We have 12 animals to symbolize a year. 2015 is represented by sheep, written in Chinese character as “未”. It is the 8th symbol among “子” rat, “丑” ox, “寅” tiger, “卯” hare, “辰” dragon, “巳” serpent, “午” horse, “未”, “申” monkey, “酉” cock, “戌” dog and “亥” boar. Many Japanese people purchase symbol ornaments to celebrate the New Year.
During every new-year vacation, Mei-Shun bring her mother-in-law to a Yasaka Shrine in Tsuchiura, the headquarters of which is in Kyoto, closely related to Gi-On Festival. Since Tsuchiura branch is not registered in the navigation system of her car, Mei-Shun has to rely on mom’s memory. Well. She wishes it were good enough …
As one of entertainments of the new year, we have 百人一首, Poetry by 100 Celebrities. Each poem has 5+7+5+7+7=31 syllables. Players would remember the latter 7+7 part of a poem, look for and take the card on which it is written. A reader would help with the illustrated cards of whole poems. The winner is a player who takes the most number of cards, yet the real joy of this game seems to be in the reading.
Akemashite Omedeto; A happy new year! As one of representative menus of washoku (=traditional Japanese cuisine), please find osechi below.
The First Box
The Second
The Third (optional European/American Style foods)
2015 would be symbolized by sheep, which Mei-Shun has not yet prepared. Actually forgot to – she used to visit a stationery shop to order nengajo (=new-year greeting card) while choosing annual ornament. However, she found nicely designed nengajo at a post office this year. Well, where does our symbol walk around right now?
Mei-Shun has prepared Oseibo, an year-end gift, for Master Mei-Shu. As to Japanese traditional lessons including 茶道, 華道, 書道 and 舞 of course, students are supposed to bring Ochugen (=a summer gift) and oseibo to their masters, aside from monthly lesson fees. Some people let cash play the role of such gifts, yet Mei-Shun prefers sweets-sake combination, loved so much by Mr. and Mrs. Master.
Mei-Shu II gives lessons at her home in Tsuchiura, while visiting Tokushima once a month to instruct Kikunoe masters. Our current head Sen-Sha, a popular kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke V, took office in 2012. This spring, we held a long-expected stage in Tokushima honoring late Mei-Shu I.
In 2004, commemorating beloved Mei-Shu I, Kikunoe Ryu masters and students held a stage in Tokushima. Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro VII, accompanied by his son Kikunosuke V, gave his precious performance in front of the full-packed audience.
Mei-Shu I passed away for cancer in 2003. Her sudden leave caused a lot of trouble, including “robbery” of Kikunoe Ryu. Finally, the youngest sister Ka-Shu took after the name of Mei-Shu and the chairmanship of the board of directors.
In her hometown Tokushima, Mei-Shu I has founded Kikunoe Ryu. This name took kiku (=chrysanthemum flower) from late Master Kikuzo, while noe (=above) from the heading family O-noes. Mei-Shu I rejected to head Kikunoe; she knew how hard it was to keep a school of Japanese dance. Instead, she assumed the office of the chairwoman of the board of directors.
meishunkikunoe 