A few posts ago, I was kind of cryptic about some good happenings in my life. This is why: I was on the Japanese TV show 世界!ニッポン行きたい人応援団, and I could not reveal any details until the episode aired. If you're not familiar with it, the show is about foreigners who have a specific interest in Japanese culture. I have been playing the shamisen for about 5 years now, and I love everything about the instrument, so I decided to submit an application later last year. I was previously passed up, so I figured that I was out of the running probably, but they contacted me about being interviewed in early April. At that time, I did not know that I would be chosen to actually go to Japan. The reaction to their invitation is definitely 100% real!
For my episode, we traveled to Shiga and mostly spent time at Marusan Hashimoto to see how the silk strings for traditional instruments (like the shamisen, koto, biwa, etc.) are made. It was an amazing process, and I plan on giving a more in-depth explanation on this blog - so please look for it in the near future!
The biggest surprise is at the end, but I do not want to spoil the episode, so please watch it (above)! I come in around 10m30s.
This week was much more successful than the previous one. We focused on the tegoto and atouta of Miyama Jishi (御山獅子), and I was able to complete the song. It's certainly not presentation worthy, but for lesson purposes, it is complete. It's definitely one of those pieces that I would like to visit again in the future by myself because while it is difficult now, it may not be so hard as my skill improves.
To recap the lesson, I am happy to say that there were not really any points where I truly struggled. I am most pleased that I was able to do the tuning changes more swiftly. I am finally starting to be able to have the muscle memory for how far I need to turn the itomaki. I probably should have been able to do that better long ago though...
We will have a two week break in lessons because my sensei will be going out of town. Please check back then!
Sensei wanted me to do the maeuta from Miyama Jishi this week mostly by myself, and I failed spectacularly at that. I actually practiced (what I thought was) fairly well this past week, but due to my work schedule, I was unbelievably tired by the time I got home from work today. Two Redbulls later, and I still felt like I was dragging! That certainly wasn't the healthiest option, and it failed anyway... I am grateful that sensei is always very patient with me, even when it is obvious that I am not doing well for whatever reason or another. Once we played together, and I tried to repeat the section back, there was a decent amount of improvement. I feel like part of the issue is that I second guess myself when she asks me to play on my own first. I need to trust myself a little more in that regard.
Next week, we are going to work on the tegoto. Most of that doesn't cause me too much trouble with this piece, but the chirashi and naka-chirashi are a little tricky for me.
There was a purposeful 2 week gap between the last lesson and this one. I wish I could share more information at this time, but it will have to remain a secret for a few weeks longer! ;)
I feel like this week was mostly a "refresher" kind of lesson since we had the two week gap. I am grateful because I did not have really any time to practice at all for over a week. We played each piece of the song together, and there really wasn't any part with which I felt that I particularly struggled, but some of the singing and playing in the maeuta and atouta were a little tricky due to speed and rhythm. I'll have to practice those parts more diligently since I need to be able to play most of this song on my own next week.
It's a little belated, but here is the sheet music for Miyama Jishi (御山獅子).
