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The Kumamoto Earthquake

2016.04.18

Occurrences

The strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture and other cities in the Kyushu region
from 14th to 16th April, which caused extensive damage and left 42 people dead
and over 1,000 people injured.
More than hundred thousand people have been force to live in evacuation shelters,
which makes me feel pain in my heart.
This past weekend, Fukui JC members were raising funds for the disaster areas at Fukui Station so I donated a little bit of money.

 

Fukui City, which is a friendship city of Kumamoto City, has dispatched tow officials to
Kumamoto City as an advance party.
Also, they have sent relief goods and water trucks one after another.
Kumamoto City and Fukui City conclude a cooperation agreement in case of disasters.
For example, when Fukui City was hit by heavy rain in 2004
Kumamoto City dispatched officials and delivered relief supplies to Fukui City.

Fukui City’s officials load up the truck with relief supplies (from CHUNICHI web)

 

As a matter of fact, Fukui City has had a deep relationship with Kumamoto City
because Shungaku MATSUDAIRA, the feudal lord of Fukui Domain, whose lawful wife was
from Kumamoto Domain at the end of the Edo period.
Because of such background, they formed friendship cities.

 

I can only pray that the earthquake activity ends and the affected people will be able to return to a normal life as soon as possible. (H.S)

Salsa Dancer, Kaku/Salsa Lab Part-4 -Don't Need a Partner and Benefitial for Your Beauty-

Dancing in pairs is always enjoyable.

But I'm sure that there are some people don't feel comfortable with dancing in pairs.

You do not have to dance in pairs if you don’t feel comfortable.

Moreover, salsa is beneficial for staying in shape.

I know a woman who lost 10 kilogram (about 22 pounds) from regularly dancing salsa.

 

 

Our video of Shine (Salsa solo dance) by a Japanese salsa dancer, "Kaku" at "Salsa Lab"

Released : Mar. 23, 2016

 

Our previous blog “Japanese Salsa Dancer / Kaku / At Salsa Lab”

Posted : Feb. 3, 2016

 

Please see below for more informaion.

<Salsa Lab>

Address: 2-24-2 Toyoshima, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan

Salsa Lab
Salsa Lab Facebook

 

<Kaku>

Kaku's E-Mail

Kaku Facebook

 

 

T.F

The poet, Tachibana-no-Akemi's Dokurakugin (Reciting Poetry for My Own Pleasure)

2016.04.14

Random thoughts

On a lunch break, I stopped by a cafe near GEN office OTEMACHI Cafe and saw wiritings on many pieces of paper on the wall.

 

Every writing on the papers, starts with “My own pleasure is…” and ends with “when I do ...”.
Elementary school students wrote these on the model of Tachibana-no-Akemi's Dokurakugin (reciting poet for my own pleasure).

 

“What a delight it is when, of a morning, I get up and go out to find in full bloom a flower that yesterday was not there.”
This is one of Tachibana’s Dokurakugin and the President of the United States Bill Clinton quoted in his speech when the Japanese emperor visited the USA in 1994.

 

As what's written in this poem, it is enjoyable to find joys from little things in our daily lives, and I think it enriches our lives as well.

 

To write down and remember these joys, Dokurakugin is perfect.

 

It is said that Akemi Tachibana used to like Japanese Sake as well as writing. There is an event, “Japanese sake and literature, and their pleasurable relationship between the two” is held at Fukui City Akemi Tachibana Literature Memorial Museum (until May 15th, 2016). Since I always liked Dokurakugin and on top of that I found that he liked sake, I feel more connected to him.

 

T.S

Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto

2016.04.13

Kyoto and Nara

The Philosopher’s Walk, popular as a pathway, is located at the foot of Mt. Higashiyama,
Kyoto City.
It starts from Nyakuoji Shrine near Eikando to Ginkakuji Temple,
which is about 1.8 km along a canal and has been chosen as one of
“The best hundred roads in Japan”.
This is one of my favorite spots and especially the cherry blossom season is wonderful.
There are some cafes and Japanese sweets shops so you can take a quick break
if you get tired.


A sign which stands near the entrance of the Philosopher’s Walk

 

 

A philosopher Kitaro Nishida and his pupils used to walk this path in pondering.
That’s why it came to be called “Philosopher’s Walk”.
In the middle of the walk, near Honenin Temple,
a poem Nishida wrote as follows, was carved on a monument.
“Live and let live. At any rate, I go my own way.”


Kitaro Nishida’s monument The calligraphy is his original

 


The cherry blossoms on the walk started to fall and the surface of the canal
was covered by the pink petals.
※From Hankyu Railway’s official Twitter

(H.S)

Salsa Dancer, Kaku/Salsa Lab Part-3 -Anyone can get used to dancing salsa right away-

As I have been introducing about Salsa,

today, I would like to tell you about how it is easy to start salsa dance.

 

Just like the USA, Australia, the UK, Korea and any other countries,

for some people, dancing is not that easy and/or it is not comfortable to do,

the same for Japanese people as well.

Some people just avoid dancing because they don't know how to dance, and feel embarrassed

about not dancing in certain ways with "perfect steps and moves".

I experienced almost every kinds of dance.

Speaking from my experience, starting salsa dance is much easier than other types of dance

(hip hop, jazz, ballet and everything between) in terms of being able to just enjoy it.

Also, salsa lessons are easier to attend to than other types of dance

because there are so many salsa lessons all over Japan

and there are people of all ages who take these lessons.

 

Just walk with music, it can be the basic steps for salsa dance.

 

Most people start to enjoy dancing salsa after 3 dance lessons and/or attending salsa parties.

One must practice very hard to perform in front of audience though.

 

You do not have to wear fancy dresses to dance salsa.

You can just wear T-shirts and pants.

It is very casual.

 

Dancing salsa is not difficult at all.

It gives less stress for your body than dancing other types of dance and/or playing sports.

How about dancing salsa with your friends and/or family members?

 

Here's our video of Shine (Salsa solo dance) by a Japanese salsa dancer, "Kaku" at "Salsa Lab"

Last Update: 3/23/2016

 

Here’s our previous blog “Japanese Salsa Dancer / Kaku / At Salsa Lab”

Posted: 2/3/2016

 

Please see below for more information.

<Salsa Lab>

Address: 2-24-2 Toyoshima, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan

Salsa Lab
Salsa Lab Facebook

 

<Kaku>

Kaku E-Mail

Kaku Facebook

 

 

T.F

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