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Orion the Hunter
The entire Orion Nebula in visible light. Credit: NASA/ESA. NASA, ESA, (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team.
Ancient Japan - Astronomy and Folklore
In almost every culture, Orion is recognized and grabs the attention of children and adults throughout the long winter nights. The stars of the constellation, especially the belt stars or Mitsu Boshi, have played a unique role in Japan's cultural heritage.
Over the centuries, a number of objects which represent aspects of Japanese culture have been seen in the stars of Orion. Most children learn the term tsuzumi boshi to visualize the constellation. Tsuzumi is a Japanese drum. It has heads on both ends and is beaten with the fingertips.
The stars Betelgeuse and Gamma Ori form one end of the drum while the stars Rigel and Kappa Ori form the other. The three belt stars represent the cord that is used to tie the strings in the middle.
Some Japanese call the trapezoidal figure Sode Boshi (kimono sleeve stars, Nojiri, 1973; Uchida, 1973).
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Genji and Heike
Orion's Betelgeuse and Rigel have special significance in many prefectures of Japan. Rigel is sometimes called Genji Boshi, and Betelgeuse is called Heike Boshi. These names refer to a period in Japanese history and are related to the apparent colours of the two stars, white and red.
The legendary war took place between the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) families. The colours of Taira were red, and the colours of the Minamoto family were white. Ultimately the Minamoto (Rigel) family won the war and moved the capital to Kamakura, starting an era of Samurai warriors and leading to centuries of turmoil. This war gave rise to famous stories and legends that later became part of Nou drama and Kabuki plays.
Due to the extraordinary bravery and loyalty of both sides of this conflict, the colours of red and white came to have special significance in Japan, most notable in the colours of the Japanese flag itself. Symbolizing duty, sacrifice, and loyalty, Rigel and Betelgeuse still are seen as reminders of these basic Japanese values. Thus, it may be quite appropriate that the stars of Betelgeuse and Rigel shine as emblems for the heritage of Heike and Genji.
posted by Message from Japan on Monday, June 25, 2007 0 comments
I couldnt resist this KOTOGO! Lets get them to do a Gig!
Here is Kotogo.
They are Welsh, that is, they are based in Cardiff. They play the guitar and koto!
They combine the musical traditions of Japan and Wales with contemporary Western grooves. They play co-written original material and new arrangements, drawing on their backgrounds in classical Japanese music, traditional Welsh music and jazz.
KOTO-GO! Hiroko Sue - a renowned koto artist, and one of only a handful of players in the UK. She has performed extensively as a soloist playing classical Japanese music. Steve Garrett has travelled widely. His approach to the guitar mirrors that of Hiroko to the koto – using the instrument to create sound-pictures which combine sensitivity and dexterity.
See them and hear them on http://www.myspace.com/kotogo .
Also try duo EN at http://www.duoen.com/music.html but they are based in Seattle.
日本の手紙
posted by Message from Japan on Thursday, June 14, 2007 0 comments
AMATERASU
Kabuki and taiko drumming seem worlds apart: kabuki is an art form based on nuance and restraint; taiko drumming, from the festival world of matsuri and shrine dances, is all athleticism and exuberance. They have been brought together by an unusual collaboration -- "Amaterasu" -- between the famous kabuki onnagata Tamasaburo Bando and the internationally acclaimed taiko drumming group Kodo.
Introductory Video of Kodo. Remember the underlined text is a link to another web page. Click on it.
"The performance is an attempt to portray primordial human emotions. Myths are made of such things: efforts to best and dominate another god. 'I'm the sky and you're just the ocean. You better listen and obey me.' . . . I think the very primitive emotions of myth are a good fit with taiko drums." (Tamasaburo Bando).
The event is showing on Aug. 4 -6: Kodo with Tamasaburo Bando as "AMATERASU" at Kabukiza, Tokyo.
Kodo Village
After more than a decade of living in a converted schoolhouse, Kodo finally obtained 25 acres of forested land on the Ogi peninsula, and in 1988 the opening ceremony of the village was held. In keeping with Kodo's dedication to preserving traditional arts, the first structure was built from the timbers of a 200 year-old farmhouse that was scheduled for demolition.
posted by Message from Japan on Sunday, June 10, 2007 3 comments