October recital

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014
It was another of Craig Shimizu Sensei's successful recitals.
Good lighting, sound, stage decorations, food and well presented
student numbers.  They are always fun (the MC is experienced and humorous and a good singer himself), and interspersed with comical numbers done by seriously talented singers.

I was blessed with a table
full of friends.

Janie and our naginata Sensei on
the right.

The guys.

  R and Mel came a little later, and Denise graciously sat at a neighboring table since we were full. 

My song, "Byakkotai" is usually
accompanied by Kembu
during the shigin part, but I just did
naginata movements throughout.

During my shigin, I was honored that Sensei did a light version of 'Shihogiri', a ceremonial kata.

Sensei used her 300 year old naginata and wore her black kimono which only those of 8th dan (rank) are allowed to wear.  I, being a mere 3 dan, wore my practice outfit.  Plus a fake ponytail on loan from my nice hairdresser.  I was lucky to be able to use Denise's naginata so my blade glinted as much as Sensei's.

The closing number was "Happy" from Despicable Me, sung by a Minion. Denise, Melinda,  Kalani (far right, half out of the photo)
and I were more than happy to dance to Cheryl's lively singing.

Relaxing at Mariposa
after the program, as
usual.

Poke (King salmon,
hamachi, ahi mix) and a
cold Martini.

Gelato dessert at Nordstrom's Gelato Bar.

Once Upon a Time.. Kenbu, Spanish dance, koto

                   ( Photos are from my Intermediate and High School years, a long time ago.)

Tito Cesar's Dance Academy
In our Jota costumes for a dance program.

Such dramatic poses.

Still have those castanets.

Kenbu satisfied my interest in  Japanese history.  We danced with a sword and     fan (kenbu),  or just fan(senbu).   Nagao Sensei sang the shigin, which is a Chinese style poem of a historical occurrence or a scenic description.

A performance at the Consulate with visiting Senbu teachers from Japan (in the brighter hakamas).  I was with the koto group so I had on my kimono.

Article on Nagao, Jundo Sensei's return from Japan after getting his degree from the Shingikan kenbu school and the Shinshinryu school of Shigin.

Our Okoto teacher was Mikami Sensei, who learned from Miyagi Michio, the famous blind koto musician who composed Haru no Umi.

Just for fun.
Our group, Suzurankai, put on a performance for Japanese Culture night at the UH Kennedy Theater.