Since returning home from a two-week stay in Japan, I have had some time to get back to my normal routine and readjust to the time change. Since then, I have had some time to thoroughly reflect on my experience and how it has affected me as a person and a musician.
For me, the amount of entries on this blog that it would take to explain all of the amazing experiences and what they meant to me would be absolutely staggering. I would even go as far as to say that it would be better to put them into a book instead. But one thing is for certain, I know that I need to go back.
As someone who is trying to dedicate themselves to the understanding of Japanese art, culture, and history, it is best to do the learning and training in the place where they come from. It is hard to really grasp a firm understanding and appreciation from afar, or say, out of a book. Learning the language is just as much an important part of my quest for knowledge and understanding. While in Japan, I learned more Japanese in two weeks than I have learned in ten years.
I have also had a moment to really think about my vision and mission for after college. The dream is to open a school with the mindset of giving those a chance to embrace and learn taiko drumming in the most natural surrounding possible. By opening a school for taiko drumming, I hope to take the dream even further by giving others the opportunity to learn different culturally significant art forms that have been deeply rooted in the Japanese for centuries. Arts like; ikebana, shodou, kaiga/gadou, Japanese carpentry, washouku, and gagaku – just to name a few.
With the future of some of these arts hanging in the balance, I feel that it is so important to try and do what I can to save them from ever being in danger of becoming extinct. Such a beautiful culture should be shared with the world and protected from the ever changing modern society that threatens their existence. That is why I am so passionate about creating a place where anyone from anywhere can come to learn and support these amazing arts, as well as having an opportunity to even visit Japan to gain insight and first-hand experience that is invaluable.
Of course, like anything in life worth doing, one must take the time to learn and gain their own individual experience. Only then is it possible to truly appreciate these precious forms of art.
Visiting Japan has opened my eyes and stoked the burning desire in my heart to do all that it takes to aid in the conservation efforts of classical Japanese arts. My next step is to continue on the quest for knowledge and the path of educating myself. At the same time, I must work diligently to gain perspective from respected artisans from all over the world. Building a network of resources, and gaining the trust of people who have been entrusted with passing on these immensely important art forms is my current mission.
For me, the amount of entries on this blog that it would take to explain all of the amazing experiences and what they meant to me would be absolutely staggering. I would even go as far as to say that it would be better to put them into a book instead. But one thing is for certain, I know that I need to go back.
As someone who is trying to dedicate themselves to the understanding of Japanese art, culture, and history, it is best to do the learning and training in the place where they come from. It is hard to really grasp a firm understanding and appreciation from afar, or say, out of a book. Learning the language is just as much an important part of my quest for knowledge and understanding. While in Japan, I learned more Japanese in two weeks than I have learned in ten years.
I have also had a moment to really think about my vision and mission for after college. The dream is to open a school with the mindset of giving those a chance to embrace and learn taiko drumming in the most natural surrounding possible. By opening a school for taiko drumming, I hope to take the dream even further by giving others the opportunity to learn different culturally significant art forms that have been deeply rooted in the Japanese for centuries. Arts like; ikebana, shodou, kaiga/gadou, Japanese carpentry, washouku, and gagaku – just to name a few.
With the future of some of these arts hanging in the balance, I feel that it is so important to try and do what I can to save them from ever being in danger of becoming extinct. Such a beautiful culture should be shared with the world and protected from the ever changing modern society that threatens their existence. That is why I am so passionate about creating a place where anyone from anywhere can come to learn and support these amazing arts, as well as having an opportunity to even visit Japan to gain insight and first-hand experience that is invaluable.
Of course, like anything in life worth doing, one must take the time to learn and gain their own individual experience. Only then is it possible to truly appreciate these precious forms of art.
Visiting Japan has opened my eyes and stoked the burning desire in my heart to do all that it takes to aid in the conservation efforts of classical Japanese arts. My next step is to continue on the quest for knowledge and the path of educating myself. At the same time, I must work diligently to gain perspective from respected artisans from all over the world. Building a network of resources, and gaining the trust of people who have been entrusted with passing on these immensely important art forms is my current mission.