Sunday, September 29, 2013

Photos from yesterday's Show

Here are some photos from yesterday's "Hajichi" program.
 
I was reviewing my speech at JAA

 
With a dancer Ms. Haruka came from Okinawa
 
With Mr. Shingaki
He is a stage actor came from Okinawa
and husband of  Ms. Haruka
 
With Ms. Sumiko Kitajima
 
Thank everyone who joined the program!
 
See you soon.
 
昨日の公演無事終了いたしました。
 
公演中の写真撮影は禁じられておりましたので
スナップ写真だけ載せています。
 
北島角子さん本当にお疲れ様でした。
 
お芝居も踊りも堪能させていただきました。
 
ご来場くださった皆様方
誠にありがとうございました。
 
 
 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Preparation of Today's Hajichi Program

本日は晴天なり

きゅうぬ、ゆかる日に、きゅうぬ、まさる日に、
うちなーぬ、芝居公演、
「針突」ぬ成功 にがやびら。
 
I just completed a draft of my MC's speech.

I am so excited to host the "Hajichi" program tonight.

It is unfortunate that we can accept limited audience for the show which will be hold  at JAA facility.

I have a special feeling for tonight's show, which is titled 'Hajichi,' meaning 'Tatoo' in the Okinawan language.

Tattoos

on the back of a woman's hand were an expression of their status in traditional Okinawa.
My late grandmother had such tattoos on her hands; I'm not sure I can watch Sumiko Kitajima's performance without crying.

Well, I am the MC, so I won't cry.

 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Full House: A Review

Hi,  I went to see the FULL HOUSE tonight .
There wasn't a FULL HOUSE on opening night, but I enjoyed the show very much.
This was the first time I ever went to see Shinpa Geki.
I enjoyed Taro Hanabusa's stage makeup scene very much, since the theater was small and I was sitting in the second row and his makeup table was set up in front of my seat.
 
It was quite interesting to me, since I also offer a makeup program as part of my 90-minute lecture.
 
Standing at the door of the theater on the way out afterward, I asked some other audience members how they liked the show. They said they enjoyed the makeup scene in particular.
 
The program itself was about 80 minutes.
Hanabusa performed a traditional dance with a fan!
(I wanted to see one more dance from him.)
 
It was a funny and enjoyable show.
I recommend seeing it.
 
Cast
Taro Hanabusa
Takahide Okamoto
Reiko Yamaguchi
Sakura Hinuma
Marie Saito
Maki Sato
Yukari Nakajima
 
Written by Masako Sato
 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Kimono Kitsuke Lesson

Today is kimono lesson day for me.
 
A theme of today's lesson is try to tie four different kinds of Obi on one kimono.
 
 I dressed in a dark-blue silk kimono called Iro Muji with Sagami Shishu (Embroidery).
 
 
   Orange Nagoya Obi

Heian Period Vintage Obi

Ryukyu Bingata Obi
 
Nishijin Brocade Obi

今日は着付けのお稽古をしています。
Lesson, Lesson and Lesson
 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Review of Taiko Za Recital

I was so impressed with Taikoza's performance tonight.
There were only four female drummers and Marco Lienhard and a dancer.
The special guest Ichiro Jishoya's drumming was very different in technique, and I enjoyed his drum performance very much.  Surprisingly, Mr. Jishoya performed on the piano, too.

Program No. 7 "Nostalgia" Piano + Shakuhachi song was unique to me.
According to the program: Nostalgia song is about the joy of the reunion with
Marco after 25 years. They had last played together at Symphony Hall in Boston.
 
EISA was written in the last half of the program,
however, Marco played a song called "Shima Uta"  with his Shakuhachi instead.
I did like Marco's arrangement of Shima Uta for the Shakuhachi.
 
I was amazed that Marco could continue hitting the drum for SO LONG and
all of a sudden, he picks the Shakuhachi and plays!
He played Shinobue, too.
Taikoza's program was full of energy and fun.
Bravo!
 
Here are some photos from tonight's Taikoza performance.
  

Friday, September 13, 2013

Upcoming Performances in New York City

 I would like to inform you of details on the Japanese traditional performing arts programs
that will be held this month!
 

Performance I

Taiko Za LIVE New York Concert
Sunday, September 15 at 7:00 pm
at
Symphony Space
Please visit: Symphony space.org
212-864-5400

Special guest : Ichiro Jishoya

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Performance II 

 Mr. Taro Hanabusa,  a Japanese Onnagata performer presents a comedy show.
Sept. 25 - Sept. 29
8:00 pm except Sunday 29, 3:00 pm
 Theater for the NY
155 1st Ave. at 10 Street
Fees: $15.00
英太郎(はなぶさたとう)
劇団新派公式サイト
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Performance III

Saturday, September 28
at 7:00 pm the door opens at 6:30 pm
"Hajichi" by Sumiko Kitajima
Okinawan actress presents a drama called "Hajichi"
Okinawan traditional music and dance also will be performed
at JAA
15 West 44th Street (5th & 6th Avenue)11FL

I will be the host (MC) for the program, and hope to see you at JAA!


 
芸術の秋到来です。

ニューヨーク市マンハッタンでは、日本からの伝統芸能者をお招きして、
太鼓座公演、劇団新派コメディー劇、
そして、沖縄からは
ベテラン芝居役者北島角子さんによる針突と題する芝居公演などが開催予定です。

北島さんの公演では、わたくしJunkoが司会を担当いたします。

ご期待ください!

Today I went to JAA building for our first meeting for the program of
the Hajichi show.
We had a productive meeting.

Fifth Avenue was so busy as usual.
Here are photos of Fifth Avenue today.
5番街45丁目


本日は、「針突」公演主宰者との打合わせで
マンハッタンに行ってきました。
久しぶりに歩く5番街、すごい人ざかりでした。
 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Ebina Kenichi on the Americans Got Talent

Kenichi Ebina moves on to the finals!
 
I am so happy to see Kenichi Ebina appear on the Americas Got Talent TV program.
 
Ebina performed at the Wang Center during the Long Island Sakura Matsuri twice over the last few years. I performed immediately after he did, so I was lucky enough to be able to watch his dance from off-stage.
 
He is an amazing dancer, who moves in inhuman ways.
 
He is an exciting choreographer who creates original characters.
 
 He is a professional showman who can offer what audiences enjoy.
 
I voted for him on Tuesday night, the first time I have done such a thing.
 
Bravo, Ebina san!
 
 


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I created another bag with Nishijin Obi brocade, and will list the bag on my website soon!

I highly recommend this bag.

金襴西陣帯を使い
美しいバッグが仕上がりました。
通販サイトに載せる前に写真をご紹介します。







www.junkofisher.com
 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Koromo Gae (changing wardrobe)

It is a time to change wardrobe from summer to fall.
My closet is full with kimono,
 I am creating inventory list of my wardrobe.
 
朝晩めっきり涼しくなり
衣替えの季節になりました。
クローゼットは、着物であふれて
とうとう棚卸しを始めることにしました。
まず、PCに向かって
「着物棚卸」ドキュメント作成から始めます。
着物の他に
舞台衣装や小道具等、
記憶だけでは収まりそうもありません。

Kimono for fall season, ready to wear.

 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

New Flat Bag

 Happy September!
I am working on my new bag this weekend and would like to introduce a new bag.
This bag will be listed on my website and Etsy page soon!