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bekijk ook het algemene dagverslag van 6 - 15 september | 16 - 30 september | 1 - 15 oktober | 16 oktober - 4 november lees ook het persoonlijke dagverslag van Hans | Hendrik | Cora | Julius Dagboek: door Cora Bos-Kroese (ballet) (updated until: 01-11-2003) Sunday October 5th, Monday October 6th 2003 At Schiphol we meet Wil, Junko, Julius and his Japanese girlfriend. Julius has way too much luggage and has to check in and out in order to repack. After a sad goodbye to Joris, my husband, we finally rush to our gate, leaving the Dutch team behind. Waving the famous 12x Holland flag! We have a good but long flight to Fukuoka. It was exciting to touch Japanese soil at last. We were picked up by Aki Oseki-san, who drives us to our Hotel. He takes us to an casual restaurant, were we have a wonderful time eating tofu dishes and drinking beer, getting to understand more about the Hirado history. Julius and me are very happy to get some sleep before continuing our journey… Tuesday October 7th 2003 We start the day with a miso-soup and rice ball. We enjoy the drive to Hirado very much through the landscape, along the coast. Many rice fields and mountains with different types of trees and bamboo. We cross the Golden Gate bridge of Hirado at about 12 o’clock, time for lunch. We sit by the seaside of the harbor in the 12xHolland pavilion, the 'Carillon'. Hirado comes across as a very pleasant town, and the people are very warm and friendly. After sorting out our apartments and bicycles we meet many people who are helping with the organization. Tycho the Dutch cultural coordinator, helps us with the small details of computers to mobile telephones. My apartment is up a hill….too hard for my bike to handle, but I like the view and being a bit out of the noisy city downtown. At 5:30 we take the boat with Jô-san and Shinozaki to view Hirado’s bridge and harbor to arrive too early at our welcoming party! After a small and informal speech and translations we meet all the people we will work together with for the coming month. The food is beautifully prepared and we toast to our exciting time to come. Music gets played and Julius is behind the drums joining the fun. Its hard to remember all the Japanese names, but that will hopefully come as time passes. Wednesday October 8th 2003 A beautiful sunny day, with blue sky. Slowly the realization of having arrived in Japan had hit me. We have our first meeting at the Matsura Historical Museum, about Jazz Night. Julius will perform with a band and we will also do a drum and dance duet. I stroll through the museum, and walk down the ancient stairs , leaving me with a very peaceful feeling. Walking around the small street of Hirado with its shops filled with many things to buy buy buy… yet I wait for another day. We meet Eiko, Tycho and Katsura to visit the castle up on the hill. A wonderful view of the city and harbor from the windy top. Julius and me learn how to wash your hands, before entering a shrine and pull a fortune message from the 100 yen machine. I have medium luck! Julius had plenty of good luck! We go to the supermarket with full explanation of the different products, since all of it is in Japanese. I love the way the Japanese package their items, always so beautiful and with so much care. I go to the Cultural Center to practice a bit, I feel crunchy after the flight, but I know that its important to get my body in form. In the evening a whole bunch of us go to the hot spring baths. Men and woman separate. Rinako and me enjoy the mud bath outside with the nearly full moon above, surrounded by rocks and trees. Afterwards I have a lazy chair and foot massage, another great Japanese invention. Feeling tired and happy we all walk to the beach in front of the hotel complex to sit and cool down. Thursday October 9th 2003 Downhill on my bike was much better than up! Entering the town was very quiet and enchanting. Everybody saying "Konnichiwa" (hello), with a smile. After a meeting about the schedule, I trained at the cultural center. I met up with Kimako and went to the temple where Julius and I will have our first performance. A beautiful long stone staircase leads you up to the temple, surrounded with bamboo and trees. I decide to start my solo on a big rock, then slowly meandering my way on a stone path, up some stairs to the temple. After everybody gets inside I’ll start my solo. Machida arrives, he is one of the initiators of the 12xholland exchange program. I ask him to accompany me with his flute for the beginning. He asks "piazola?" I say "no, just making atmospherical sounds", he said he would try! In the evening I have my first workshop with the dancers I will make a choreography for. They meet me outside full of excitement and enthusiasm. We started with a warm-up which was welcomed with much giggling from the 8 girls and one boy. I did lots of exercises with them ie. one in front leading the whole line, the studio being small, they kept bumping and more laughter! I started creating some movements in a circle, after discovering what they are capable of. They are very good for the little time they are dancing, from a half till a year aprox. We all had a lot of fun together. Afterwards I go to a pizza place with Rinako, the translator, together with some English teachers from the schools (non-Japanese), who are learning Japanese here. Friday 10 October 2003 After my training I bike around Hirado, buy some packaged sushi and sit on the wharf over looking the port, enjoying the hot weather. Watching the boats come and go, it’s great by the sea. Tycho and Miyuki take me to my first Nichibu lesson-Japanese traditional dance with Kitani. She welcomes us in front of her house in a kimono. First I get a kimono to wear and Kitani wraps me in the Obi, making a beautiful package of me. After choosing the music we begin to learn the dance with a fan. Very precise with a lot of small detail, to hands, gaze and placement. Afterwards we enjoy some tea together. Her house is very authentic, with tatami mats and screens. In the evening Julius and I had our first Shodo lesson, Japanese calligraphy. Tateishi, the teacher welcomes us in his house and Katsura is our translator. We sit on cushions for the total of our two hour lesson, which is difficult for us westerners, we shift and stretch a leg here and there. Tateishi is a wonderful man, with a lot of explanation about the characters, their history and development through time. Interesting stories unfold for us with him drawing the characters with ink and brush. In the end we could try our chosen character, mine being 'dance' and Julius 'drumming'. We will practice more the next time. The art being true to the balance between the white of the page and the black ink, and to develop one’s own style and interpretation. Saturday October 11th 2003 Today I had to teach ballet to young children, who are also learning this as hobby. It was wonderful seeing them all get ready in their outfits, with frilly skirts, and pink tights. Some joined in for the first time. Their mothers filming and watching. We did exercises at the barre, nice and slow and easy. In the center I let them bourre 'high on their toes' across the floor, and waltz, down, up, up, down, up, up around in a circle. To finish they played with balloons to the music which they loved most of all! After them I had a smaller group of older students, who I challenged with a few more difficult exercises than they’re used to. Like turns in the center, and some jetes and chenes… they did great, they had ballet class before but its always hard to know what they have done or not. But now I’ll know for next time I have them again. I enjoyed working with all the children, and students today, I left exhausted and happy. Sunday October12th 2003 Slept in-free day! Got on my bike and took off into the countryside. Rice fields, layered on the slopes, with the sea in the distance, little houses with screens, with a tractor and shed next to it. Concrete buildings, and electrical wires dot the landscape, and advertisements here and there with Japanese characters. Beautiful views when I reach the top of a hill, sweaty from the humidity in the air. Up I walk the bike and down I whiz, the wind in my hair. People in their cars smiling at my strenuous efforts. I see the very first tea plantation of Japan! At one point I realize that I’ lost my way, I ask a small farmer and his wife… I am very tall here. Without a word of Japanese I still understand him and he me, giving me directions, after he realizes that I’m biking I shouldn’t go over the mountain pass! Ending up in the small harbor town of Kawachi, I watch the fishermen in complete outfits and gear fish, from the pier. Continuing along the coast I stop at the sea view Ranch, where I meet the Champion horse and Western rider of Japan. He speaks good English, and we speak as he saddles up. I watch him as he rides and controls his horse 'Kasper Quixote' in speedy turns and slide stops- very impressive, with a beautiful view of the sea in the backdrop. When I reach Hirado town, I stop for a good noodle soup. On the harbor front I watch families fishing. Decided to relief my muscles by relaxing in the Onsen-baths in one of the hotels along the wharf. One bath is inside with huge Aquariums with sea-turtles and fish, while you scrub and wash you watch them as they look at you! I felt a little sorry for them! The second bath was outside with a view of the sea. When a boat passes one quickly slips into the bath so that the fishermen cannot see! A quick sit in the magical massage chair to finish the day, an iced coffee from the machine, before hitting the road for that last push up the hill!! Monday October 13th 2003 Eiko picked me up since it was raining today! Worked for myself, preparing for tonight’s rehearsal. Had lunch with Oseki-san at the Carillon café, before meeting up with Julius, Tycho and board of important people to talk about the reconstruction of Dutch Trading House. They wanted our opinions and ideas about it. What would be good for this to be an attraction for tourists, the people of Hirado, and what could this mean for 12xholland in the future. Our ideas ranged from, painting clogs, children’s farm, to museum, and live activities and performances. It would also be good to have it be educational, showing the differences between Holland and Japan. Tateishi fell asleep, yet when he woke up, could he talk! The project will hopefully be ready in 2007, that’s if they get the support and money needed. Went to the temple again with Oseki, Machida and Julius, to discus and try some things. The weather is rainy and windy... so I don’t know if I’ll be dancing outside, we shall see. Walked down many stairs to the sea, magical. Around the bay it was windy and the sea was rough. Went to eat a bite in a strange restaurant wit a fish pool behind the bar in the floor. With very little ability to read the menu, I got a good tofu soup. There was a man at the bar, happy with his whisky, entertaining me.’Single?’, ‘want some whisky?’, ‘you, beautiful!’, it was fun, and in the end he paid for my soup! And I made a deal to learn to cut sashimi from the cook, next time. We had a lot of fun again with my dance group. The girls have to catch the one and only boy Kei. Teaching them different foot combinations, and rhythms, is very different to their usual hip-hop stuff. Jukie, the translator, bought me home, she loves dance and is very sweet to me. Tuesday October 14th 2003 In the morning we all, Julius, Tycho, Machida, Oseki, and some photography journalist meet early at the city hall to meet the mayor of Hirado. We speak of 12xholland, the Dutch trading house, and a little history of the religion on the island, the mayor is Catholic. It is very important that the Dutch trading house gets reconstructed , they are waiting for the big okay for its financial support. I train for myself at the Commercio, before having lunch on Hans Reijnders sculptured chair. A small Japanese man joins me, and speaks of Hans. I show him my schedule of 12xholland which he studies intently. He buys me a sweet cake, which is a specialty from here. I walk around the back streets of the town before returning to the city hall where we can do our emails. As I email Joris, I hear from Tycho that Julius is not feeling well! We have a performance tonight!! I have a wonderful lesson with Takani (Kitani, red.) my Japanese dance teacher. I have to flip my fan and catch it, I drop it once... I hope this goes well when I have to perform this at the last performance. We have some tea after our lesson, and chat. My costume is a problem since I’m too tall, they don’t have one that big. On my way home bought some sewing things, the man in the shop spoke good English and we had a nice talk. I really enjoy speaking with the people here. Went to the Temple early so that we could prepare some things. The path was lit with many lanterns. Inside some people were preparing lanterns which school children made from Balloons with papier-mâché. All because I said the lighting was not atmospheric, neon. Julius was fine after sleeping, the weather was good so I could dance outside starting on a rock... continuing up the chairs and into the temple. Guiding the people inside, there I danced on the tatami floor. It was a very magical experience for me. Machida playing beautifully on his flute! Julius performed a great drum solo. The Zen monk from the temple got up and asked Julius to play the Diako drum with him. After a while he even corrected him on where he should hit the drum with sticks! Then we realized that he was very happily drunk. Julius continued with a cd to accompany him, he introduced his imaginary players. The monk went to get a cd of his own! I joined in on a very exhausting lively number, and later when the monk wanted to dance, I joined him on Nat King Cole, very funny show, at least the audience laughed and had fun. Somehow it became like a game, less formal. I really loved dancing in such a special location, something I’ll never forget. Also seeing all the shoes on the stone steps being counted to see how many people came... 100! A great night. With a group of people we went to an Isakare restaurant, enjoying the food, the sake, served in a square wooden cup with salt, and the company of these great people! Many jokes crossed the table of the famous monk who enjoyed having us in his house, maybe to add him in our next performances! Wednesday October 15th 2003 Practiced in the studio by myself in the morning. Met up with Tycho for lunch at the city hall. A very good meal for not too much money. Chatted about all the difference in the culture between Japan and Holland. At one I got picked up by Makiko, and the director from the school where I will give my first workshop for 9-12 year olds, non dancers. The drive to Neshiko was beautiful, the director making a little sightseeing tour for me along the coast. We stopped for a picture here and there. Stopped at the famous Neshiko beach were I wet my feet, covered in sand I stepped into the car. The school overlooked the bay, very idyllic! The children met me in their big school gym, all lined up, in their gym outfit with little red caps. Introduced myself and started with warming up of the bodies, occasionally someone got cramp, when stretching their feet! Slowly I showed them some Ballet positions, arms, transference of weight. Running from the corner and making big jumps one by one, turning, they were laughing and having fun. Waltzing, skipping, and finishing with some games, 1, 2, 3 freeze. I let them move me into any position they wanted. Then they wanted me to dance! I danced one classical improvisation for them. Showed them my point shoes and let them try them on. They performed for me their Soran Bushi dance, a fishing song from Hokkaido, wearing beautifully painted handmade jackets. When they finished and took some pictures together, they gave me one! A great experience! Had some green tea before going back to Hirado, again with a sightseeing tour through the countryside. The headmaster buying Makiko and me a fish pasta delicacy. Back at the city hall I jump on my bike to go home and rest. Thursday October 16th 2003 Had a relaxing morning doing some washing and cleaning, before heading to the Saikyouji temple. Bump into Julius, and we exchange our workshop experiences, and busy schedules. It’s very peaceful at the temple, and there are many big bamboo trees. A path with many dressed Buddha statues, before getting to the three story red building over looking the town from another perspective. Inside a woman guides me in the basement in the dark before reaching a lit Buddha, from what I understand it’s for the womb! Have a take out lunch in a park over looking Hirado from yet another side. Go and meet Oseki and his family sitting in the sun at the Carillon. He invites me to come along to the highest northern mountain. The view is great from up there, very far to many islands, mountains and bays. We get to see many butterflies, so beautiful, light blue and orange colored. It’s the time of year, they gather here, before they migrate. In the evening I have my dance group again. It was a difficult rehearsal for me, somehow I had a hard time to be creative and concentrate, it happens. I also tried difficult things with counts and groups, starting one after the other, and this always takes time! Next time I’ll try and be more prepared. Friday October 17th 2003 Jukie joins me in my private rehearsal. We do a barre and center together, its nice to have someone there, it stimulates each other. I have to practice and prepare for the performance tomorrow. I get measured in the Nichibu class, because they want to find a big enough kimono for me to wear! The dance rehearsal goes well, I only have one more bit to learn, then I will know the whole dance. It’s very nice to do, and Kitani leaves me to do it more and more by myself. The musicality is a bit tricky still, I sometimes want to go too fast! At 18pm I meet Tycho and Julius for a Japanese musical performance at the Cultural Center. It’s a very traditional piece, the dancing, and the drama is enjoyable, but the long episodes of text is hard to sit through since we cannot understand anything. Tycho has a laughing attack, because Julius has very dry humor. Julius and me rush off after the show to our Shodo lesson, with Tateishi. Rinako translates. We have a lot of fun today, because we can do many characters. I practice the character ‘dance’ and ‘ma’, which means moment. He shows us how to hold the brush and how some parts need to be thick and others lighter and so that one can see the brush stroke. We make many and he’s very encouraging. Rinako brings me home, because it’s late and very cold. Saturday October 18th 2003 Today will be a busy day for me. I walk down to town, to practice for myself. I grab a bite to eat and sit by the sea in the sun, to relax. I have Ballet class, first with the young ones and later with the oldies. I have a new translator- Aosaki. The little wee ones are gorgeous in their outfits, I could eat them up! Many more students come this time, one woman and her daughter drived 3 hours to get here! We do floor exercises, barre, and center. Then I get them in a circle to do some fun stuff, jumping, skipping, and some ‘follow me’ dancing to the music. Then they can move me in any position they like, they laugh and enjoy seeing me like a puppet! With the older dancers I give more difficult things, teaching them also to relax and enjoy to move freely in the space. We do turning waltzes from the corner like Kitri! Even some, step Grande jetes. Oseki and Eiko pick me up to go to the south Hirado Community Center, for the performance. On our way we stop for a small bite to eat, Oseki slurps his noodles well! He says you have to develop the slurping muscle in Japan. The light is beautiful as we drive through the countryside, the farmers working hard, it’s harvest time. At the place where we shall perform we decide what order of the program. I try the floor and am very happy that it’s not too slippery! I warm up well, and try some things. People arrive and sit on the floor mats after taking off their shoes. Machida gives an introduction speech and I begin with a classical solo to the music of Amelie, the movie score. Julius drums his heart out and then does some clapping exercises with the audience. He plays a few jazz numbers with CD, ending with ‘ Fly me to the moon’. I finish the evening with a contemporary solo, starting on stage, working my way down through the audience, along a wall, and out the hall doorway. The kids loved it when you get close to them while dancing. It was a nice evening in this small community center. We got invited to a bar, for drinks, they kept your glass full. First some beer and then the strong stuff, Japanese whisky! We had a lot of fun singing Karaoke! Tycho was great in the Japanese love songs! After every song the TV gave you a score and revealing a naked lady, the better you were, the more was shown! Machida sang with much emotion, and Julius is better at drumming! Sunday October 19th 2003 The sun is shining as I wake up in my apartment, and it’s a free day. After a relaxing morning puttering around, doing my house chores. I meet with Michiru and her son, Yohe. Driving south through the beautiful landscape. She takes me to a School Sports day, where her husband is taking pictures, like my husband Joris, he is also a photographer. I dance with the children on the big field! Clapping and skipping around in circles. We continue more south of the island and visit a friend of hers. We enjoy Banana cake, freshly baked, with coffee and fruits, sitting on the tatami mats, around a low table. They let me shop in their shop next door, and I buy a straw hat, that the farmers wear and some tengui, cloths they use for cooking. The mother of her friend gives me her own tengui, with her name on it, as a gift! Drove on to her parents house, where we had fresh sashimi, made from the fish her father had caught that day. We picked up her older son, Diasuke and drove back to Hirado to have dinner. Had a lot of good food, beer, much laughter and good fun with the two kids. Her sister and husband joined us later, and the guy from the restaurant entertained us with his guitar and songs. I really had a great day! Monday October 20th 2003 Walked over the hill, another way to town, to train by myself. Went to Hirado Junior High School, to teach a workshop, to girls only, aged 15-16. I did my usual introduction, then warm-up exercises, and stretches. Then I slowly teach them ballet positions, and then the fun stuff. But this time the bell rings much sooner than I had expected, after 45 minutes. So we didn’t really get to do the fun stuff, like turning or jumping. A pity for them, yet they still seemed to enjoy the class. Had a quiet and relaxing afternoon. In the evening, I had the dance group, this time in a big gym. Which was much better for me and them. Jukie and Tomoko joined in for fun. We got a lot cleaned up, and the kids were great. Yet my choreography needs some work. Right now it’s too slow, but we have time to make it more interesting! Rinako, the translator invites me to her house, for a drink and a snack, after the rehearsal. Her boyfriend, Adrian joins us. Her parents are in the room next door, watching a movie on tv. We listen to music, and talk. Adrian is also a DJ, and tells me how small the club is where he works, as big as a living room! Tuesday October 21st 2003 I thought that I had lost the digital camera, from 12xholland! With much relief Oseki found it in the back of his car, where it had fallen out of my bag. Now Tycho doesn’t trust me anymore! Worked for myself at the Cultural Center, and had a nice lunch in the sun, at the Carillon. We then had a short meeting, discussing the coming performances, and schedule. There is a lot to be organized, concerning, pick-ups, translators, and everyone is participating voluntarily, outside their busy daytime jobs. They definitely work hard here in Japan. Finished learning my Japanese dance with Kitani. So now I will have to work hard for the performance, when I’ll dance it. We always have tea, and cake after the lesson finishes and chat. At 5 o’clock Michiru, picks me up at my house, with her two kids. We shop, and cook together at her house. She teaches me how to make a wonderful homey Japanese soup, with vegetables, chicken balls and tofu. I have to chop and knead the balls. We have a lot of fun, her kids running around and playing. Friends of hers, and her husband joins us. We drink sake, and have cake for dessert. Later in the evening she brings me home, which is quite a drive! Yohe, wants desperately to come with us, there is love there! It was a great evening. Joris calls me from Holland, I miss him, and wish he could be here to share these wonderful moments with me, and meet all these new friends I made so far. Wednesday October 22nd 2003 I got picked-up by the headmaster, from Himosashi Elementary School, together with Makiko. It was a half hour drive, south of the island. We had some green tea, in the headmasters office, before teaching 23 pupils, around the ages of 9 and 10. Only four of them being boys! We stretched and warmed-up their little bodies. I always fall in love with a few of them, their big eyes looking at every move you make. We played the mirroring game, where one has to copy exactly what the other does. We acted out different animals, from gorilla to bird and octopus! They had a lot of fun watching me make a fool of myself! I showed them fouettes, which is executive turns, grand jetes and showed my pointe shoes. Makiko and I joined them for their school lunch. I was warned for the ‘nato’, fremented beans, very healthy, yet it made these gewey strings which made it hard to eat. It didn’t taste too bad, but I wouldn’t call it my favorite! It was great to sit behind one of those small school desks eating together with them. They all cleaned up their plates and trays, shook my hand one by one and said goodbye. Met up with Yoriko, Machida’s daughter, together with Makiko, to choose which music she can accompany me with for Haiku performance. We chose short sections from Debussy. I will choose some Hiaku poems from Santoka as inspiration point, to dance to. In the evening Oseki picked me up to take me to his home for dinner. We drove a different route, another great view of Hirado, from the other side. He showed me his private beach close to his house before dark. He loves his nature, and I enjoy it too. At his home, Eiko was busy in the kitchen preparing the meal, her son Waterloo helping her. I looked at old pictures of them getting married, in both Kimono and white wedding dress, really beautiful. Oseki also showed me a historical book filled with old pictures, showing the history of the island, which he put together. Julius arrived and we chatted about so many impressions and differences we are experiencing here. Comparing Japan and Dutch culture, inschools, cooking and way of life. Realizing how many different cultures live in Holland and how that influences our society. The food was excellent we couldn’t stop making and eating the different sushies. Plus we had some wonderful soup made of chicken and Bento, seaweed. Not to forget drinking sake… We went on the internet to see my mans website- http://homepage.mac.com/jorisjan which Oseki liked, especially his Japan travel photos. It was a great evening, both Julius and me left with happy and full tummies! Thursday October 23rd 2003 Jukie picked me up and joined me for my private rehearsal time. We did some Yoga first, since I needed to take the time for my back, which is a little stiff. Then we did a Ballet barre, occasionally advising her a little, on her posture, and breathing through her body, instead of blocking. I prepared my Hiaku solos, and for tonight dance group piece. It was good to have feed back from her. Sometimes it’s hard to figure everything out for one self. Had lunch with Tycho at the city hall, looking at dirty Japanese magazine, which was lying there! Together with Makiko we watched some school dance practice before teaching a workshop at the Hirado Junior High School. The girls were giggling and dancing together, jumping off the stage. It was fun to watch. My workshop was short, so packed my lesson in, giving them turns and jumps. They were a bit too shy now and again, but I realized they were at that crucial age of 14-15. Yoriko and Makiko bought me to a Japanese Chiropractor for my back, he said that my muscles were not balanced from left and right. But the bones are fine, just need to stretch my thighs more. I didn’t need to pay, another gift from Japan to 12xholland! The three of us went to Yorikos place to practice for Hiaku event. Makiko will read each Hiaku in Japanese, then English, before I dance with music, each poem. The three woman, Charlies Angels! In the evening, I had the dance group again. This time I had found some music, half an hour before, which they can count easily. So we had to make a few adjustments to the choreography. I got a little muddled with my counts, but we all made it work in the end. The piece is slowly taking shape and the dancers are great! Went to strange but great bar for a bite and drink, together with Rinako and Adrian. They serve good food there, we had Tempura, a bit of sashimi and some pork sausages. Friday October 24th 2003 Had a very exciting Nichibu lesson today, since Kimiko arrived with a very beautiful Kimono for me! Kitani also gave me a new fan, and Miyuki and I went to buy the white little socks with the big toe separated! So my outfit is complete, and big enough. Practicing my dance, Kitani gave me a few corrections, to be more soft and delicate. It’s very specific and refined and difficult to get, yet I’m enjoying the dance a lot. Together with, Yoriko and Makiko we went to the Cultural center to practice for our performance, on stage. It’s fun to work on something together with the people from here. Katsura picked me up in the evening for our last Shodo lesson. He gave me a gift, a photo of me during one of the performances here, framed. Also a cute little rabbit, wearing a kimono, made of material. It will be my good luck charm for my nichibu dans! In shodo class we made our own stamp, with the help of the master, Tateishi! It was a little tricky, but it turned out quite good, I think. Eiko also joined us, she had bought her own stamp-making kit two years ago. Saturday 25 October 2003 Met up with Eiko, Julius, Adrian and Tycho at the corner of Kimiko’s house to watch the Ochunchi dance, celebrating harvest time. The men danced with the long dragon, sweeping and running with it, letting smoke come out from its mouth. While children, all dressed up with cute hats, clapping their symbols, and the older ones hitting the drums with their sticks. Then we watched the parade pass, with many people dressed in different costumes, some in warrior, some in white, some in authentic work clothes. Taking many pictures, we recognized a student, or person we knew from the activities we have here. We all went up to the Matsura Historical Museum to enjoy a real tea cermony. All the women dressed in their kimonos. A very impressive sight in the morning sun, in the gardens of the museum. We are escorted into a teahouse with only another couple. There we sit and wait, for it to begin. They prepare the tea and explain a little about the ritual and how it was done in the old days. When they didn’t trust the guest to be good, they held onto their fan, to be used as a weapon to protect themselves, or close the screen door. They told us to relax as we sat on our knees, which us westerners have a very hard time in doing! Every move and preparation is done precisely and with much care, as we watch her whisk the green powder and serve the tea for us. How to hold the cup and turn it before drinking. We join a bigger group in another room for another tea ceremony, this time passing the cup to the next person, after whipping the cup with a napkin. Afterwards we have a lunchbox lunch in another room filled with lot of different things. At 2pm I meet Yoriko, and Makiko to get ready for our Hiaku performance. I chose 6 haikus: Rainfalls, I walk in my home town, Barefoot. Well, which way should I go? The wind blows. My heart is weary, The mountains, the sea, Are too beautiful. The mountain stillness, Makes the rain still. Slightly tipsy; The leaves fall one by one. Cherry blossoms blooming, Cherry blossoms falling, Dancers dancing. (all by Santoka.) It was really a wonderful experience, and we enjoyed doing it together, so we even will do it again for tomorrows performance. Jullius also chose some hiakus for his drum solos. At one point a drum falls, Machida runs out to help, but realizes that it’s part of the act, since the haiku was about being drunk! Julius performed really well, so we packed up and felt good about our event concerning haiku! Sake night at Kimiko’s house! Her husband gave us a tour of their sake factory, which is 110 years old. Then we joined the many guests in her house. She had ordered plates of delicious food, and lots of sake kept pouring into my small cup! Enjoyed the company, and my friend Michiru also came which was great. Talked, laughed and drank merrily. Later Eiko, Michiru and me walked to the Carillon café to listen to some live music, and slowly we drifted home, after a good party atmosphere. Sunday October 26th 2003 Oh boy did I feel my head at 6 am! Got up and drank lots of water with an aspirin to calm the pain, much deserved! Slept some more, to wake up and freshen myself up for a new day. Went to stretch and do some yoga, slowly coming alive… Met Machida, who took me to a temple where there was a special day of traditional dances, which happens only once a year, also celebrating the harvest time. It was peaceful at the temple and very interesting to watch. They dance a total of 24 dances throughout the day, in different costumes and with different attributes, including spears and swords. Machida took Julius, Yoriko and me to Tabira to perform again. Yoriko and me doing our Haiku event, with Machida reading the haiku’s in Japanese and English, it went well. Julius performed drum solo and then joined a Taiko group of girls, which went well too. We stayed to watch a Jazz dance school perform, from young to old. It was great to watch flash dance, especially the wee little ones were the best for me. Afterwards joined some friends for a nice chat and snack at their house, the kids showing us all the Pokemon one can collect. They love those cute characters with big heads, like Hello Kitty, and even Harry Potter is big in Japan. Ended up going to a grill place for dinner, with the famous Hirado beef, together with Machida, his wife and son, and Julius. I felt quite tired from the day before, but still loved the good food. To finish of the day, Machida’s wife came to my apartment to give me a wonderful massage! Monday October 27th 2003 Spent the morning working and preparing the counts and steps out for my dance group. Had lunch at the Carillon cafe, and spoke to Oseki about doing something nice on the free day. To see some more nature on the island and maybe have a picnic. His son Waterloo was trying to fish for some squid on the waterfront. I enjoy this kind of quiet time here in Hirado. Spent some time at the bank getting money. Even though the man helping me spoke little English, he helped me a lot, after many calls he told me to go to the post office, and apologized for taking so much time! And it worked out, so I don’t need to go to the big city on my free days to get extra cash! Spent my afternoon, relaxing, reading, cooking a pumpkin soup, yes it’s Halloween soon. Had a great time with my dance group, clearing up the steps, and letting them hip hop one by one for the grand finale, before making their exit. So the piece is more or less finished, just a little polishing, for a final touch. Tuesday October 28th 2003 Went to Nakatsura Elementary School to give my last workshop. The kids were really wonderful, 36 pupils, the whole school plus teachers joined in. They were very disciplined, yet full of life and excitement. I danced for them at the end of the lesson, and then we all danced together, following me as I moved. They even made a bridge with their arms, under which I had to leave the gym hall. I had lunch with the lower grades, sitting behind a small desk, together with Makiko and Kimiko. They asked many questions. What’s my favorite color, fruit, flower... We took pictures, said our goodbyes. From there I was taken back to Hirado to go to Nichibu lesson with Kitani. She dressed me in the complete kimono. From underwear, which are big red satin pants and shirt, to wrapping my breasts up, which needs to be flat. Finally the Obi, with a big butterfly bow on my back, tying me up tightly, so I can just breathe! With my fan in my hands I practice my dance a few times. She gives me the final touches of the delicacy and softness it still needs. After being released from the tight kimono, we sit and have tea, with small seaweed crackers. I walk to the Matsura Historical Museum, where I was told to meet at 4pm, for rehearsal for Jazznight. They are still setting up and putting all the chairs. I need to relax, so take a power nap in one of the rooms there. Once the sunsets, the cold sets in! Since the performance is outside I worry about being too cold. Kimiko arrives and gives me a blanket, and later Eiko, comes with a big jacket, which I’m grateful for. We warm-up and get ready in the back of one of the teahouses. The people arrive, candles lighting the path which leads them to their chairs. First the jazz band from Sasebo play. I dance in the back to warm up, unseen. Then Machida, and Julius join me in my garden dance. I dance around the rocks and trees, it’s a really beautiful setting, and I really get into it. As I leave on the stone path, its like I leave something behind. Then Julius continues playing with the band, finally playing a duo with the other drummer. It’s a great evening, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, despite the cold. As everyone clears up, I leave to a restaurant, with Michiru, her husband, and later, Eiko, Oseki, and Waterloo joins our table. We eat, drink and laugh, especially of a picture of Oseki in his wetsuit! Wednesday October 29th 2003 Michiru stayed with me last night, since she had drunken some alcohol. We put the extra futon on the ground and made her bed. In the morning I didn’t realize that she was suffering from a hangover! That shoju, Japanese whisky, is dangerous! We walked down to the Carillon, where we planned to meet Oseki-san for our day trip together. We drove to the south and dropped her off to sleep and recover, while we continued south to Mount Shijiki. We climbed up using ropes, it wasn’t so steep though, since I couldn’t have made the top. I’m scared of heights. It was so beautiful up there, we sat and ate lunch- some pre-rolled sushi, and watched the birds. The view was gorgeous, you could see all the small islands, bays, boats and mountain ranges. We counted the butterflies on our way down. We picked Michiru who was feeling a lot better, and her two boys up. We went to another mountain, to watch the sunset, while Oseki, brewed some coffee for us to keep us warm as the cold air hit our faces. The kids running around keeping themselves warm. Wild camping atmosphere! I enjoyed it thoroughly! We all drove home satisfied. Thursday October 30th 2003 Another free day for me. Together with Miyuki we went to a pottery place in the countryside. The man demonstrated how to hold your hands, as the wheel turns. Then it was my turn, it was a slippery sensation, and I managed quite well. But considering that I couldn’t take it home, I also enjoyed just playing around with the clay and creating something more abstract. In the end I smashed it, also with satisfaction! It didn’t matter. We had some time left, so he showed me another way of pottery making by hand, also fun. I bought some bowls and we returned to Hirado after looking around the area of his place, which was again beautiful nature. Miyuki and me enjoyed a good lunch, which was actually Korean food, with Kimchi, a fremented spicy dish. I went to the Carillon, where Waterloo was fishing for squid, he ended up catching two! I just hung out there watching the sunset. Walked around and shopped for some more pottery, the man from the shop took me to his museum. He had a strange collection of things, from Indonesia, Italy, China, and of coarse Hirado! But then he took me upstairs where he had the Erotic Japanese drawings! Some very beautiful ones yet here and there with cellotape and a plastic flower, covering the naughty bits! I then went to the Onsen, baths to relax. I was the only one there, which was very peaceful, looking out over the bay with the bridge lit up in the background. Returned home to my apartment for a quiet night in. Friday October 31st 2003 It was hard to get going today, after two free days. But I pushed myself to activate my body. I had to go home to pick up my fan for Nichibu lesson. Michiru passed by my place to give me some pictures she took of her kids and me. She gave me some small gifts, so that I can pack them... yes slowly my time in Hirado is coming to an end. In Nichibu, I worked hard to refine the dance, lots of details. Then it was like a little cake party, together with Eiko, Kimiko, Makiko and Kitani. I was showered with lots of gifts, it felt like it was my birthday. People are so generous, it makes me sad to leave. My last Nichibu lesson in Kitani’s home. I really like her and her ways a lot. Walked home another way, taking in the views and landscape, watching the children walk home in their uniforms, saying ‘hello’ to me and giggling amongst each other. Relaxed before Eiko picked me up for my rehearsal with the dance group. I pushed them hard to get the dance together. We sat and had a break, eating a jelly snack I had brought for them. We worked on, when I thought the lesson was over, they taped the music and danced the dance once more! It was great to watch their joy to dance their Hip Hop one by one at the end. They are a fantastic group of kids, and the fun we had is special to me. I went to pick-up Julius at his place, to take him to Adrien’s Halloween party. Even though he has a small apartment, every one seemed to fit. Some dressed up, from Indiana Jones to some Japanese super hero, to a Charly’s angel. We chatted and had a few beers, before Rinako and Adrien bought me home. Saturday November 1st 2003 Did my morning Yoga, stretches, and prepared my last Ballet workshop. Bought some candy for the kids, which I threw at them to finish my lesson. Kimiko, and Tycho came and blew up some Balloons again, which we danced with. A colorful finish. Machida and Oseki came to speak with the people about 12xholland. I worked up quite a sweat demonstrating the exercises, and doing them again and again with each dancer. We worked on turns, jumps, and turning waltzes. They are a great bunch of woman. Eiko took me home to shower, which I needed! Then I had the pleasure to have a massage from a professional, in a restaurant on the Tatami floor. Tepey was very good and released a lot of tension in my neck. Waterloo, sat and translated. We had a drink at the bar, and the cook Joshi, made me some crispy chicken and Udon. Hmmmmm.. At the Carillon, Jazz night was being set up. Oseki took me to the waterfront and let me fish with a fisherman there. I caught 12 fish, little ones called Agi. Very exciting, to feel the fish bite the rod and wiggle for its life. I had to go to the Cultural Center again, for the stage rehearsal with Kitani and her dancers. I was nervous to show them my dance, my fan shaking slightly, but when I flipped the fan and caught it, every one cheered me on! We did the dances a few times, which was good practice, and I enjoyed to watch them dance. Eiko and I returned to the Carillon to enjoy a beer, and listen to the different bands play. One man was a really great singer, who also wrote his own music. Unfortunately he didn’t have a cd. Julius was not feeling too well, yet still drummed a few songs. I went into the kitchen with Waterloo, to clean my fish and fry them, to share with the people there. They were delicious, being so fresh! Jazz night finished and some of us went to Seefu, the restaurant across the street, for some more drinks and snack. Michiru, Ryuichi and the kids had come again to join me. The kids had been sleeping in the car, they woke up slowly and came alive, running around and climbing all over every one. One of the guys had caught some squid, which was served like sashimi, deliciously soft meat. Drinking Shoyu, Oseki-san was full of jokes, Philosophy, and Haikus! Another great evening. I ended up in bed at 3am! bekijk ook het algemene dagverslag van 6 - 15 september | 16 - 30 september | 1 - 15 oktober | 16 oktober - 4 november lees ook het persoonlijke dagverslag van Hans | Hendrik | Cora | Julius