Where in Japan are Bob & Chris January 8

Bob & Chris are still in Kumamoto City until January 10th. They spent January 8th greeting the pastors and leaders of schools and social ministries in Kumamoto by visiting each one to say a traditional thanks and farewell. After greetings and farewell in the morning they visited the home of Oe Church members Katsura. Here they experienced a treat of Japanese culture; a Tea Ceremony and a private concert on the traditional instruments of Koto and Syakuhachi. The Tea Ceremony was served by Katsura, Yoko in her family home. The home is very traditional in both size and construction. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens on the outside. Inside the rooms are of tatami with traditional art on the walls. The concert was given by Tajima, Ryoko on the Koto and Tajima, Eizan on the Syakuhachi. The Koto is a multiple string instrument played from the floor while the artist kneels. It is constructed of fine wood and ivory. The tone is what a western ear identifies as “Oriental” music. After the concert Ryoko invited Chris to receive a brief lesson and then try a simple piece of music. She enjoyed the opportunity. The Syakuhachi is a flute like instrument made from bamboo. It has no reed. It produces a mystical flute like sound when the player blows at the precise angle required in a slit at the end of the instrument. Before the concert Eizan invited Bob to attempt to make a sound with one of the Syakuhachi that Eizan brought to the concert. After many attempts Bob did produce a single squeak like sound of mystical origin! The Tajima’s concert included two traditional pieces that transported the listeners to the places of the music. Bob and Chris and the others in the Katsura home were transported by the music to springtime in Japan. First they went to the ocean and then to a forest of cherry blossoms as they heard “Spring Ocean” and “Sakura” performed as a duet on Koto and Syakuhachi. It was a wonderful experience of ancient Japanese culture. It was far different from the modern Japanese technology that will transport Bob and Chris to Hiroshima and then Osaka in the next few days; the Shinkansen or Bullet train.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben