Tenugui mumbling vol.26 - Smile from New York - Japan Art Matsuri, Kimono de Night and Presidential inauguration 2009
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
Japan Art Matsuri 2008 at the Polish & Slavic Center Greenpoint Brooklyn photo by Motoyuki Ishibashi
We joined Japan Art Matsuri 2008 (JAM2008) last November in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. JAM is an annual Japanese contemporary festival that is organized by Faune Dance Trope, who were celebrating 6th season. Many talented Japanese performers such as musicians, dancers, and artists who live in New York get together and share their amazing performances. This was our first show with JAM and we are so proud of ourselves to be their Tenugui vendor. I surely enjoyed showing our Tenugui Art and watching such energetic performances with an audience. It was the most remarkable Japanese festival for talented young artists in New York.
I would like to thank very much the Faune Dance Trope and JAM supporters that gave us a great opportunity. And many thanks to all the performers and the audience for sharing your great spirit with us… and bringing me a big smile!
kimono de Night at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
Kimono de Night is a monthly event that is organized by Feather Stone LLC ( Kumi Haneishi/President ). Most of the event members are Ms. Haneishi’s students and have taken lessons “HOW TO WEAR KIMONO YOURSELF”. Kimono is part of Japan’s great culture, that has many traditional values as well as complicated rules. It sounds silly but most of my generation can’t wear Kimono by ourselves even though we grew up in Japan. That was true for myself until I met Kumi-sensei.
She creates these events for the Kimono Lovers in New York to enjoy the Art of Kimono and also to encourage them to wear it themselves. So, we get together once a month with our beautiful Kimonos and have dinner or go to see performances like Opera, Dance, or even a comedy show. I always enjoy her events with my kimono, that has been handed down in my family that have many memories and stories. For instance, my mother wore it when she visited her future mother-in-law (my grandma) the first time, my aunt wore it when she came to see new born baby (me), and my grandmother wore it when she attended the ceremony of my grandfather’s receiving emperor’s medal… all Kimono are so special for me. And see! I use my Tenugui on my Kimono collar and enjoy my own style now. I am sure my Kimono is smiling the same as I do… and Yes, here in New York!
My dearest Kumi-sensei and Me! I use my Tenugui on my Kimono collar as a new style.
January 20, 2009… It was a moment of history in the United State. I don’t like to watch too much TV, because it is too much information to me and also so negative. But I watched all day during inauguration and saw big shinny smile on all of America’s face. We all have many difficult problems and bad days in the midst of crisis. But I do believe that each of our SMILES will help us bring HOPE to pursue the new coming days…
- to be continue…
From: Ruri
