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.
Kikunoe Ryu has been established by Mei-Shu I in 1992. She belonged to Otowa Ryu in Osaka for a long time. After her Master Kikuzo had passed away, kabuki actor Onoe Baiko VII advised her to become the leader of a new party of Japanese dance.
Today is the deadline to pay for coming stage of Mei-Shun. In Japanese tradition, notes for happy occasions are required to be new ones. We therefore have to see tellers at banks to change used notes. Some banks set a new-note-available ATM during busy seasons.
Mei-Shun visited Himeji Castle this weekend. After repair, some people ironically call it “shiro-sugi-jo” instead of “shira-sagi-jo” (=white castle looks like a beautiful egret), meaning too white one. They might prefer the clear contrast between black roof and white wall of normal Japanese castles.
We have 16 National Holidays per year. Respect-for-the-Elderly Day and Autumnal Equinox Day are set in September. The former is on the 3rd Monday, while the latter changes every year to balance current solar calender and older lunar one. On the two Equinox days, many people enjoy Japanese sweets called ohagi or botamochi, smooth rice balls coated with anko (=red bean jam) — both hagi and botan are names of flowers which respectively bloom in autumn and spring. Please find below hagi blossom in Mei-Shun’s garden.
Autumn is the best season to enjoy otsuki-mi, a moon-watching party. Tonight has the most beautiful full-moon, while the last super-moon of this year can be seen tomorrow. According to the weather forecast, a typhoon might affect Kanto area. Humm. May we see you, Ms. Moon?
