Japan 2016: Kumano, Kyoto, and Tokyo
CHERRY BLOSSOMS everywhere we went! Aikido with Motomichi Anno Sensei and Kiichi Hine Sensei at Funada Dojo near Shingu, Japan. In the Kumano region, we visited the Kumano Sanzan (Hayatama, Nachi, and Hongu), Oyunohara, Tamaki-jinja, Hana-no-Iwaya, and Ubu-ta jinja, Oni-gajo caves, Boki-do cave/onsen, and the Doro-kyo gorge. In Kyoto, we visited Myoshinji, the Philosopher's Walk, and Arashiyama. In Tokyo, we trained with Doshu at Hombu Dojo, and afterwards Michael received his 6th Dan certificate from Doshu. A visit to Shinjuku Gyoen before returning to California.
00:00 San Francisco to Osaka (Kansai)
00:19 Tanabe
00:34 Kozan-ji / O Sensei's grave
00:55 Shingu / Funada Aikido Dojo [Anno Sensei]
01:36 Kumano Hayatama Taisha
01:41 Hotel Urashima / Boki-do Onsen
01:56 Kumano Nachi Taisha / Nachi Waterfall
02:51 Okonomiyaki
03:19 Oyuno Hara
03:57 Kumano Hongu Taisha / Watarase Onsen
05:37 Doro-kyo Gorge
06:43 Mt. Tamaki / Tamaki Shrine
07:31 Jindaisugi tree
08:04 Funada Aikido Dojo [Hine Sensei]
08:20 Funada Aikido Dojo [Anno Sensei]
09:04 Funada Aikido Dojo [Anno Sensei]
11:01 Hana no Iwaya Shrine 11:01
11:40 Onigajo (Demon's Castle)
13:47 Ubuta Shrine
14:01 Anno Sensei
14:17 Shingu to Kyoto
14:34 Miyoshinji Temple
15:19 Philosopher's Walk (Cherry Blossoms!)
17:11 Daishin-in Temple
17:26 Arashiyama (Cherry Blossoms!)
19:32 Kyoto to Tokyo
19:42 Aikido Hombu Dojo / Rokudan presentation
20:08 Masako Mako Tahara
20:17 Happy Birthday!
20:32 Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens (Cherry Blossoms!)
Review & Room Tour of my Japanese Ryokan Stay: Is it Worth It?
I recently stayed at Ryotei Rangetsu, a traditional Japanese-style inn, in Arashiyama, Kyoto with my husband for one night during our Japan trip. It was truly a memorable experience because of the kaiseki (course meal) and bathes all in our room across the mountains. Watch this video to see if the 5-star price tag is worth it, as well as a peek into the courses we ate, what our room looked like, the sleeping arrangements, and most importantly our private baths! I also have a few tips to share in case you're seriously considering a stay at a Ryokan.
Shot by: Leah
Edit: Leah
Lens: Sony SEL1018 10-18mm
Camera (1): Sony a6500
Camera (2): Camera: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II (Black)
Tripod: Manfrotto Be Free Fluid Video Kit
Slappy delivers that fun, bouncy sound you can stream/download at:
Poppers and Prosecco by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Demonstration of Koto Techniques---Visit her website: KotoWithYoko.DennisF.us
Yoko demonstrates some of the techniques of playing the Koto. The strings are plucked with three picks, called plectrums, which are attached to the thumb and first two fingers. The pitch of the Koto is determined by the placement of the bridge or oji.
The Koto must be tuned for the key of each piece of music. There are no frets like a guitar. Yoko demonstrates pitch variation, including Hikiiro, Atooshi, and Oshihanashi. She also demonstrates Zuzu, Syu, Walen, Tsukiro, Utsu, Chirashi, Tremolo, Arpeggio and Glissandi.
Higashi Honganji, Kyoto Japan
The Higashi Hongan-ji Temple is conveniently located just a few blocks north of Kyoto Station. Higashi Hongan-ji is actually one of two Hongan-ji temples, the other being Nishi Hongan-ji (or West Hongan-ji), which is located just a few blocks away.
Getting there is pretty easy. It’s just a few blocks north of Kyoto station. You could easily walk this in about 10 minutes. If for any reason you’d rather take the bus, please check with the official website for Kyoto city transportation:
Official Higashi Hongan-ji website:
The Voyage by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
Artist:
Music by Adam Pacione
Contemporary Koto Music | Aya Asakura | TEDxKyoto
Aya Asakura evokes the soul-touching sounds of nature on the unique 30-string Japanese Koto in a masterful solo performance.
Aya Asakura
Koto music
Raindrops. Wind. Water flowing over rocks. Koto Music evokes images such as these. The koto has been played in Japan for over a thousand years and is the national instrument of Japan. The lilting, deceptively simple-sounding tones of the koto are as complex as they are meditative, and listening to a true master of this beautiful instrument can be a deeply moving experience. One such master is Aya Asakura. Aya was born in Tokyo and by the age of six had already begun learning how to play the koto. She continued to hone her skills studying performance, composition and musical theory under the late koto composer Miyashita Shuretsu. Aya went on to receive NHK Japanese music specialist training and was subsequently nominated for the This Year's Hope NHK award. Her performances have appeared on NHK international broadcasts, at NHK music festivals and at the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency Festival. She has also collaborated with The Spring of Contemporary Japanese Music to commemorate the one-hundredth year of Miyagi Michio and has performed with the Osaka Symphony Orchestra. In 1998 she released an original album entitled Aya. More recently, Aya holds workshops called Watching the Evening Sun at the Ryu-zen Sho-ho Temple in Higashiyama Kyoto, to which she invites a panoply of creative-minded individuals that include religious people, film directors, journalists, astrophysicists, philosophers, musicians, bureaucrats, diplomats and writers. With a unique style that combines the natural tones of rain and wind with a vast spectrum of vibrant color, Aya offers her audiences a moving, dazzling performance that is not to be missed.
朝倉彩
箏
多絃奏者として活躍する朝倉さんは、東京で生まれ、6歳から箏を始めました。作曲家・箏曲家である故・宮下秀冽氏に師事し、箏の演奏はもちろん、音楽理論、作曲も習得。NHK法学技能者育成会専攻科を修了し、NHK「今年のホープ」にも選ばれています。NHK国際放送およびNHK音楽祭、文化庁移動芸術祭参加公演など多数の演奏に参加。NHK芸術祭参加作品「火と水と祈り」「風花無限」への出演、宮城道雄生誕100年記念「現代邦楽の春」、大阪センチュリー交響楽団との競演ほか、30弦・26弦の多弦箏による独自の世界を展開しています。1998年にはオリジナルCD「彩」をリリース。彼女の生み出す音は、雨の音、風の音といった自然の音色から、数式を連想させる高度に抽象的な旋律まで幅広いスペクトラムを描きます。最近では、京都東山の霊山正法寺にて、宗教家、映画監督、ジャーナリスト、宇宙物理学者、哲学者、音楽家、官僚、外交官、作家などを招いた勉強会「夕陽を観る会」も主催、声明とのコラボレーション「日想観」の演奏も話題をよんでいます。
About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Cycling Route Preview: Kyoto to Saimyo-Ji Temple
Certainly one of the most scenic rides around Kyoto. On the way up into the mountains you can enjoy a small street with almost no cars to not get disturbed on the steep climb. Once up in the mountains you'll meet a large river riding alond downwards until you reach Saimyo-Ji temple. It's a little off the main road but well worth a visit. If you've got more time, Jingo-Ji temple nearby is even more famous and defintely worth spending some time there.
Find the tour on bikemap
You can find more tours on my website
Lady Gaga made rice cake peculiar to JAPAN Mochi-Tsuki
Lady Gaga made Japanese rice cake.
Her 「Sukkiri Yoisyo!!」 is so cute!!
Improvisation on Shakuhachi, bambu flute from Japan
Music by Antonio Olías Enzan
Dance Improvisation by Sharmini Tharmaratnam
Camera Alberto Espinosa, Place; Centro Tai San, Madrid
30/06/2013
女ひとり Onna Hitori....A Japanese song with lyrics and translation
For lyrics and translation click SHOW MORE
Vocals and Guitar......John Whitehead
Video editing...............Yuriko Whitehead
This song tells of a young woman who has become tired of disappointment in love. She visits three temples in Kyoto (the ancient capital of Japan) to seek peace and consolation. Much of the song describes the kimonos and obis that she wears.
Lyrics:
Kyoto Ohara Sansen-in
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
Yuki ni Shioze no sugaki no obi ga
Ike no mizumo ni yurete ita
Kyoto Ohara Sanzen-in
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
At Kyoto’s Ohara Sanzen temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Wearing a Yuki kimono with a simply dyed obi
Her reflection Shimmers on the surface of the pond
At Kyoto’s Ohara Sanzen temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Kyoto Togano no Kozan-ji
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
Oshima tsumugi ni tsuzure no obi ga
Kage o otoshita ishidatami
Kyoto Toga no Kozan-ji
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
At Kyoto’s Togano Kozan temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Wearing an Oshima weave kimono with a tsuzure weave obi
Casting a shadow over the paved pathway
At Kyoto’s Togano Kozan temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Kyoto Ranzan Daikaku-ji
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
Shiozawa gasuri ni Nagoya obi
Mimi o sumeseba taki no oto
Kyoto Ranzan Daikaku-ji
Koi ni tsukareta on-na ga hitori
At Kyoto’s Ranzan Daikaku temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Wearing a Shiozawa gasuri kimono with a Nagoya obi
If you listen, you will hear the sound of falling water.
At Kyoto’s Ranzan Daikaku temple
Stands the lone figure of a woman disappointed in love
Brian Tairaku Ritchie and Shakuhachi Club MKE - JERK
JERK
Brian Tairaku Ritchie - Shakuhachi (Taimu Frankenschwantz)
John Sparrow - Cajon
Dave Gelting - Bass
2011
Ken LaCosse - Video
Brian Tairaku Ritchie - St. James Infirmary (Traditional)
Brian Tairaku Ritchie - Prayer and Memorial Series (#5)
St. James Infirmary (Traditional)
1.9 Mujitsu Shakuhachi.
The Prayer and Memorial Series was recorded at the shop of shakuhachi maker Ken LaCosse using Taimu and Mujitsu Shakuhachi.
Video - Paul Rowland
Production - Ken LaCosse
© 2018 Mujitsu Productions
Touji five storied pagoda
Touji five storied pagoda
Day January 04, 2011. Japan - Kyoto, Ukyo Ward part 1. [1080p HD]
Day January 4, 2011.
Video rendered from shots made with Canon 5D Mark II. It features high resolution photos + motion in frame. (FHD)
Photos by Algirdas Grincius.
Taimu Shakuhachi Improv in an empty opera house
This was a building that I lived and trained in for 7 years at Indiana University (1992-1999). Well, I did not technically live there but I had 24-hour access and intimate knowledge of the labyrinthine bowels of the building since I was an audio recording student in addition to classical clarinet and jazz composition/bari sax/bass clarinet student. I created many recordings, practiced and rehearsed for hundreds of hours and watched a handful of performances from 10 floors above the stage at this opera house. The facilities at the MAC (Musical Arts Center) in Bloomington, Indiana are second only to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Or at least that fact was true in the 90's. Now I simply haunt the building from time to time on holidays when the building is completely void of people, as documented in this Taimu improv video from 2011:
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Cornelius is the first student of Grandmaster Michael Chikuzen Gould to have earned a Shihan (master teaching license) and was given the shakuhachi name 深禅 Shinzen (depth Zen or deep Zen). In addition to teaching, Cornelius has recorded and written, in shakuhachi calligraphic notation, a series of 27 etudes (mukyoku) for Taimu shakuhachi. He plays all types of flutes, but specializes in jinashi and large-bore shakuhachi.
Taimu are made by Mujitsu Shakuhachi in San Francisco and more information about Taimu and mukyoku can be found on this website:
Find the solo album of original Cornelius Boots compositions for Taimu shakuhachi:
cdbaby.com/corneliusboots
Visit corneliusboots dot com and sign up on the mailing list or contact Cornelius for online or in person lessons.