Kikunoe Ryu head Sensha has played it on stage in kimono, directed by late Y. Ninagawa.
kimono
Acknowledgement
StandardUpper pair of shoes following below walked in Tunisia raining. Such a rare experience is only for them. Quite likened by Mei-Shun, they have worked hard debilitating themselves under sultry/frigid conditions, far away from normal obsolescence. Darlings, it was in 2010 spring that she asked Shin to purchase you on Internet. Seven years with you gave much to her. Farewell and thanks a million, take good rest.
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.
Last Princesses
StandardIt does not mean to say good-bye but hello. So she is the youngest among the Yellow Card. Her closest sister moved into a vase throne with sweet pea maids of honor. And another princess in our garden has finished her performance, gives her kimono little by little to a friend still asleep at her feet. The latter is called 姫空木=hime-utsugi, also a princess to put on white dress early in May.
Lunar March
StandardYes, it starts from today. That might be why our garden princess gave her first bloom. It is so interesting that the more distant a bud is from the trunk, the sooner it blooms. That makes her look like putting on a melon kimono from the bottom. Now it gets dark, your mother would play piano in moonlight scores to help you — we do not have it in the sky tonight.
Cold Gale
StandardA phone call came from Master Mei-Shu’s husband. He said his wife looked sick, had to cancel today’s lesson. That is terrible for her, yet what is going on? Just a second before, Mei-Shun sent an E-mail to the master, asking to let her student put kimono on after driving. It was so windy that long sleeves and tight wrapping of legs seemed to disturb safe handling of a car. Master replied simply, “I see”. Anyway, please take care. Such a stormy weather must be hard for her to endure.
Fully Equipped?
StandardFor today’s lesson, Mei-Shun put on the amber 帯留=obi-dome, ornament for a string on kimono sash while a 簪=kanzashi, hair accessory beside her chignon. Both of them are gifts from her generous husband who always encourages good practice. It would be perfect with the silk kimono, yet there is a serious obstacle: she has to drive to Master Mei-Shu’s residence. That textile is so smooth that it easily come down on the floor. She cannot stand such a danger and — dirt on it.
Delicate Girls
StandardMikan-chan, you look fine this morning. May mom go out? It is warm and windless, the best condition to play with horseies. Would you sleep under mom’s 半纏 kimono coat? All right, see you later, sweet girl. Well, Madoka-chan, you refuse to give us lessons today. Ms. I said that you might have frightened at something small in woods next to the field. Such a sensitive girl, your nose bled last week as well. No problem, take enough rest on carrots and apples.
First Lesson
Standardof 2017, thank you so much, Master Mei-Shu. It is the best way to make Mei-Shun straighten her spine — prepare kimono, put it on with お太鼓=o-taiko, sash shaped in a square on the back. Master gave her student a new 舞扇=mai-ogi, a fan used in Japanese dance as usual. Oh, how pretty this salmon-pink is! It well encourages Mei-Shun to practice hard 京鹿子娘道成寺=kyo-kanoko-musume-dojoji. It is the set piece for our Kikunoe Ryu certificates including 段=dan, 名取=natori and 師範=shihan.
meishunkikunoe 