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| When I arrived at the dojo tonight, I was running a little late. As I pulled into the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) parking lot, I could already hear the drums. I was late...damn! To be exact, I was 3 minutes late. Immediately, I rushed into the dojo and greeted everyone. Ai-chan was leading the class today since neither Kenny-Sensei nor Chizuko-Sensei were there. Atleast Chizuko-Sensei didn't show up for the TCP-trainee class.
But I started practicing with the group on the song "OSM". Which was only for a few minutes. And then we started practicing "Yodan". Needless to say, I royally fucked up. It's really sad and embarrassing when they have to explain the song piece-meal...and then repeat it just because I keep messing up. But I guess that's how its going to be. I think it'd be easier if I just let go and not worry about the mistakes I make throughout this process.
After the trainee's practice finished up, the KETE group was practicing for a few upcoming gigs. As I watch them perform, envy enstowes.
As I sat there watching in the dark, I started day dreaming. It was really weird, becuase all of a sudden UZUMAKI NARUTO popped into my head. In the long run though, I guess it makes sense. I couldn't stop comparing myself to him. Everyone sees him as the idiot (which I"m sure I'm something comparable at the moment in the taiko realm). But he gives it everything he has to fulfill his dreams.
"In the end, everything will be alright. If it's not alright, then it's not the end". Time to take heed in my own words.
zettai daijoubu
makenaiyo...makenaiyo...makenaiyo
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| About a month ago I moved out to Honolulu, Hawaii. I was awarded a year long taiko internship with Kenny Endo-sensei. For anyone who's studied taiko, I think most would agree with me that he's one of the better taiko players in the nation. And upon being accepted, I was in disbelief that I got accepted for his internship. First of all, it meant moving out to HAWAII for atleast a year and that I would be getting free taiko lessons from Kenny-sensei himself. And everything (for the time being) was falling into place for me.
But now as my days out in Hawaii start to progress, I'm starting to question what it is I'm really doing out here. Practices haven't gone thaaaat smoothly for me (for the most part). Thing is, we practice in almost pitch black conditions so it makes it really difficult to pick up the choreography and kata of the different songs. And for anyone who knows me, I'm sure, would agree I have the memory span of a dying guppy.
And what I've learned what happens with internship recipients is that they automatically become a Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble (KETE) Trainee and can join KETE if they are up to par with learning all of the different songs. However, I feel it's comparable to being thrown into the deep end of the ocean as sharks lurk below me. The time isn't taken to teach you the songs. What ends up happening is that I learn while I play I'll stand behind someone who knows the song (drum in hand), and I just end up trying to mirror them as best I can.
I know everyone says that If I stick with it, everything will turn out alright in the end. I need to make myself believe that everything will be alright and remember the reasons why I first started playing taiko in the first place. I need to try to call forth my long forgotten memories from the love and joy in taiko I once foud.
(poem written for Hide-Sensei before he left)
taiko legacy
Sweat beads
forming
at the top of the brow
as memories collide
rehearsing
in our minds
the ease of practice
with the comfort
and joyful laughter
of Tatsu
and his smelly farts
Snapping
back to reality
Grasping each bachi
trying to shake
the worries
of what’s to come
…Breathe
Step
after step
walking
into the darkness
as on-lookers
with their beady eyes
glare on
scrutinizing
your every move
and gesture
Gazing up
The towering
red odaiko
poses a threat
to those
who dare
challenege
yet
waits to be
unleashed
showcasing
all of its
true power
and glory
Cocked and ready
Arms lift
high in the air
As the silence
proves deafening
DONNNN~
Hit after hit
the waves
and sounds
of the beating drum
smash against
an invigorated audience
While
in the midst
standing solo
in this
darkened
blinding realm,
leaves behind
…your legacy
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| highlight of my day:
as i was driving home from the city today, there was a car to the right of me. as i glanced over at the car, i saw a young girl sitting in the back seat who didn't look much older than 4 or 5 years old. she was staring out the window with half of her face hidden underneath the window sill thingy. the only parts of her face you could see were her eyes and nose. as i sat looking at her for a couple of seconds, she lifted her head just enough to rest her chin on the window sill, and waved to me. i waved back, but i think at that point she might have been in pure astonishment from my gesture. she quickly turned to the driver and the person sitting in the passenger seat (probably her parents), said a few words and then turned back around and smiled at me. as i smiled back, i watched the car turn around the corner and start to drive off. fading into the distance, the little girl had gotten up and was now facing the back window. with the smile still on her face, she waved good-bye. | | |
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