Death, as natural a part of life as birth, is always a shock when it comes to friends and family members. But it is also when it happens close to home that we pay attention, that our hearts are inevitably pried open, and questions flood our minds. Questions that could never be answered, that have no answers. Nevertheless, it is the questioning and the enquiry that follows that has the potential to change the course of our lives forever. I feel infinitely blessed to have been given such an opportunity, and I bow to those people who have been a part of this gift that death has brought to us.
I've been practising kyudo at Meiji Jingu since November 2008 and find this a wonderful dojo to practice at. Here, attention is paid to the moral and spiritual development of the person rather than focusing on whether one hits the target or not. There are actually two kyudo dojos at Meiji Jingu; the one that members (門人) use is called Shiseikan (至誠館), while the one open to the public is called Chuo Dojo (中央道場). Chuo Dojo is the venue for many kyudo testings and tournaments held in the Tokyo area.
One does not need to have experience to be a member of the Shiseikan. All practice sessions are led by well-respected kyudo teachers, who teach new members the art of kyudo from the very basics. One usually spends several months learning the movements associated with the practice before actually shooting an arrow at a target.
The following is the kyudo practice schedule at Shiseikan.
One does not need to have experience to be a member of the Shiseikan. All practice sessions are led by well-respected kyudo teachers, who teach new members the art of kyudo from the very basics. One usually spends several months learning the movements associated with the practice before actually shooting an arrow at a target.
The following is the kyudo practice schedule at Shiseikan.
| Mon (月) | Tue (火) | Wed (水) | Thu (木) | Sat (土) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 - 16:00 | Kurosawa Sensei (黒澤先生) |
Arahata Sensei (荒畑先生) |
1st: Arahata Sensei (第1: 荒畑先生) 2nd: Kurosawa Sensei (第2: 黒澤先生) |
||
| 18:00 - 20:00 | Ishikawa Sensei (石川先生) Arahata Sensei (荒畑先生) |
Sakuma Sensei (佐久間先生) Arahata Sensei (荒畑先生) |
Ishikawa Sensei (石川先生) Kurosawa Sensei (黒澤先生) |
Sakuma Sensei (佐久間先生) Kurosawa Sensei (黒澤先生) |
|
| Note (注) | (i) Practice is allowed only during the days and times when a teacher is present. お稽古は先生のいる日時のみ出来ます。 (ii) There is practice only on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month. 第１と第２の土曜日だけにお稽古があります。 |
||||
This year brings a very busy summer for Gocoo, who's been performing in various locations in Japan on a rather tight schedule. Perhaps this is no coincidence since Gocoo was selected as one of the 100 most respected Japanese people in the world by Newsweek Japan, in their July 8, 2009 issue.
Below are some photos taken during their performances at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine during the Bonbori Festival and at the Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. (Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.)
Below are some photos taken during their performances at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine during the Bonbori Festival and at the Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. (Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.)
My last day in Madrid and my dear friend, Ah Hung, wanted to treat me to one of her favourite dishes, Arroz con Bogavante, which is Rice with Lobster in English. Mmm....tastes heavenly, perhaps somewhat like a deliciously rich paella in broth. This is a specialty of the El Urogallo, and is prepared for a minimum of two persons. The above picture is an order for two people, but four of us could not finish it, so a lucky friend got the leftover.
Gocoo's European Tour this year started with a performance at the
Millenaris Teatrum in Budapest, Hungary. Rika and I planned to visit
Budapest during this time so we could be at the performance. There was
something about sharing the Taiko in a foreign country that felt very
special, as if we were there as cultural ambassadors, and yet, as Gocoo
struck their drums, their shamanistic rhythms united everyone in that
hall in a universal beat.
Gocoo members preparing their drumsticks for the performance while Rika looks on
Gocoo testing the acoustics of the hall
Kaoly with young fan
Gocoo members preparing their drumsticks for the performance while Rika looks on
Gocoo testing the acoustics of the hall
Kaoly with young fan
Cinque Terre (literally "Five Lands" in English) refers to an area in the Liguria region of Italy that comprises of five separate villages and the hillside surrounding them. The five villages are Monterosso Al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, in that order coming from Genoa. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cinque Terre is now visited by scores of tourists, especially in the warmer months. A hike from Monterosso Al Mare to Riomaggiore, or the other way round, takes a little more than 5 hours, not counting rest time. It was a very hot day when we visited, so we only managed the hike from Riomaggiore to Corniglia, and then took a train to Monterosso Al Mare, where one of the best pastas I've ever had was awaiting us. Despite the hoards of tourists, I'd still recommend a visit to this beautiful Ligurian coastline.
The London Gourmet Buddies -- a commitment towards a deeper, richer, fuller spiritual life and a passion for good food. Although not all of us are students of Buddhist Psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute, it feels as if we've all been through this journey together. Lama Lobsang, who is always there to offer support, whether it's Dharma talk or a welcome at the airport; Teddy, who is always treating us to scrumptious food and offering us a place to get together at his restaurants; Atsue, a steady presence and inspiration, reminding us that with intention, all is possible.
A precious three-year journey and companionship, a jewel to treasure.
Lama Lobsang, Teddy, Atsue, Mari, Heather and Robyn Michele at Teddy's Malaysian restaurant, the Rasa Sayang, in London
Lama Lobsang and me
A precious three-year journey and companionship, a jewel to treasure.
Lama Lobsang, Teddy, Atsue, Mari, Heather and Robyn Michele at Teddy's Malaysian restaurant, the Rasa Sayang, in London
Lama Lobsang and me
駒澤先生に初めて会ったのは、今月の連休でした。研ぎを先生に習いたいと思って、広島に行ってきました。二日間を先生と過ごして、研ぎはもちろん、生きるということについてもいろいろ勉強になりました。とても有意義な時間で、私の人生の中では大事な出会いでした。
先生の研究所に二日間通って、木彫りや研ぎに関して、様々なことを教わりました。先生の奥様と99歳のお母様も優しく歓迎してくださったので居心地良く過ごせました。先生にとっては当たり前のことかもしれませんが、私は先生の繊細な感受性、親切さと寛大さに感動しました。
先生のことを知ったきっかけは小笠原先生からもらった「やさしい仏さまを彫る」という本でした。木彫りには刀が必要。刀には研ぎが必要。木彫りを続けるためには、やはり研ぎからだと思いました。駒澤先生の本に載っている研ぎについての章を読んだら、研ぎの道の深さを感じました。
先生に会って、いろいろお話が出来た御陰で、研ぎというのは刀だけではないと痛感しました。磨いているのは、自分の魂です。アメリカに居住している弓道師範・御弓師第20代柴田勘十朗氏の言葉を思い出します。「弓道は魂を磨く為にやることです。的を当たるためではありません。」
このように生き方を教えてくださる先生方に巡り会えたことは、人生の宝物です。
写真は駒澤先生の作品例です。
There are people whom we may meet for only a moment, and yet our lives are changed forever. A shift takes place, and suddenly, we're never the same person again. Actually, I believe that all experiences and all encounters touch our lives in this same way, some positively, others less so. But there are these moments, these meetings that leave important marks that we remember as significant. They leave warm and soft imprints in the heart, as if the heart has been newly ploughed, the soil awakened.
Komazawa sensei is one such person for me. I feel blessed to be touched by his kindness, generosity and wisdom.
Komazawa sensei, who lives in Hiroshima, is a full-time teacher of woodworking and a professional carver. He's published five books on woodcarving, and has a large collection of work. A sample of his more recent work is shown in the photos.
A year ago, I didn't think that I would eventually carve Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It seemed too elaborate and impossible to achieve. Although standing at only 8.5 cm tall and 3 cm in breadth, the intricacy involved in carving little Kwan Yin from a rectangular block seemed too much to take on. Nevertheless, Ogasawara sensei encouraged me to try it, and sat with me for hours guiding me in the process.
In retrospect, it was indeed a long process, and thinking about another go at it elicits a moment of reluctance, of cowardice. I recall how natural and interesting the actual process was as I was engrossed in the carving, and realize how quickly one might push away an experience that may, in the mind, initially seem too difficult. But if one can completely allow oneself to be in the experience without anticipating how it might be, each moment that we're present in the experience feels rich and meaningful.
Below is a photo of some of the stages of the carving process.
木彫りを初めて、１年半になりました。紅松を初め、さくらやヒバ、檜の木を彫って様々な木と付き合ってきました。
It's been a year and a half since I started carving little Buddhist figures. Below are the most recent additions, carved out of pine, sakura, and hiba (a kind of cypress).
It's been a year and a half since I started carving little Buddhist figures. Below are the most recent additions, carved out of pine, sakura, and hiba (a kind of cypress).
