26 iunie - Calatorie imaginara in Hakone si Nikko

Ne apropiem de o perioada foarte solicitanta pentru studenti, sesiunea de examene, dar la finalul careia ne asteapta vara, cu soare si caldura, experiente noi, specifice verii, unele memorabile, altele regretabile, insa care atunci cand vom trage linie, toate ne vor face sa zambim. Dar pana atunci dorim sa oferim o delectare, cu caracter constructiv in acelasi timp, pentru studenti si pentru oricine doreste sa se relaxeze savurand o portie de cultura japoneza in acelasi timp.

Cercul Prietenii Japoniei isi propune ca in aceasta sambata, 26 mai, pe Calea Motilor, nr. 48, intre orele 18:00 – 21:00, sa organizeze o intalnire in care vom viziona doua documentare de cate 30 de minute, despre Hakone si Nikkō, o regiune, respectiv o localitate din apropierea capitalei Tokyo, despre care vom afla diferite lucruri interesante.

Si intalnirea s-a desfasurat astfel, dupa cum frumos a descris d-l Radu N. in articolul de mai jos:

In data de 28 mai a avut loc cea de a doua intalnire de cultura japoneza organizata de Cercul Prietenii Japoniei in aceasta luna, data in care am hotarat sa mai facem un pas inainte spre a descoperi Japonia, ca si o tara turistica de data aceasta, intalnirea facand astfel parte din seria de intalniri pe care noi am numit-o sugestiv „Descopera Japonia”.

In acest scop am proiectat in cadrul intalnirii doua documentare realizate de NHK World, din seria Journeys in Japan (Calatorii in Japonia), in care diferite persoane viziteaza diferite locuri din Japonia. La aceasta intalnire am vizionat doua calatorii, in Hakone si Nikkō, insa inainte de a viziona documentarele si de a calatori in Japonia cu ajutorul acestora, am pornit intr-o calatorie a visurilor fiecaruia dintre noi. Tonul calatoriei a fost dat de un citat citit de catre dra Minodora Buta, care ne indemna sa cautam in noi adevaratul nostru ego, si care ne provoca sa avem curajul si increderea sa il urmam, sa ne descoperim adevarata valoare prin introspectie si curaj, si nu in ultimul rand sa punem pe primul loc lucrurile cu adevarat valoroase. Odata tonul dat, fiecare participant a putut sa isi impartaseasca unul din visele sale, legate de cele mai multe ori de Japonia, si locurile pe care ar vrea sa le viziteze acolo.

Dupa acest moment introductiv de cunoastere atat personala cat si de cunoastere a celor din jur, a inceput proiectia primului video, despre Hakone. Am vizitat astfel, virtual, urcand cu telecabina pe versantul muntelui, pana intr-un loc parca aflat intr-o alta lume, o zona foarte populara pentru turisti, unde se mananca kurotamago, oua fierte in apa termala, coaja innegrindu-se astfel datorita mineralelor din apa. Mai departe am vizitat lacul Ashinoko cu barca, descoperind pe malul acestuia locuri interesante, cum ar fi un templu al cuplurilor si un izvor de munte care se varsa in lac. Dupa plimbarea cu barca am trecut printr-o reproducere fidela a unui punct de control din perioada Edo, un loc istoric la granita dintre Kyoto si Edo de atunci. In final am mers cu bicicleta printr-o padure de pin japonez, ajungand la un maestru tamplar care confectiona obiecte din lemn folosind tehnica yosegi, renumite in regiune, tehnica ce foloseste alaturarea lemnului de diferite culori pentru a crea modele exceptionale.

Dupa proiectia primului documentar, dra Minodora Buta a povestit publicului despre experienta personala a dansei in Hakone, din urma cu cativa ani. Publicul a putut studia si cateva pliante si ghiduri turistice din regiune, amintiri personale ale drei Minodora.

Cea de-a doua calatorie a avut loc in Nikkō, o regiune la nord de Tokyo, la 140 km de capitala Japoniei. Acesta a fost si este un loc important in Japonia si in lume, fiind un parc national si patrimoniu UNESCO, unde se afla cateva constructii vechi impresionante. Calatoria noastra insa, facuta cu ajutorul documentarului, nu a vizat insa aceste monumente, ci a fost o calatorie prin natura, admirand peisajele si viata la munte.

Calatoria a inceput cu calatoria cu autocarul pana in muntii din Nikkō, ajungand la un magazin de suveniruri, cu felurite mancaruri conservate din regiune, cum ar fi inago, lacuste caramelizate in sos de soia dulce, sau kyarabuki, cozi de brusture japonez fier timp de 3 zile in sos de soia. Am putut vedea apoi si privelistea oferita de muntii si lacul din apropierea magazinului de suveniruri, dupa care am pornit la drum mai departe prin munti.

Dupa catva timp am ajuns la o coliba de la marginea drumului prin padure, unde se vindea carne de vanat, vanata in padurile din regiune de catre masaki, vanatori foarte priceputi. Indrumati de catre bucatar, am ajuns la casa unui astfel de vanator, care ne-a invitat la o calatorie prin padure, pe urmele vanatului. Am descoperit multe lucruri interesante in padure, fructe delicoase cum ar fi yamabudō, struguri de munte, ciuperci comestibile, un copac sacru, am invatat sa respectam natura pentru tot ceea ce ne ofera, si chiar daca lucrurile se gasesc acolo din belsug, sa nu luam niciodata mai mult decat avem nevoie. Trebuie sa aratam respect padurii si tuturor lucrurilor care ne inconjoara.

La finalul calatoriei ne-am oprit la un onsen, o baie termala in mijlocul padurii unde masaki obisnuiesc sa se opreasca si sa se relaxeze. A fost o calatorie foarte linistitoare si plina de inspiratie.

La finalul documentarului dl Radu Nedisan a aratat cateva fotografii cu atractiile turistice obisnuite din regiune cum ar fi Nikkō Toshōgū, mausoleul lui Tokugawa Ieyasu, unul din marii shōguni din istoria Japoniei, taiyuinbyō, mausoleul unui alt shōgun din shogunatul Tokugawa, si templul Rinnoji, construit in secolul 8 cand buddhismul a fost adus in regiune.

In final, chiar daca fizic am ramas pe scaunele noastre, cu imaginatia am putut calatori si noi acolo, si poate chiar mai incolo decat ceea ce documentarele au aratat. Consideram ca fiecare participant s-a intors acasa cu inca o amintire placuta.

*******English Version bellow: ******* 

On the 28^th of May took place the second meeting of the month, organized by Japan’s Friends Club. This time, we decided to make another step toward discovering Japan, this time as a tourist friendly country, thus the meeting could be considered part of the “Discover Japan” series.

To do that, in this meeting we projected two documentaries realized by NHK World, from the Journeys in Japan series, where different persons visit various places in Japan. This time we travelled to two regions called Hakone and Nikkō, but before watching the documentaries, we started an imaginary journey in each other’s dreams. The tone of the journey was given by a quote read by Ms. Minodora Buta. The quote invites us to look into ourselves and find our own original ego, our own value through introspection, to find the courage and will to follow the values we believe in, and learn to value the things that have real value. Once the tone was given, every participant had the chance to share one of their dreams, which were most of the time linked to Japan, and also share the places in Japan they would like to visit.

After this introductory moment of self awareness and acknowledgement of the dreams of the other participants, the first projection about Hakone started. We visited thus, virtually, a very popular spot for tourists, riding the ropeway up to the top of the mountain where we found a scenery from a different world, where people eat kurotamago, eggs boiled in thermal water, the shell of which darkens due to the minerals in the water. Then we visited Lake Ashinoko with a boat, discovering different hidden spots, like a shrine of matchmaking and a mountain spring which flew into the lake. After the boat trip, we passed through an accurate reproduction of an Edo checkpoint, an historical place at the border between old Kyoto and Edo. In the end we rode the bicycle through a majestic pine forest, reaching a yosegi craftsman, who was crafting wooden objects combining different colours of wood to get beautiful patterns, a craft for which the region is renowned.

After the first documentary Ms. Minodora Buta shared some of her personal experience in the region, a few years ago. The public could also study some original fliers and brochures brought from the region, personal memories of Ms. Minodora.

The second journey took place in Nikkō, a region some 140 km north of Tokyo, the japanese capital. Nikkō was and still is an important place in Japan and around the world. It is a National Park in Japan and part of UNESCO World Heritage, where a few impressive old monuments are built. Our journey however, made with the help of the documentary, did not have as object these well known and extensively visited places, but we headed deeper into the nature, admiring natural views and the life in the mountains of Japan.

The trip started with a bus trip to the mountains of Nikkō, at the destination finding a souvenir shop where different kinds of local preserved food was commercialized, like inago, caramelized locusts in sweet soy sauce, and also prepared, like kyarabuki, stalks of butterbur simmered in soy sauce for 3 days. At the shop we could also enjoy the view offered by the mountain and the lake nearby.

We went on walking the mountain road, and after a while we reached a hut by the road where game meat was being sold, the game being caught right in the nearby forests by masaki, experienced hunters in the region. With the help of the cook, we found such a hunter, who invited us to take a walk in the forest, to have a glimpse of the masaki life. We discovered many interesting things in the forest, delicious fruits like yamabudō, mountain grapes, some kind of edible fungi, a sacred tree, and we also learned that even if there is plenty of everything in the forest, we should never take more than we need. We have to pay respect to the forest and all that surrounds us.

At the end of the trip, we stopped at an onsen, a Japanese hot spring resort, in the deep of the mountains, a resort where masaki use to stop and relax after their hard work. It was a pleasant and inspiring journey.

At the end of the documentary, Mr. Radu Nedisan showed to the public a few images with the touristic attractions in the region, like Nikkō Toshōgū, the mausoleum of shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the great shōguns in the Japanese History, the mausoleum of another shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate, and Rinnoji temple, a temple built in the 8^th century when Buddhism was brought to the region.

In the end, even though our bodies remained on the chairs, our imagination travelled far away, maybe even farther than the documentaries showed. We consider that every participant returned home with a new precious memory.

Va anuntam ca in saptamana urmatoare, 21 – 25 mai, Ceainaria cu specific japonez “Sakura” de pe Calea Motilor, nr. 48, va functiona dupa programul normal de luni pana vineri, intre orele 12:00 – 20:00. In acest interval, la ceainarie vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

- Marti, 22 mai, orele 17:00 – 19:00 – Atelier Origami 

- Joi, 24 mai, orele 16:00 – 19:00 – Club de sah japonez, shogi.

Va anuntam de asemenea ca acum servim la ceainarie si kakigōri (Desert japonez pe baza de gheata macinata)!!!

            Va asteptam cu drag la ceainarie!

Evenimente culturale in perioada 14- 18 mai 2012

Va anuntam ca in saptamana in curs, la ceainaria cu specific japonez “Sakura” de pe Calea Motilor, nr. 48 vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

  - Miercuri, 16 mai, orele 17:00 – 19:00 – Atelier de desen.

  - Joi, 17 mai, orele 16:00 – 19:00 – Club de sah japonez, shogi

  - Vineri, 18 mai, orele 18:00 – 20:00 – Seara de basme japoneze.

   Va asteptam cu mare drag.

Shamisen si dansul traditional japonez

Sambata, 12 mai am reinceput intalnirile de cultura, dupa festivalul Japan Play Transylvania care avusese loc cu doua saptamani inainte, in zilele 27-29 aprilie. De aceasta data tema abordata a fost aleasa ca si o continuare la intalnirea din data de 17 martie, cand am vorbit intre altele, despre muzica si instrumentele muzicale japoneze. De aceasta data temele abordate au fost shamisenul si dansul traditional japonez.

Prezentarea primei teme, aceea a shamisen-ului, a inceput prin proiectia unui scurt clip dintr-un anime numit Nitaboh, in care un cantaret canta pe o scena la shamisen, in timp ce publicul asculta, inconjurat de flori de sakura. Imaginea a fost una minunata iar melodia cantata la shamisen a fost de asemenea, frumoasa, astfel ca prezentarea a inceput cu sunetul shamisen-ului proaspat in minte.

S-a prezentat un scurt istoric al acestui instrument muzical, originile sale venind din indepartatul Egipt, prin China, de unde un instrument numit sanxian a patruns in Japonia prin Okinawa. S-au prezentat, de asemenea, elementele componente ale shamisen-ului de azi, cu capul, gatul de lemn, cele trei coarde, cutia de rezonanta acoperita in cazul instrumentelor de calitate cu piele de pisica, si plectruul pentru ciupirea coardelor si lovirea corpului shamisen-ului, ce joaca rol de toba taiko, toate acestea putand sa aiba diferite forme si dimensiuni.

S-au prezentat si diferite stiluri de a canta la shamisen, intre care amintim nagauta, cantece de acompaniament pentru kabuki si bunraku, kouta fiind cantecele cantate de geisha si maiko la petrecerile japoneze, jiuta, cantecele traditionale la shamisen si tsugaru-shamisen, fiind un stil aparte de shamisen, provenit din regiunea Aomori a Japoniei. Odata cu aceste informatii am vizionat si cateva video-uri exemplificative, o domnisoara care invata sa cante la shamisen, un domn cantand Tsugaru Aiya-Bushi la shamisen, si pe dl Takahashi Chikuzan, un maestru orb, unul din promotorii Tsugaru-shamisen-ului.

In final am vizionat si ascultat si doua piese muzicale moderne in care shamisen-ul era folosit ca si instrument principal, dar pentru a canta muzica moderna, cum ar fi rock si bluegrass.

Dupa aceasta prima parte a intalnirii, dl Katsutaro Kawai a prezentat publicului un instrument muzical japonez interesant, o varianta mai moderna si simplificata a koto, instrument numit taishougoto. Dl Kawai ne-a prezentat acest instrument si a facut o scurta demonstratie, cantand melodia Sakura, Sakura la acest instrument, invitand apoi publicul prezent sa incerce sa cante la acest instrument muzical, la finalul intalnirii

Dupa acest moment de taishougoto, prezentarea a continuat cu dansul traditional japonez. S-au prezentat, la inceput, elementele principale ale Nihon Buyou, tezaurul adunat de cultura japoneza in materie de dans pana in ziua de azi, de-a lungul secolelor. Dansurile au fost extrase din alte arte, cum ar fi teatrul kabuki si noh. Din kabuki s-au extras temele care sunt reprezentate, notiunea de spectacol si miscarile obisnuite redate prin exagerare, dar nu pentru a le urati, ci pentru a scoate in evidenta frumusetea acestor miscari. Din teatrul noh s-au extras miscarile circulare si instrumentele de dans, cum ar fi evantaiul, care poate tine locul unei sabii sau a altor instrumente, dar si acele instrumente pot fi folosite in sine.

Au mai fost extrase miscari din dansurile populare, cu precadere miscarile energice, vioaie, sariturile si alte miscari asemanatoare. Au fost extrase si elemente de dans european si american.

In dansul traditional japonez se evidentiaza doua mari feluri de dans, numite mai si odori. Mai este un dans care se concentreaza mai mult pe introspectie, pe meditatie, impun un ritm al publicului care favorizeaza meditatia si este practicat in general in camere mici, cu un public select si intr-o atmosfera de meditatie, 

in timp ce dansurile de tip odori sunt mult mai vioaie si induc o stare de bine prin miscari fascinante si culori care incanta ochii. 

Sunt dansuri de spectacol, in acestea simtindu-se mai mult atmosfera de spectacol, ca in cazul kabuki si bunraku. Am vizionat doua dansuri reprezentative pentru fiecare stil.

In final am amintit si de existenta dansurilor de tip religios, kagura, dansate in diferite circumstante, fie de preotese numite miko, fie de calugari houshi. In aceasta categorie exista dansuri de purificare, dansuri de onorare a zeilor, dansuri de alungare a spiritelor rele sau dansuri prin care se pun in scena diferite legende si intamplari miraculoase. La final am vizionat si un astfel de dans.

Inainte de a incheia aceasta intalnire, dat fiind faptul ca era ziua de nastere a dnei Kayoko Kawai, iar cu o zi inainte, a drei Ana, am cantat La multi ani! si am adus un tort surpriza pentru cele doua sarbatorite.

 In final am ramas cu totii la inca putin timp de discutii, felicitari si poze, plecand acasa mai bogati cu inca o frantura de cultura japoneza.

  *****English Version bellow:******

Sunday, May 12^th we restarted our usual cultural meetings, after the Japan Play Transylvania festival that had taken place two weeks before, on April 27^th - 29^th. This time, the subject was chosen as a continuation of the meeting on March 17^th, when we discussed, among other things, about Japanese music and musical instruments. This time we talked about the shamisen and Japanese traditional dance.

The presentation of the first topic, the shamisen, started with a short fragment of an anime called Nitaboh, where a shamisen player performs on a stage, while the public is listening. The picture was beautiful, as was the shamisen song that was being played, so that we started off with the shamisen sound in mind.

After that, a short history of the shamisen was presented, with its origins as far as Egypt, travelling and changing shape through China, reaching Okinawa by the name sanxian, from where it spread throughout Japan. The component elements of a shamisen were also presented, starting from the head, through the wooden neck, the three strings, the cat-skin covered body and the plectrum of various shapes used to strike the strings and body of the instrument acting as a taiko drum, all of these having variations in shape and size.

Different types of shamisen music were also presented, some of which are nagauta, which are used as soundtracks for kabuki and bunraku, kouta, the compositions played by geisha and maiko at Japanese parties, jiuta, which is the original shamisen sound and music, and also a very different style called Tsugaru-shamisen, original from the Aomori prefecture of Japan. Together with this information, we watched a few examples, a young lady who learns how to play the shamisen, a man playing Tsugaru Aiya Bushi and Mr. Takahashi Chikuzan, a blind shamisen master, one of the original Tsugaru-shamisen players.

In the end we watched and listened to two modern songs, where the shamisen was used as a main instrument, but this time in order to play modern music, like rock and bluegrass.

After this first half of the meeting, Mr. Katsutaro Kawai presented an interesting Japanese musical instrument, a modern and simplified variation of koto, called taishougoto. Mr. Kawai presented and performed a short song, called Sakura, Sakura. In the end, he invited the public to give a try to the instrument, after the end of the meeting.

After the taishougoto moment, the presentation continued with Japanese traditional dance. In the beginning, Nihon Buyou was presented, which is the whole of what Japan gathered regarding dance throughout centuries. Dances were extracted out of other arts like kabuki and noh theatres. Kabuki was the origin of the themes represented by various dances, of the notion of show, spectacle and of the exaggerated moves representing the normal movement of somebody, exaggerated not in a manner that makes the movement unattractive, but the opposite, which emphasizes the beauty of the movement. From noh theatre were extracted circular movements, as well as dancing instruments, like the hand fan, swords and other dancing instruments, often replaced and represented through the hand fan.

Some other movements were extracted from folk dances, mainly lively movements, jumps, leaps and other similar movements. Some European and American movements were also extracted.

In Japanese traditional dance we have two main categories: mai dances and odori dances. Mai are dances which are more introspective, meditative, imposing a rhythm which favours meditation and is practiced mainly in enclosed rooms, in private spaces. Odori are much more lively generating pleasure by means of lively and visually astonishing movements, in a pool of colours. They are dances for stage and public display purposes, like kabuki and bunraku. We also watched two representative dances for each style.

In the end we also pointed the existence of a religious type of dance, kagura, which are practiced in different circumstances, by miko priestesses, or houshi monks. In this category there are purification dances, worship dances for various gods, dances for protection from bad spirits and dances which dramatize different legends and miraculous stories.

Before the end of the meeting, given the fact that it was Ms. Kayoko Kawai birthday and Ms. Ana’s birthday the day before, we sang Happy Birthday! and we served a surprise cake for the two of them. In the end we stayed a little bit more to discuss, give our regards to the celebrated and take pictures, returning home with another page of Japanese culture in our minds.

Calendarul activitatilor - Mai 2012

Iata ca am intrat in ultima luna de primavara, vara cu caldura ei patrunzatoare simtindu-se tot mai aproape. Pe unii din noi ne asteapta sesiunea de examene, altii deja planuim vacante de vis spre locuri extraordinare. Cu toate acestea, inca mai avem o luna de primavara care ne invita sa o savuram, luna mai, o scurta eternitate. In aceasta luna va incurajam sa fiti mai buni, sa va bucurati mai mult de tot ceea ce aceasta luna are de oferit, sa gasiti in tot ceea ce faceti mai multa placere, iar in final sa impartasiti mai mult si altora ceea ce v-a bucurat in tot acest timp!

Asa cum v-am obisnuit, va aducem la cunostinta si la acest inceput de luna, calendarul activitatilor pentru luna in curs, luna mai, activitati care vor avea loc la Ceainaria cu specific japonez „Sakura”, de pe Calea Motilor, nr. 48.

              De asemenea va informam ca in saptamana urmatoare 7 – 11 mai, la ceainarie vor avea loc urmatoarele activitati:

              - Marti, 8 mai, orele 17:00 – 19:00 – Atelier origami pentru copii, unde vom realiza modele simple, pentru copii si incepatori;

              - Joi, 10 mai, orele 16:00 – 19:00 – Club de sah japonez, Shogi.

Va asteptam cu mare drag la aceste evenimente!