Mei-Shun received a DVD of her latest stage. She hesitated to see her own image last year, yet all different today – immediately open the package and sit down in front of the display. Maybe the spirit of shishi helped her for further practice and training. She found out much to be improved in her techniques. Thanks, darling.
Mei-Shun must have gained a weight after the performance. She clearly knows why – by eating too much. Mountains of tasty fruits and refreshments were shared in the waiting room; we brought home rest of them. A big box of her favorite cookies arrived. Oseki-han (=steamed rice with red bean) was waiting for her. Now, ten days have passed. Time to restart controlling herself!
Our party of Japanese dance is called “Ka-Shu no Kai” (after the previous name of Master Mei-Shu), from which two grand daughters of the Master and Mei-Shun performed in 邦楽発表会 this year. Mrs. S, a member of Ka-Shu no Kai, kindly sent us cute bouquets. Full of gratefulness, Mei-Shun picked up her and Master Mei-Shu to a nice café. It is very rare to see us enjoy chatting not in kimono.
Mei-Shun finished so-so stage. Thank you so much, Master Mei-Shu. Thanks a million, Shin. Please take her gratefulness, dearest friends.
The last lesson before the stage was given to Mei-Shun, with a little corrections and a sign of “Okay, go ahead and enjoy” from Master Mei-Shu. Rehearsal will be held on Saturday followed by Sunday’s performance.
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.
Mei-Shun sent 邦楽発表会 programs to ex-students of Master Mei-Shu. They do not come for lessons these days, yet when somebody in her class performs on the stage, almost every one of them comes together. We learn a lot from their kindness, don’t we?
Just 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.
Mei-Shun has recently found that she would be forced to put on a chon-mage wig during her performance on November 2. Chon-mage! You would see it only in samurai dramas or comedy shows. Young boys look all right after removing the shishi-shaped cap, yet women are … . Just a matter of sigh.
Mei-Shun rented a space for dance lesson at a nearby community center. For just 300 yen, she occupied 2 rooms removing wooden slide doors to make it stage-sized. Glass windows served as a big mirror. Great place to swing sarashi. Thanks a million to neighbors.
meishunkikunoe 