Shigeri Kitsu - Melody of Four Seasons

So I'm having some alone time and I'm so glad that I did! With the pup around, I barely get to go to any Japanese events because he doesn't understand the language, culture and he doesn't really enjoy the food either! Sad isn't it?

But then again I get to enjoy my own world when he gets to enjoy his worlds.

Anyways, I booked a ticket to watch Shigeri Kitsu, a minyo artiste playing live at the Dewan Sivik MBPJ. To tell you the truth, I had never heard about her before this but I'd never pass on an opportunity to experience something like this!

Being totally unfamiliar with the roads, it took me a really long time to reach the venue. I mean seriously, there were no proper signs to show where the place really was.

We were greeted by these traditionally clothed mannequins at the reception.

Don't ask me why. I really didn't see the point in it. Initially I thought that it had something to do with what she would be wearing during the performance, but nope.

We were allowed to go in and grab our seats at about slightly past 8. The arena was free seating so I was pretty lucky that I got there early, I managed to grab an aisle seat, right in front of the stage.

The night started with the Dewan Budaya's cultural dance troupe doing a contemporary number. This was also something I didn't get.

Then they did a musical performance with some traditional instruments. This was pretty good :)

Then they started to set up Shigeri-san's stage....

She emerged from the darkness of the stage and into the spotlight.

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter. This part, she hid in the corner plucking the shamisen while the slide show went on and on with lots of gorgeous winter images.

And she finished off with the drums.

Shigeri-san then dedicated a song to the quake that happened in Japan this year. It was upsetting to see so many lives, especially those of the fishing communities, wiped out. Just. Like. That.

Then she played a few more traditional numbers.

This... by far... was her best performance the entire night IMHO. There was so much vigour, control and passion in this.

Look at her go!!!!

Towards the end of her last song, the local musical troup troops out clapping in tune to the rhythm...

Then we realized that there was a surprise for her! I didn't manage to catch the first slide which said "Today is her birthday."

And they pushed a cake out from the side :)

Me and Shigeri Kitsu.

The performance was amazing. The vocal control and dedication she has in perfecting her craft is really incredible.

But to be honest, after a while, it got a little boring - partly because it was a one (wo)man show but kudos to her for a fantastic performance!

Origa-what???

*cringe*

Yes I know. I am so terrible at being Japanese sometimes!

歌舞伎 の着物

The pup and I went to a Kabuki Kimono exhibition at Isetan, KLCC today.

Kabuki stands for sing (歌), dance (舞), and skill (伎) which features the art of singing and dancing is known for its avant garde-ness and elaborate make up.

They featured 22 great authentic costumes worn by some of the greatest actors from the Meiji era (明治時代) to the Showa era (昭和時代).

Some names of these grand kimonos will be romanized as I have no frickin' idea on how to type it out.... I've done as much as I can so, if there's anyone who can help me, お願いしますよ!

助六由縁江戸桜 (Sukeroku yukari no Edo zakura) or Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.

Look how elaborate they are!

Also from Sukeroku, this is Ukonsyusu botankujakusoshisyu keiseikake.

Worn by a lady in the role of 白玉 (shiratama)
Murasakihonjusu kusudamachirashishisyu keiseisake
紫本珠子 薬玉散し刺。。。 (this is as far as I can go :P)

Worn in the role of 意休 (Ikyu) by 7世松本幸四郎 (Matsumoto Koshiro the 7th)
Kurojusuji ryusyokkososhisyu kitsukehaori
黒珠子地龍。。。

Worn in the female role of 花子 (Hanako) in 京鹿子娘道成寺 (Kyokanoko Musume Dojoji)
Kurorinzuji shidarezakura ni odamakinui furisodekitsuke
I'm not even going to attempt this

Another one from 京鹿子娘道成寺 for 花子 's character worn by 6世尾上菊五郎 (Onoye Kikugoro the 6th)

This has got to be my favorite. I just love black kimonos because it makes all the details really "POP" out.

Worn for the character 岩藤 (Iwafuji) in 加賀見山旧錦絵 (Kagamiyama kokyono nishikie) by 5世中村歌右衛門 (Nakamura Utaemon the 5th)
Kuromonrinzu fujishisyu uchikake
黒紋綸子藤刺裲襠

Last but not least - I call this Tiger Stripes :P

Worn in 天竺徳兵衛韓噺 (Tenjikutokubei ikoku banashi) for the character 天竺徳兵衛韓of (Tenjikutokubei)
Kinshikumotatewakunamishishyu yoten
金糸雲立涌。。。

My first chirimen class ( 始めのちりめんクラス)

I had a lot of fun at my very first chirimen class today at The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur. They organized a chirimen handicraft workshop conducted by Mrs Ama.

We made a flower-shaped accessory pouch.

Had to hand stitch the whole bloody thing from scratch and oh my goodness, it took me almost 2 whole hours to do it!

Chirimen is a kind of Japanese fabric. "Chirimen" is traditional craft with the history from the Edo period (1603-1867). Chirimen(crape) is beautiful silk fabrics with small wrinkles, and it has been loved as a material of a Japanese kimono from the Edo period to the present age. And, the "Chirimen work" which sews up the small remaining cloth of silk crape and makes pouches, animals, dolls, toys, etc. were popular. "Chirimen work" is the handicraft which cultivates the mind and aesthetic sense which esteem a thing, and makes a hand skillful. And it made as one of the culture of a Japanese woman.

The project we did today consists of 3 parts
a) the base
b) the central trumpet
c) the pull strings with flower bud ends

So this is what happened in class :)

These are the materials we worked with. Two large circular pieces of cloth and two smaller ones (not in picture), two rectangular pieces and two pieces of string.

Making the base

Here's the round pieces of cloth. you can see that the one on the right has actually been reinforced and will act as the main piece. These two round pieces will form the base of the flower pouch.

So first you start by hand stitching from that marked line... all the way to the other end and then back. Leave that little "X" area because you'll need an opening to flip this inside out.

When you're done, it should look like this. It looks prettier if you use different colors and patterned cloths to make the base.

Then fold in that little"X" spot and pin it down. You'll want to do an inside stitch so that it doesn't show. Make sure you keep it in a nice circular shape while you sew this up.

It should look something like this.

Making the central trumpet

The next step is to make the central trumpet of the flower. Take the two rectangular cloth pieces and sew in the for corners towards that pencil marking area. It should look like a long tube with two slits at the side.

When you're done stitching, you need to turn it inside out and make both ends meet at both ends. Then you'll see that the part that has no stitches will form a little passage way which will be used for the strings later. You'll want to stitch around that side - give it about 1.5cm in length from the top so that the strings won't go elsewhere.

When you're done with that, do a similar stitching to the bottom of the central trumpet and tuck it inwards so that you can attach it to the base.

Attaching the central trumpet to the base

Attach to the base and sew it in firmly, but not too tight because you don't want to see any snagged cloth.

Then use a pentagon piece to mark the five points which you will pull in and stitch onto the central trumpet.

It should look like this. Stitch it following the earlier line of the central trumpet to "disguise" the marks.

Adding on the strings

Then string the pieces of string in. One will go in the left, come out the right, in the top/bottom and come back out the left forming a "U" shape. Do this for both sides.

Secure both ends of the string with some string and then here you sew on the smaller round pieces to the end. Take the small circles and fold it in half, sew the string ends in firmly and flip it inside out.

It should look like a small flower bud when you're done. As you can see, the strings are hidden inside the flower bud.

Tadaa!!!! and you're done
My first Chirimen flower accessory pouch!

These are the other people in class sewing away. Too bad the JFKL only organizes these stuff once a year... would really love to attend more! :)