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Feb. 24th was a busy day for us, as we learned about traditions in the Japanese theater, dress, and tea ceremony.
The Noh Theater
We began our day meeting with Yuki Ujihara-san (left) and took a brief tour of the public theater for the Noh in the Saitama prefecture.
We had no hopes of meeting with any actors because usually visitors are not allowed to, but Yuki Ujihara-san used to be a student of this Master of the Japanese Drum, and when he saw her in the theater, he invited all of us for a short performance and lesson.
In the world of the Noh he is their most honored. It was a rare privilege to be in his presence.
His name as a Noh Master is Kanze Shinkuro san. His given name is Miyamasu Shinichiro san.
We all tried this drumming technique, which proved to be incredibly difficult.
Noh is a major form of classic Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. It evolved from various popular, folk and aristocratic art forms, including Dengaku, Shirabyoshi, and Gagaku. Noh has been slow and stylized for several centuries with roots that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty's Nuo, Sarugaku and folk theatricals.
By tradition, Noh actors and musicians never rehearse for performances together. Instead, each actor, musician, and choral chanter practices his or her fundamental movements, songs, and dances independently or under the tutelage of a senior member of the school. Thus, the tempo of a given performance is not set by any single performer but established by the interactions of all the performers together. In this way, Noh exemplifies the traditional Japanese aesthetic of transience, called by Sen no Rikyu "ichi-go ichi-e".
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Later that afternoon, we met with this charming Tea Ceremony teacher, beauty salon owner and Noh performer, Mariko Imade san, whom invited us to her home for lessons in Japanese dress and tea ceremonies.
Traditions in Japanese dress - the kimono.
The word "kimono" literally means "thing to wear" (ki "wearing" and mono "thing").
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.
Turning Japanese, I think we're turning Japanese...
...We really think so.
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Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony is a social event and sometimes a religious experience, which stresses aesthetics.
An informal tea ceremony, known as chakai, consists of serving a sweet and some tea, or even a small meal with the sweet and tea.
The steps to the ceremony are to clean the serving bowls, boil a pot of water, serve a sweet treat to guests (before the tea), mix powdered bitter green tea (Matcha) and water to make a frothy tea, and serve tea to guests.
The flavors of the sweets and the bitter tea compliment each other - a sign of harmony.
Yuki Ujihara san (left) and Dorito-san (right) drinking tea.
- Bow when you receive the cup of tea which is called a chawan.
- Take the chawan with your right hand and place it in the palm of your left hand.
- Turn the chawan clockwise three times before you take a drink.
- When the tea is gone, make a loud slurp to tell the host that the tea was truly enjoyed.
- Wipe the part of the chawan your lips touched with your right hand.
- Turn the chawan counterclockwise and return to the host.
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The best part of the day...
...was saved for last.
Otanjo bi omedeto.
Arigatou Gozaimasu.
