「Private or Group Lesson (Non-Sports)」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Victoria Raiken: Shamisen at Greenwich House

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For my CIP, I took lessons at Greenwich House to learn the shamisen. I was joined by two other students from KCJS where we learned how to play a variety of traditional music pieces and ended the semester with a concert that involved the whole music school.

Before coming to Japan, not only did I have very limited experience with stringed instruments but I had also never seen a shamisen in real life before. Learning the shamisen in such a short time to perform at the concert was a big challenge for me but I’m so grateful I was given the opportunity to be a part of this community and learn about such a valued piece of Japanese culture.

My advice to incoming students would be to apply an interest you already have and use that passion to create connections within the community. Despite my skill-based challenges, I had a genuine interest in music and because of that I was able to bond with both the other KCJS students as well as the wonderful people at Greenwich House.

Susan Flatt: Koto

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This semester, I had the opportunity to practice the koto twice a week at Greenwich House, along with two other classmates, who were learning shamisen. At the end of the semester, we all performed a traditional piece together (月に寄せる日本の歌） at the Otsu Traditional Performing Arts Center.

Through my time practicing with the musicians at Greenwich House, I was able to learn a lot about Japanese traditional music, including the many ways in which it differs from Western music. I also enjoyed the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with the other musicians, who were all incredibly welcoming to the KCJS students.

My advice to future KCJS students is to never be afraid about trying something new, even if you aren’t sure whether you can succeed. No one will expect you to be perfect right from the start, and the people around you will appreciate the effort you put in, even when you’re struggling.

Alex Wills: Taiko

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This semester, I had the opportunity to participate in the Fujinomori Preservation Society’s Taiko Drumming Practice! Along with one of my fellow KCJS students, I learned the basics of how to play Taiko while also learning more about its significance in Japanese culture. Over the course of the semester, we prepared a roughly 2 minute long piece and performed it for the group, making connections with the team members and practicing our Japanese along the way. At first it was a little intimidating, but once you’re there, it gets to be very fun and rewarding.

Gaby Jacobs-Alarcon: Weaving

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For my CIP, I did weaving with Kawasaki Haruo and Kawasaki Yuri, a couple who have been weaving for most of their lives. I learned how to use a loom to make textiles out of wool and silk.

I think my CIP was one of the most rewarding things from my time at KCJS. I was able to be creative and get help from very skilled weavers while also having nice conversation with my teachers and other students during tea time.

I would recommend anyone to choose this CIP as absolutely no experience is required. You can tailor the experience to fit your needs. If you are more advanced, you can learn how to set up the loom and ask about certain techniques. Kawasaki-sensei has many books of his teachers work and books he was published in with other artists works as well.

I made a silk scarf and 3 tapestries, but I could have made more if I started with a more simple project at first.

If you choose this CIP, I would recommend you think about how much time you have in the semester. There is the ability to go 2 times a week for up to 6 hours each class. When I first did this, I got too tired and had to scale back. Do not be afraid to say no because you are not required to do this. But if you are really interested in weaving this is a great opportunity to go all in. Note that there is a fee, but half of it should be covered by KCJS.

Shawn Chen: Koto

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For my CIP, I took Koto lessons with Iwasaki sensei! Koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi are also taught at the studio and there was a chance for me and 4 others to perform together in traditional attire!

While learning the instrument was fun in itself, the community in the studio is definitely the key highlight of the experience. They’re all so welcoming and often help out with teaching.

If you take lessons here (which I highly recommend), I would advise you to never be afraid to ask questions if you have any and to talk about your experiences in Japan as you go. They’re also curious about us and want to hear more!

Tyrone Xue: Shakuhachi

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Me (left) and Sam (right) practicing right before our big concert

I took lessons learning the shakuhachi as my CIP. There are different types of shakuhachi playing style, I was learning the Kinko-ryu shakuhachi as it is what my teacher was an expert at. I feel that the shakuhachi is a fairly hard instrument to learn during the start compared to the other traditional instruments like the koto or shamisen, but eventually you get the hang of it. We were invited to play for a concert near the end of our lessons which I felt was an amazing experience, both the pressure and the fun.

If you’re thinking about doing a traditional Japanese instrument, whether it’s shakuhachi, koto, shamisen, or something else, I think you should just go for it. Even if you don’t have any experience in western music because the music sheet and playing method is really different anyways. My best advice is to not go into these lessons to become an expert in the instrument (our shakuhachi teacher himself has decades of experience but he still feels like he has more to learn). Instead, I think it’s best to go into it with the mindset of building human connections. The shakuhachi is one thing, but take some time to ask about the the history, the songs, and the communities. You’ll find yourself learning about a completely new world than just an instrument.

Fatou M’Baye: Pottery

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I took pottery classes at Keiko Ikoma’s pottery studio. I’d always wanted to learn pottery but had never done it before. I was intimidated going in on my first day because I was a total beginner, but all of my worries quickly dissolved as soon as I stepped into the classroom. Ikoma Sensei is super kind and patient, and everyone in class is very friendly. It’s a very communal space, with everyone chatting while they work. Ikoma Sensei has a curriculum for beginners, which was really nice because it provided me guidance on what pieces to make. I made a vase, three teacups, a rice bowl, and a large bowl. Rather than working with a moving wheel, everyone at Ikoma Sensei’s classroom does hand-building, so it’s a slower process. It was very therapeutic to make everything step by step. I now want to continue pottery! My advice for incoming students is to not be afraid to talk to the people in your CIP. If you are more social and talkative, others will also be more social in return. Get to know the people in your CIP and don’t be shy about asking questions!

Sam de la Vega: Shakuhachi

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My CIP was the traditional Japanese flute known as a Shakuhachi. I had lessons once a week for about 2 hours and occasionally practiced with other students who practiced other instruments, such as the koto or shamisen. Towards the end of the semester, all of the other students involved in the instruments took part in a traditional concert recital. 

The shakuhachi was an incredible experience that was not only extremely rewarding to learn, but it also helped with listening comprehension and feeling more comfortable speaking Japanese in a more casual manner. One of the most important aspects of learning this instrument was becoming good friends with my teacher as he created an environment where learning the instrument was fun and no stress was created. 

My advice for future students of KCJS is to go beyond what you believe you’re comfortable with and do not be scared to try something new. I’m not new to learning instruments, but learning a new instrument in a language I’m not fluent in was incredibly daunting. Yet, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I’m forever grateful for this CIP and will continue to practice the shakuhachi for the rest of my life. 

Isabel Hurwitz: 茶道(Tea Ceremony)

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For my CIP I had private 茶道（Tea Ceremony) lessons with the lovely 三谷先生. Our lessons consisted of meeting once a week for about two hours to practice the steps of the ceremony including purifying (cleaning) the utensils and bowl and learning how to prepare the tea.

This was, by far, one of the most enjoyable experiences of my personal journey in Japan. Not only I was able to learn something I had been wanting to learn for a long time, but also I was able to understand the cultural and historical context of Japanese way of life through the lens of this ceremony.

I also owe this experience to 三谷先生 because she was the best teacher I could have had for this. She is the sweetest and most patient woman I’ve met. Even though I made a lot of mistakes, she kept cheering me up and telling me I got better every session, and that really inspired me to practice at home by my own.

I would recommend incoming students to do this as your CIP project if you want to get more involved in the subtle culture of Japan—or if you really like Matcha. Through this activity, you can get a deeper understanding and appreciation for the way Japan approaches interpersonal communication and mutual respect.

Alejandro Sosa Hernández: Calligraphy

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For my CIP, I took calligraphy lessons at the Shoukei Shoudo School. Once a week, the senseis would teach me how to write a new Kanji character until my skills developed enough for me to choose my own Kanjis. Learning how to do calligraphy was incredibly exciting and it was nice to have a dedicated creative outlet every week where I could practice my Japanese speaking and writing. It was perfect for me since I’ve always loved cursive writing, I think Kanji are beautiful, and I am quite the perfectionist. My advice to incoming students would be to not be afraid of asking for help! That’s what the senseis are there for.