Today means Cat’s Day, yet let Mei-Shun talk about a horse girl. Actually, she made a break falling from Dreamer’s back last Wednesday. Fortunately, excellent work of an airbag vest prevented any trouble. She only felt a slight stiffness at the back of her neck for a few hours after that accident. Sorry, honey, it must have frightened you so much.
lesson
Oh, Marilyn
StandardNot that famous actress, a lovely horse girl. She is honest in lessons, patient enough to carry such an unskillful rider as Mei-Shun. On the other hand, she is so charming and friendly, a little bit mischievous once leaving the ground. Yes, we know you do not like to be squeezed by a saddle belt. Please stop yawning 8 times after that.
Shio-Kumi:1
StandardHere is a handmade pair of pails for Shio-Kumi practice. Thank you so much, Master Mei-Shu. That story features pretty sisters named 松風 and 村雨, who were involved in sea salt making at a small, remote village. One day, they saw a noble guy in a banishment penalty and fell in love with him.
Doubled Waraji
StandardMaster Mei-Shu gave the last lesson of this month today. Mei-Shun had not been able to practice enough, showed poor dance, feeling so embarrassing. It is called difficult to be engaged in two trades at the same time, or 二足の草鞋を履く. She knows it well. Or just meant to know …
Better Rider?
StandardIt has taken 2 weeks for Mei-Shun to come back to horses: a slight cold prevented her from attending lessons. Her current class is for beginners, called “Basic B”. Today Ms. I, Mei-Shun’s favorite instructor, recommended her to go up to “Basic A”. That means she would make a small graduation soon. Thanks to carrots, she wonders.
Showa Horse
StandardMei-Shun took a lesson on Seika, 30 years old, might be the oldest boy in this club. Horses age roughly 4 times faster than human beings, yet he never looks a senile 120-year-old. So we take him as a gentleman around 80 with graying hair, leading a halcyon, healthy life. By the way, people born in the Showa era (1926-89) are called Showa-jin (=man) these days, like Jomon (14,000-300 B.C.)-jin or Yayoi (300 B.C.-250 A.D.)-jin!
Introductory Lesson
StandardThanks, Maroo. He is very handsome and kind, a white pony, 20 years old, played a role of Mei-Shun’s partner yesterday. Our club let us prepare for riding; we have to brush his/her body, clean inside horseshoes, put cushions on the back, etc., before lessons. Nice idea it seems — we agree with them. Soft pats and gentle talking during preparation would help our wordless conversation.
Cooler August
StandardIn order to perform feminine* Suisen-Tanzen, we put on a long-hemmed kimono, which requires a technique to deal with. Many Japanese dancers therefore have this tool to wrap up the lower half of the body. However, it is too hard to use it in summer — we perspire much in legs even not in exercise. Well, does Mei-Shun have to say thanks to Typhoon Goni?
*Suisen-Tanzen has a masculine version as well.
Pianist’s Nail
StandardMei-Shun had taken piano lessons from 4 to 17 years old. Her last instructor always told her to keep short nails. She never allowed her students’ nails to touch keys of her piano — such noise must be a kind of torment for her sensitive ears. Now, Mei-Shun is swaying between fashion and hobby.
Self-Lesson
StandardIt is no easy to avoid mistakes in playing piano. Touching wrong keys is out of question for professional pianists, while sounds uncomfortable to normal ears. What is the most important to enjoy beautiful flow of tones? Correct reading of scores seems the first. Picking up parts difficult to play smoothly would follow for concentrated practice.
meishunkikunoe 