Sushi Deshi, 1 year in Japan

My Shodo (Calligraphy) teacher, Aoyagi Sensei, took us to Ogawamachi where they are traditionally manufacturing the calligraphy paper, old style with some kind of dried grass, called Washi. The Washi is made of very strong fibers, so it is said to be able to last over a 1000 years... So we could witness the process from the plain Washi to the calligraphy paper, and we even tried to manufacture some paper for ourselves. That`s where I could then express my newly discovered creativity by designing these nice postcards, made in calligraphy paper. My grandmother would be so proud. Hope you get sarcasm. :)

More pictures here!
 

Taiko are Japanese drums, from different sizes and sounds. They were used before as means of communication, and military actions, and their use evolved more to an entertainment purpose. I`ve been introduced to Taiko by going with Takashima Sensei to a small performance in a Buddhist temple, along with the Abe Brothers, two Shamisen players, a 3-stringed Japanese guitar. Waow, I was moved and I wanted to really learn more about this Taiko. So fortunately enough, during my home stay program in Nerima, I met somebody who was practicing Taiko, Yoko! She and her mother took me to a Taiko concert, performed by the famous Taiko group Kodo. 

I found that really amazing, to see these people with such energy and focus. When you think about it, it`s just about banging on drums, but they turn it into a total different level. Must see.

So after that, Yoko invited me to one of her Taiko practice lesson. they were doing some kind of rehearsal for a wedding that they would play for, along with dancers, performing the typical Matsuri dance.

I could even try to put into practice my gifted sense of rythm, and had the opportunity to bang a bit. On the drums.

If you want to see more pictures of the dancers and players, 

My Calligraphy Sensei, with my first Master Piece.