Date: Fri Nov 15, 2002
Subject: Autumn in Kyoto

Hi folks,

It's been quite a while since I wrote, but here I am again. I've been quite busy, as you do in Japan, working 5 days a week, playing music and hanging out with my lovely girlfriend on weekends, and every time I get on the internet I spend all my time emptying my Inbox and never really have the time to write new stuff...

Anyway, it's now autumn in Kyoto, getting quite chilly for a Brisbane boy - say 6min to 14max on a typical day. But the autumn leaves, for which Japan and Kyoto are quite famous, are truly lovely. The trees are turning every colour from yellow, gold, orange, bright pink to deep red. Temples, where trees with the most beautiful leaves are in profusion, are particularly scenic. You can check out some photos at: http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/kp/english/photos/momiji/themomiji1.html

Life in Kyoto continues much as before. Work is much the same, except that I'm now teaching Kids classes. I have 2 classes a week of 5 students each - one class of 4-6 year olds and one of 7-9 year olds - plus a few one-on-one classes with 10-12 year olds (almost always girls for some reason).

The music scene has been great. I've been too busy to meet or rehearse with too many people, so as a result I've only been playing Indian classical music, which doesn't need any rehearsal time, just solo practice and then get together and play. I haven't been doing too many gigs either, but I've had some good jams in people's homes. Two of the gigs I have done were with touring didjeridu players from Australia - first Si and then Ganga Giri - which were both a pleasure and a blast.

BUT there have been some great gigs to see. First, one of the big highlights of the Indian music year in Japan, the yearly Gifu Sangeet Mela. It's held in a village in north Gifu and features most of Japan's best Indian classical musicians and dancers from 6pm to 6am - Indian style! The standard of musicianship (and dance) here is very high. There are several performers who've been learning and practising for 20+ years. Most of the performers were Japanese, except for a Spanish bansuri player and an Indian tabla player, who actually wasn't as good as the main Japanese tabla player.

There have also been some great touring musicians. Recently I saw a Nepali sitar-tabla duo who were fantastic. They also played with a 15 year old Japanese girl who's been studying with them in Kathmandu. Her future is bright in Indian music. Around the same time I saw members of Les Ballets Maliens - the national drum/dance group of Mali. Unfortunately there were only 3 of them, assisted by a couple of Japanese djembe/doundoun players from Tokyo, but it was still a fun show. I felt very nostalgic for all the great African music that goes on in Brisbane with brother Elliott and co. As they say in Japan - NATSUKASHII! (Nostalgic feeling!)

Now I'm looking forward to my holidays. Every year, NOVA closes from around Dec 28-Jan 4, and I'm taking most of my paid holidays around then to visit my Guru-ji in Varanasi. After my last day of work on Dec 25 (it sure will seem strange to put on a suit and work on Christmas Day!), I'll fly off to Bangkok for a night, then to Calcutta to catch an overnight train to Benares, spend 18 days there and then make the 2 1/2 day return journey to Kyoto, get my suit on again the next day, and get back into 5 day working weeks again until I finish up in June/July. I'm really looking forward to seeing Varanasi, my Guru-ji, my friends there (including sister Liz from Brisvegas) and getting some lessons and inspiration.

That's all the news for now. Next time I'll probably write from India.

OH BTW - I've made a couple of updates to the Links page on my website - if you're looking for some interesting sites please visit www.ethnosuperlounge.com/links.htm

Love to all,
Shen
Aum Mani Padme Hum