Oh, Princess Maria, Ms. Last One, Mr. Tea Time and Ms. Sagittarius, Mei-Shun has to wait for at least 3 weeks to see you all again. A horsey riding club they belong to informed her that it would be closed until the state of emergency goes ineffective. Well, it might be right: although members can stay away from three Cs outdoors, indoor environment is almost the same as other business.
Shin went on a business trip to 徳島. Mei-Shun has not visited that prefecture where Master Mei-Shu was from, while famous for 阿波踊り=awa-odori, a dance performance on parade. Their main airport featuring above dance in name gives free lesson to tourists. When the loved lady joined them for a joke, she was awarded the best performer of that day.
So recent お彼岸=o-higan passed by, lunar calendar reached solar one. Mei-Shun visited her mother who kindly waited with handmade ohagi of course. It was one of favorite sweets of beloved father, has smooth surface these days stroked with wet cotton cloth. “When we were young, it was a bigger ball like a full moon covered with a lot of little horns,” she always says with a smile.
Queen Mom, mother of Momo-chan
Or St. Valentine’s Day has come. Mei-Shun ordered much of that delicacy from a chocolatier located in western Tokyo. Bringing one among them chocolate-coated apple jelly, she visited her mother’s home for lunch joined by her elder sister. Time flew above these three women, chat after chat. By the way, that saint seems to prosper again in Europe these days.
Mei-Shun instructs Professor M in kabuki dance on Wednesdays. Actually, today is the first lesson in 2020 since the former was sickened on her left eyelid last month. Biscuit-colored silk kimono (thanks a lot, Shin) was planned to put on for celebrating new year, yet it seems too late in this second month. She therefore decided to use one of obi sashes Master Mei-Shu kindly left.
Mei-Shun and Professor M visited late Master Mei-Shu’s home invited by her husband. He is a good cook, served them gorgeous dinner including large sashimi plates. The former arrived a bit earlier, helped him to arrange flowers in front of master’s Buddhist-style altar. And she chose following below among dozens of 帯=obi sashes that charming lady used to put on for lessons.
The right end was her favorite.
Mei-Shun is currently giving lessons to Professor M in 梅の栄=ume-no-sakae, Prosperity like Plum Blossom. It was designated as the score for 名取 examination before she started her own lessons under the wings of Master Mei-Shu a decade before. Also the first performance on a stage, it reminds her of fresh days learning what kabuki dance is.
Mei-Shun is cordially appreciated to Shin, mother, mother-in-law and elder sister who celebrated her birthday. Just a word of congratulation would warm her heart, while his gift is always so gorgeous. Continued from last year, roses of spring sunset or a cappella, her late father called as his younger daughter, arrived in a silver pot. And oh, she won a turtle of happiness in this galette des rois.
Shin and Mei-Shun visited mother’s home of the latter today. She has one happy matter to report — her beloved father came back. That means 蝋梅=robai, Chimonanthus praecox descended from mom’s garden bloomed on his birthday January 1st. He must have reached 82 years old to enjoy golf, trekking and painting. Still, welcome back to us on such a cute, shining little flower.
One and a half year have passed since Mei-Shun said good-bye to Master Mei-Shu II. To profound gratitude of the former, Mr. O, husband of the late master, kindly invited her and Professor M to home tonight. They held a tiny party to celebrate 2019 going soon, their health and friendship tied over kabuki dance. Which of these three should be put on by your last 名取, sensei?
meishunkikunoe 