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

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.

Kimiko Reed: Shamisen

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My CIP this semester was learning shamisen at Greenwich House music school. Greenwich House is run by the Iwasaki family, and they teach as well as do performances with shamisen (similar to a guitar), koto (similar to a harp), and shakuhachi (similar to a flute).

Through practicing once a week at Greenwich House, I was able to learn more about traditional Japanese music and interact with a wide variety of people, which allowed me to practice both formal and informal Japanese. At the end of the semester, me and the other KCJS students who were learning instruments at Greenwich House had the opportunity to perform at a traditional Noh theater.

I made so many amazing memories during my time at Greenwich House, and I would highly recommend this CIP experience to incoming students. My advice to incoming KCJS students is to give yourself grace when it comes to making mistakes, both in terms of language speaking and in terms of doing your CIP activity itself.

Rachel Collins: Calligraphy

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This semester, I decided to attend Calligraphy lessons for my CIP activity. In these classes, my teacher would give me kanji, kana, and hiragana practice, and walk me through all of the details that go into creating a beautiful piece. I found the class to be incredibly rewarding, despite the challenge of writing in such a precise manner. My teacher helped me learn the importance of patience, and taking time to slow down to fully understand each step in the process. From her class, I’ve taken time to emphasize the importance of patience in every aspect of my study abroad experience.

Therefore, my advice to incoming students would be to slow down. It’s tempting to rush into the excitement of a new experience, eager to do everything perfectly, but the learning process requires time. No matter what you do, take the time to deeply understand what you’re learning, and you’ll see yourself improve even faster!

Dake LaSala: Weaving

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This semester I got the chance to learn to weave under 河崎先生. After learning to weave, I spent many hours a week working on projects. I had a lot of artistic freedom, so it would be great for people who want to create something in their own vision while receiving assistance! I had so much fun. I would recommend that those doing this CIP be explicit with the amount of time they are willing to invest from the beginning. Many weeks I was at weaving for 12 hours. I was okay with that, but it could be hard if you weren’t meaning to be doing your CIP for that much time. I will say you do have to invest a significant amount of time if you actually want to finish projects.

Annika Crawford: 茶道 Tea Ceremony

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For my CIP, I learned tea ceremony with the wonderful Fujimura sensei. Every week, we met at a quaint tea house in Takagamine, a mountainside town, accessible from the nearest bus stop by a 25 minute walk over a creek and through a bamboo forest, which always helped quiet my mind and get me in the mood.

During my practice, I learned how to serve tea, but more than that, the culture of hospitality and reverence to the present moment that belies the tradition. While this might sound intimidating, Fujimura sensei, with her patient warmth and bubbly talkativeness, never made it feel that way. Like a true tea master, she always made me feel at home; serving me delicious homemade Wagashi, and taking care to take me on special trips based on my interests, such as cherry blossom viewing in kimono, and visits to Raku ceramics museums.

If you are curious about Kyoto’s traditional culture and beliefs, or just want to meet an amazing and fascinating woman, I can’t recommend this CIP enough. If you are concerned your Japanese level will hold you back, I can confirm I took this CIP with the lowest level of Japanese, and while it was super difficult at times, Fujimura sensei and I built a beautiful relationship and discovered new ways to communicate. Not only do I hope to continuing serving tea to others when I return to America, but I carry with me a deeper understanding of how to tap into peace, confidence, and selflessness wherever I am, that equips me well for the future.

 

Stella Tsogtjargal: Shamisen

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For my CIP, I decided to learn shamisen! I haven’t played a musical instrument since middle school and I think classical Japanese music is really beautiful, so I really loved learning shamisen, which is kind of like a guitar.

Two other KCJS students were at our lessons, and it was really nice to have people there that weren’t just the students/teachers at the studio. Everyone at the studio was very kind, and we’d often all get dinner after the lesson.

The final performance was very special. It was the first time I had worn a kimono, and everyone from the studio was very encouraging. I’m happy with how everything turned out!

If you’re interested in engaging with Japanese culture through music, I couldn’t recommend shamisen, koto, or shakuhachi more!