Our Prayers for You BYJ Sister Onpu-san and all Tohoku Kajok...

Onpu-san is a lovely BYJ sister who lives in Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture.
She was one of the sisters who crossed our minds immediately when the big quake hit the area, and we were very anxious about her safety. Then Makishi-san (whom many of you will be familiar with for her wonderful photos!) was able to confirm that she was alright… what a relief it was.

But anyone in Japan could guess her troubles were far from over, and many were suffering from more severe damages in the area. Yesterday, I sent a message to Makishi-san to ask how she was holding up and sought for her advice on introducing onpu-san’s beautiful art/video works here. Makishi-san said that it would be a good idea, and she also updated me on her recent happenings. I would like to share onpu-san’s tweets since the day of the big disaster.

Also, I hope you will take a moment to take a look at one of my favorite video works created by her in the past. It expresses her joy and gratitude towards meeting this wonderful man, wuri Bae Yong Joon-ssi. Since she is a musician herself("onpu 音符" means musical note), I think that not only her artwork but her selection of music also speak to our hearts as well. I am full of appreciation for her sharing this work. My prayers for onpu-san , all BYJ kajok, and everyone coping with this difficult situation.


Onpu-san’s tweets since March 11, 2011

First tweet on march 11
In a bind. Family scattered in different places. Can’t get in touch with them. Electricity and gas is out, and getting frequent and strong afterquakess. The whole house in a mess.

Second tweet;
I was able to get in touch with my family. All alone in my house, and I’m scared. I can’t use my PC. I will cut my cell phone because I’ll run out of battery.

14 Mar (1)
I was in total panic during the disaster because the quake was so big and long. In our district, we got our electricity back.

14 Mar 4 (2)
Watching the cruel reality on TV, my heart is crushed. The messages of support from all of you and Yong Joon-san makes me feel warm, and I am so grateful that I am moved to tears.
(3)
I still cannot get in touch with my friend who lives near the coast, and I am worried. The IN and phone is still disconnected. The magnitude of the disaster is huge. I hope all of you will continue to be careful. I will try to save electricity too.

26 Mar
No water and gas yet at my home. But just now, I was able to get a numbered ticket to buy gas for my car and I’m waiting in line. I’m so happy!

26 Mar
Thank you everyone. I am covering my dishes with plastic wraps to minimize the wash. I was able to buy wraps at a supermarket nearby. There was no fresh food until about 3 days ago, but with the expressways starting to open, it seems food distribution is recovering little by little.

26 Mar
To friends; I am sorry to have you worry. I am thankful for your messages and they make me happy. Electricity was back in 3 days, and we plan to get our water back by the 28th. Only a few days to go. I was finally able to line up for heating oil today so that was a great relief.

26 Mar
I was able to fill my car with gas after lining up for 2 hours and a half. It’s the first time since we ran out completely on the second day after the quake. I’m SOOO HAPPY~~! (T.T)

26 Mar
Thank you everyone. With my car loaded, I immediately went to my parents’ house that already got its lifeline back. I was able to take a bath for the first time in 6 days, and I feel refreshed body and soul.

26 Mar
The lifeline we took for granted… I have really come to realize how important they are. Living in a safe and clean condition is something we must be truly thankful for. After coming home, I noticed that I have received many direct messages from you. I was moved to tears with all of your warm words. Thank you for your concern. I will now write back to you <(_ _)>

27 Mar
I feel ever so grateful for the connection between people, and I have nothing but words of thanks<(_ _)>
And today, our water system has recovered a day earlier than scheduled. I was so happy with the sense of running water that I washed up many things without even minding how cold it was.

28 mar
Ohh… I am so grateful for your words of support you send me every day. Hearing you say “we are all connected” makes me so happy!

28 Mar
My best friend who lives in the coastal area finally called me after a week and I broke down in tears. Carrying her mother who is ailing from a serious disease on her back, she reached her car and fled to a higher ground and spent the night in the mountains. Her cell phone was swept away by the tsunami while she was fleeing. She returned from the evacuation center yesterday, and listening to the stories she has to tell that are not reported on TV… the unimaginable left me speechless.

29 Mar
Dear friends - my friend and her mother were able to get back safely, but her house was completely destroyed. There are people missing in her family. She said that she didn’t let out even one yawn during the 2 weeks while she was evacuating… She said she was surprised to find herself yawning many times after coming back to her home…

29 mar
(my friend), she must have been under so much stress. When I asked her, what do you need, she said she wanted to take a bath…It hurt me to hear that she was finally able to bathe after 14 days since the quake. All I could say was “come back any time when we get our gas back...!” I feel so ashamed for not being able to do anything for her when I am here. Let’s pray and hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day then yesterday.

30 mar
I-san, music that gives me courage is what supports me♪Thank you for such wonderful lyrics that give me power. Tomorrow should be a better day than today… I will keep a song and smile in my heart and live today making the most of it. Y-san, thank you for always being at my side and supporting me! We may get our gas back today!

31 Mar pm (latest tweet)
Just as I was starting to think that we were moving forward very slowly… getting our lifeline back… I just heard that a friend I was worried about who was missing did not make it. This unbelievable reality… I am just so sad that I am losing all my strength. Tomorrow, it will be 3 weeks from the disaster. The traces are still huge, and I am in a state of numbness, at the same time feel this unfocused frustration… I can’t stop the tears from running down my face while I am doing housework…

Just as I (flowerbossa) was reading onpu-san’s last tweet with a heavy heart, I got a message from her:

Dear flowerbossa-san,

It has been awhile. How have you been? Thank you for asking about me - Aoba-ku of Sendai City where I live has been spared major damages. But the coastal area has been totally devastated. We are still under much anxiety.

And thank you for adding my youtube videos (onpu43) to your list. Makishi-san sent me a message to me about you too. I was so happy that you remembered me, and with gratitude towards your warm words, I would like to live on with a positive attitude.

Thank you very much for praying for us. I too will continue to pray. Please send my kindest regards to pallet-san.

onpu

TO WATCH VIDEO PLEASE CLICK THE PHRASE IN THE CENTER WHICH SAYS
YOUTUBE で見る

Reflections 04

SOCKS FOR JAPAN - A Way to Deliver LOVE & Warmth

Wuri BYJ sister satovic shared this information with me, and I thought it was a meaningful and loving way to support the people in the stricken areas of Japan. Please read the info below plus the details written in the website, and share it with anyone around you who might be interested.
Arigato!


From the website SOCKS FOR JAPAN:
http://jasonkelly.com/helpjapan/

Here’s a way you can help Japan, directly and meaningfully.

Hundreds of readers in the United States and other parts of the world have asked me how they can help the survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck Japan on March 11. There are many places to donate money, and that’s a wonderful thing to do, but direct aid is also cherished by survivors.

My office location is perfect for managing a direct-aid operation because it’s close enough to the primary damage zone that we can physically get there to help, but far enough away that mail delivery is working. So we quickly set ourselves up to run this operation, called Socks for Japan.

Guidelines:

•Send only new socks. All human beings are comforted by a fresh, clean pair of socks. Other advantages socks offer this operation: they’re light, their sizes are easy, they don’t break, people need lots of them in disastrous times away from home, and people can keep them forever to remember that somebody from far away cared. Please do not send any other items of clothing, food, etc. Just socks, but go ahead and choose nice ones that will brighten somebody’s day. You might receive a discount by showing our letter to your local store manager.

•Put each pair in a sealed plastic bag. Want your socks to find needy feet asap? So do we! Please speed up our processing by taking socks out of bulk packaging, removing clasps or ties binding them together, and putting each pair in its own sealed clear plastic bag. Waterproof bags, such as Ziploc brand, are useful to people without homes. They serve a dual purpose: delivering socks in good shape, and providing a way for people to keep items dry.

•Enclose a care letter. Japanese people treasure letters, especially ones from foreigners. Survivors of the 1995 Hanshin quake in Kobe said that care letters were among the most uplifting items they received. So, please enclose a copy of your letter with each pair of socks in a plastic bag. For help composing and translating your letter, see our care letter creation page.

•Label, compress, and seal. You should now have a pair of socks and your care letter in each plastic bag. One more helpful item: a label. Either write on the outside of the bag or insert into each bag a piece of paper identifying one of these categories: man, woman, boy, girl, baby. Once that’s done, squeeze out excess air to make the bag as small as possible, then seal it shut. This preparation will make our inventory management and distribution a cinch!

•Write your email address noticeably on the package. The most efficient way for us to keep in touch with you, and track the status of your package once we receive it, is via your email address. Please write it on the outside of your package so we can communicate with you without opening the package.

•Write “Urgent: Relief Supplies” boldly on the package. This will avoid import duties, guarantee priority handling at customs, and achieve rapid processing through hubs. Packages are arriving more quickly than usual. Everybody is dedicated to getting this nation back on its feet — in clean socks!
Please ship your package to my office:

Jason Kelly
Plaza Kei 101
Wakamatsu-cho 615-6
Sano, Tochigi 327-0846
Japan
EMAIL: PHONE: +81 501-014-7773
Thank you for your support! When your package arrives, we’ll send a note to you
at the email address you wrote on it.

<日本国内の方へ＞


３月２３日:ボランティア募集！

世界中からたくさんの靴下そして心のこもった応援レターが届いています。現在仕分け作業が追いついていない状態です。ぜひ栃木県佐野市で私たちと一緒に活動してみませんか？年齢性別問いません。被災者の為に何かしたいというあなたの思いだけで十分です！

お問い合わせはこちらまで。　

担当　大谷
email:
Phone: 080-6421-0833

O Rei Dança!

(photo of Kazuyoshi Miura from Mainichi Shimbun)




Obrigada King Kazu!
Força!!

Charity Football Match for Japan

Japan’s National Team (Samurai Blue) vs J. League All-Stars
March 29 March@Osaka Nagai Stadium

Yumi Matsutoya with Friends Of Love The Earth " Smile Again"

Artists of Asia came together on Japanese TV on March 28 to show their support for Japan -
Dick Lee (Singapore), Amin (China),Lim Hyung Joo(Korea),ehru player Xu Ke(China)and Yumi Matsutoya(Japan).

Yumi Matsutoya

Dick Lee

From The Making of super stars by Leslie Kee
"ASIA IS ONE" in collaboration with 300 Asian Artists
dedicating to the victims of the Asia Tsunami Disaster (Nov, 2006)

Joon Sang... always...

Children of Iwate Singing "Higher Than the Sky"

"I found my school bag!" A first grader of Ishimaki city in Miyagi prefecture had evacuated from the classroom empty handed. He returned to the muddy classroom on the 24th for the end of school year ceremony.
(From Asahi Shimbun March 24,2011 edition)

A nursery school teacher of Ninohe city in Iwate prefecture, sent a recording of her children singing Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa's song "Higher Than the Sky". The children wanted to cheer the people up in the devastated areas. The song is being played on a radio station in Iwate (IBC)many times a day, and people are calling in to say that their voices give them a lot of power. The song writers Shinzawa-san and Nakagawa-san were interviewed by the station the other day to give their comments.

Introduction by a little boy:
".... many people helpled us. We are small, and can't do anything, but we will sing a song. Please listen to us. "Higher Than the Sky"
(Ninohe was also hit by the earthquake but not as bad as other areas.)



Higher Than the Sky
Words: Toshihiko Shinzawa
Music: Hirotaka Nakagawa/ Scottish Folk Song

People have hearts that are higher than the sky
Higher than any sky
So don’t give up saying it’s all over
Wipe your tears
And try to sing
Your heart, be high
Be higher, higher than the sky

People have hearts that are deeper than the sea
Deeper than any sea
So don’t turn your back
Saying you’re fed up
Fix your eyes on it
And believe
Your heart be deep
Be deeper, deeper than the sea

So don’t give up
Saying that it’s all over
Wipe your tears
And try to sing
Your heart, be big
Be bigger, bigger than the sky
Your heart, be strong
Be stronger, stronger than the sea

(translated by:flowerbossa)

BYJ kajoku will probably remember that Morioka city in Iwate prefecture is where BYJ stayed to learn lacquer art.

Jane Birkin Sends Her Love on Japanese FM Radio J-Wave (amended)

Mar 25 (FRI)

French artist Jane Birkin was just on Japanese radio.
She had requested to give her message to the Japanese people on Japanese FM Radio J-WAVE. (navigator Jon Kabira)

(I will summarize the first part:

Q:Where were you when you heard about the earthquake?

I was home and heard it on TV, it was the most horrifying and shocking thing I'd seen in my life. I couldn't believe it.
My kids and friends called me immediately.
I watched the news all night long.
I have known Japan for almost 20 years, and I had performed in Sendai before.
I couldn't believe what was happening in Fukushima, horrifying , shocking
(repeats her self).

The next morning I went to a Japanese restaurant in Paris because I wanted to see the Japanese people. I have never kissed so many Japanese people in my life...
It hurt me to see the Japanese in Paris worry about their families at home.
Fortunately my friends' families were safe, but it still hurt to think about the others.

Worried, I sent out e-mails to my friends in Tokyo.

The 50 heroes in Fukushima who were exposed to radiation...

Mothers searching for their children, people searching for their loved ones....
The 9500 people who have died...

You people are so brave....
the dignity...
calm, consideration towards others....

We are witnessing the best of Japanese people.

I think everyone is in accord that they have never seen a country that behaved so beautifully towards people who were there.

(被災地にいる人に対して、あれほど人道的で美しい態度で接することができる国民を見たことがないと誰もが思うでしょう。）

Q: I hear you are planning to take action to aid the stricken ones. What are your ideas?

I am planning a solidarity on April 12 with some artists.
And gave my handbag up for charity and asked EMI to put it online.
And I have been asking people to donate to the red cross.
I'm thinking about the best way to send the money.
I will also be doing a charity concert on May 31 in Paris.
Everybody wants to participate.

From here, transcribed from podcast recording:

(May I ask for a message to the Japanese people?
Some of the stricken ones will be able to hear this through internet radio or community FM.)

Can I say how much we love you,
how much we admire you for the lesson you've given us in Europe and the world in how you have handled this.

I think “LOVE” is the greatest word I can say to you tonight, or rather this morning for you.
If there is anything we can do to help…
If it helps at all to let you know we are thinking about you and have been thinking about you ever since this happened, then know that our thoughts and love and also our admiration. For the people up north, I just hope I can get enough money so that you have things to cover you and keep you warm. But in the meantime, keep yourself warm with LOVE, the love that is coming from everyone here in France and England and everyone who loves you so much and admires you so much.

And the brave heroes, the 50 heroes who are in the nuclear power plant center, we are so astounded by such extraordinary behavior, such courage and your courage.

And what can I say to the people who lost their families, their entire families…
Apart from sending love, affection, and any sweet thoughts that I can give you tonight, or morning for you…

Or from the whole world…I am here with my best friend Gabriel and from London, Paris and all over Europe our greatest, greatest, love… and my love to Sashiko (and a few other names) and my love to all the people I’ve known in any concert, all the people I’ll never get to know…
I would love to come back as soon as possible to be able to sing with you, to be with you.
That would be the greatest privilege to be with you again.

Kabira: Thank you very much Ms. Birkin, for your time and warm message.

B: Thank you, thank YOU for the honor of being able to talk to you. Arigato.

K: Arigatogozaimashita. Thank you very much.

B: Thank you, thank you. Bless you, bless you…

K: And more blessings to you too. Thank you very much and good night.

B: Thank you…

Taro Hakase's Charity Concerts in London

'KIZUNA' - prayer for Japan - by Valerio Berruti & Ryuichi Sakamoto

I am stunned by the power of nature, the vastness of the damage and
the feebleness of humanity. I urge us, everyone, to take this as a moment
to recognize our arrogance in thinking that we can control nature.
I send my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones
in the earthquake and tsunamis.

Ryuichi Sakamoto

ぼくは自然の力の強大さ、被害の甚大さ、
人間のあまりの小ささに呆然としています。
これを機会に自分たちを見つめ直し、
自然をコントロールできるなどという傲りから
目を覚ますことをねがってやみません。
被害にあわれた方たち、
愛する者を失った方たちへ
心からの哀悼の意を表します。

坂本龍一

(from SAKAMOTO.COM)



Japan Society, New York - CONCERT FOR JAPAN

"Maybe We Can Support the People With Songs..." Community

Different version with singer Satoko Yamano

Count the Stars

Words by: Yasuhiko Kawasaki
Music by: Toshihiko Shinzawa

On a quiet night I looked up at the sky.
I saw a small shooting star go by.
Somewhere you too must be resting your wings,
And looking up at the same sky.

The light of even the smallest star
Is the shine of long ago.
So with hope that your tomorrow will shine,
Count the stars and rest for now.

With hope that your tomorrow will shine,
Count the stars and rest for now.

(translated by flowerbossa)

"This is singer and song writer, Toshihiko Shinzawa.
I have written the lyrics to songs such as “Sekaijuuno Kodomotachiga (Children of the World)” and “Sayonara Bokutachino Yochien (Good bye Our Kindergarten)”.



Ever since the devastating earthquake occurred on March 11, I have been constantly thinking about whether there is something I can do.
And since my job is to write and sing songs, I came to the conclusion “that” is the only thing I CAN do.

In the past too, in times like the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004, I was active in making songs with people like composer Hirotaka Nakagawa-san and Kuni Kawachi-san, doing concerts, and making CDs etc.

But it crossed my mind that maybe there are people out there that want to do something, but feel they are unable to do anything on their own; people who are being taken over by a whirlwind of emotions and have words that are about to overflow but have no place to express it… all sorts of people.

Ever since I started to go on twitter and mixi (a Japanese SNS), I discovered that I am able to interact with all kinds of people in a much more active way. That’s how I got the idea of getting together to create songs.

I will upload some rough drafts of lyrics which do not have any music yet. I hope someone who sees them will feel free to give it a tune. (Anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are a pro or an amateur.)

I don’t have any ideas on how I will present them or deliver them yet.
I just thought that it would be nice to have someone provide music to the words, and make them into a new song. I think it’s perfectly okay for a number of people to give them a different tune. I’d be really happy if people will participate freely.

And if there are people who write lyrics, feel free to introduce them here. (Anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are a pro or an amateur.) Then someone can write music for them too, and it would be nice to see more songs being created.

I have no idea how this is going to help the people who have been affected by the huge earthquake. Maybe it won’t. But I want to have more faith in the power of songs. Well, making songs, that’s the only thing I can do, so that’s what I’m doing.

If we get a lot of songs, maybe we can have an event like a concert where we can all sing together. Maybe we can even go to Tohoku to sing.
Maybe that sounds like a dream, but rather than just watching the news on TV and feeling sad, I wanted to start something…"

Shinzawa-san is a friend of mine from high school.
I feel so happy (and proud^^) that he has started this wonderful community for us - not just for the puropose of supporting the people suffering at the site of the devastated areas, but we too who are relatively far away feel so much more energized by this activity.

May the world be filled with song and music!

p.s. And oh, DO share this with your friends^^
BETTER YET, join the club and send us lyrics for this song!


シンガーソングライターの新沢（シンザワ）としひこと言います。

「世界中のこどもたちが」や「さよならぼくたちのようちえん」などの作詞を手がけています。
３月11日に起きた、未曾有の大地震に、僕も何か出来ることはないだろうか、とずっと考えていました。
僕は歌を作ったり歌ったりすることを仕事としていますので、やはり出来ることはそれしかないだろう、と思いました。
今までも、阪神・淡路大震災の時も、中越大地震の時も、作曲家の中川ひろたかさんやクニ河内さんと歌を作ったり、コンサートをしたり、CDを作って発表してきたりしました。

でも、もしかしたら、何かしたいけれど、なかなか自分だけでは出来ない、と思っている人、いろいろな気持ちが渦巻いて、あふれるように言葉になったりするのだけれど、それは発表の場が無いという人、いろいろな人がいるのではないか？と思いました。

僕も、Twitterやmixiをやるようになって、いろいろな人との交流が以前よりもずっと活発に出来るようになりました。今度は、みんなで歌を作るというのはどうだろう？と、考えました。

つたないものですが、まだ曲のついていない歌詞をいくつかトピックスであげようと思います。
これは見ている誰かが、自由に、好きに曲をつけてくれたらいいな、と思っています。（プロとかアマとか問いません。誰でも）

それをどんな風に発表するとか、どう伝えるとか、まだ何にも考えていません。
ただ、誰かが曲をつけてくれて、新しい歌になっていったらいいな、と思っただけなのです。
いろいろな人が、違う曲をつけてしまっても、良いのではないか、と思っています。自由に参加してもらえたら嬉しいです。

そして歌詞を書く人も、どんどんトピックスであげてもらって、自由に発表して欲しいと思っています。（プロとかアマとか問いません。誰でも）
それを、また誰かが曲をつけたりして、たくさんの歌が出来たら良いな、と思うのです。

それが、東北関東大震災の被害にあった人たちの、何の役に立つのかは全然分かりません。役には立たないかも知れません。でも、歌の力を、僕は、もっと信じたいと思うのです。
まあ、僕は歌しか作れないので、こういうことしか出来ないな、と思って。

歌がいくつも出来たら、みんなで歌うコンサートのイベントが出来るかも知れません。東北に歌いにいくことだって、出来るかもしれません。
それは夢みたいなことかも知れないけど、ただテレビのニュースを見て、悲しい気持ちになっているだけよりも、何か始めたいな、と思ったのでした。

良かったら、参加してください。
歌など自分では作らない人でも、興味があるとか、歌詞だけ読んでみたい、などと思われた方、是非、コミュに参加してください。
また、感想、いろいろアドヴァイスや、新しいアイデアなどもらえると嬉しいです。
(以下省略）

(mixi の「大震災・歌で応援できないかな」コミュニティー」から転載させていただきましたm(_ _）m）

Messages from New York

Our dear friends in New York, arigato.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

Zaccheroni's Samurai Blue will Not Give Up!

Zaccheroni intends to be back in Japan for charity match
Thursday 17th March, 02:01 AM JST

TOKYO —
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni intends to return to the quake-hit country in time for a charity match on March 29 in Osaka, Japan Football Association technical director Hiromi Hara said Wednesday. ‘‘We see this charity match as the first activity to support the people in the affected areas,’’ Zaccheroni said in a statement. ‘‘We hope to encourage them even a little bit.’‘

Zaccheroni flew to Italy with his four assistants to reassure their families of their safety, a day after Friday’s devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan.

Japan Today© 2011 Kyodo News

イタリアに一時帰国している日本代表のアルベルト・ザッケローニ監督が、来週中にも日本に戻ることが分かった。同監督は、29日に大阪の長居陸上競技場で開催されるJリーグ選抜とのチャリティーマッチで日本代表の指揮を執る予定となっている。

The coach of Japan's national team spoke to Italy's "Il Resto del Carlino".

I have a strong desire to return to Japan to help the people of Japan through football. That is my job. I am convinced that football can contribute to the recovery of the country.

In the seven months I have known the Japanese, I have remained conquered by their sense of duty, by their spirit of sacrifice, by their dignity.

I am not a hero. They are in anxiety and I am very worried. But I want to help these people.

Former Principal of the Royal Ballet Miyako Yoshida for Tsunami Appeal Concert

Yoshida passes on her knowledge and experience on "Don Quixote" Act 3 on NHK's "SUPER BALLET LESSON"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOjR9DJo-oU&feature=player_detailpage#t=9s

Taro Hakase's Charity Concert Sold Out! RERUN on 20th 10AM!

The SOLD OUT concert will streamed live on USTREAM!!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/openmind-live

http://www.cadoganhall.com/showpage.php?pid=1472

Video Added -Taro Hakase Calls Out For Help on BBC's Thursday Show

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/12564921

Taro Hakase and his wife Mayuko Hakase made an appearance on BBC calling out for everyone's understanding and support towards the recent disaster in Japan.

The piece he played is the main theme of the NHK morning drama series "TEPPAN" (composed and performed by Hakase-san himself).

葉加瀬太郎さんと葉加瀬万由子さんがＢＢＣのTHURSDAY SHOW に出演、東日本大震災への援助と協力を呼びかけました。
被災者のみなさんに向けて、ＮＨＫの連続テレビドラマ「てっぱん」のテーマを奏でられました。

Happy Birthday Pallet!

Thank you for everything...
Please stay happy and healthy always!

Taro Hakase Says DON'T GIVE UP!

You might even catch him LIVE on BBC!

Upcoming Events

☆　Date: Thursday 17 March, 5:00 pm
Venue: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Picadilly, London

☆　Don't Give Up! A Charity Concert for Japan with Taro Hakase and friends"

Date: Friday, 18th March, 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London

http://japanearthquakereliefconcert.doattend.com/

Message from the Berliner Philharmoniker to the Japanese people

Japanese violinist Daishin Kashimoto was recently appointed concert master of the orchestra.

Japan Solidarity Concert@ Tonhalle

Japanese conductor Yutaka Sado will lead the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

Date: March 26, 2011

http://www.tonhalle.de/Duesseldorfer_Symphoniker_Portrait_engl

http://www.nmz.de/kiz/nachrichten/duesseldorfer-symphoniker-geben-solidaritaetskonzert-fuer-japan

☆　The maestro conducting the annual "Beethoven's Ninth with a Cast of 10000"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lgkeZ0ndMA&feature=player_detailpage#t=46s

SHOW YOUR HEART FUND Launched by GACKT!

The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake which occurred on March11...
Damages of the disaster are spreading without end.
And starting now… they need our help.
We Japanese right now, must first of all help each other.
So I, we, decided to start by doing what we can do and have set up a fund.
Even if it begins from a small determination, with everyone’s power I am convinced that it would grow into something big.
And now, the circle of friends is growing steadily, and we are moving forward together.
All I can say is that I would like to ask for all of your help.
Things we cannot do alone can be accomplished if we work together.
Precisely because we are in such a critical situation, we need to have the courage to lend a helping hand.

SHOW YOUR HEART FUND

There are things we who are living happily should be doing.
We who have the power to take action can support those we care for.
So, let’s start now… by doing what we can!
SHOW YOUR HEART is accepting donations for the victims of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake.

http://static.hangame.co.jp/hangame/extra/showyourheart/index.html

Supporters

Bae Yong Joon (Actor)

Watching the news on the earthquake, all I can do is worry about the safety of the victims of the disaster.

I would like to support the extremely meaningful call by GACKT-san (with whom I had the opportunity to work with in the “Message! To Asia” charity event last December).

I am sure that all of you who are suffering from this disaster are facing a situation that is beyond our imagination, but we would be happy if our thoughts will reach you and help you in some way.

My prayers are with you so that you may live in peace as soon as possible.

SHOW YOUR HEART!!

Kim Hyun Joong (Singer)

Looking at the new of the recent earthquake, I am shocked and extremely worried.

While I was seriously thinking about what I could do to help, I heard about GACKT-san’s wonderful call and strongly wished to join him.

I believe that even though there’s only so much we can do as individuals, we can become a great power if we join hands to help the people who are suffering from this disaster.

SHOW YOUR HEART!!

Taro Hakase Charity Concert in Aid of Japan Earthquake Disaster@LONDON MITSUKOSHI

Taro Hakase will be holding a charity concert@ Sloane Square Cadogan Hall (London)
Details to be announced!

Power of Music! (video added Mar 15)

Maestros and Musicians at Work

This is Maestro Seikyo Kim and the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsing Bizet’s Carmen Overture and Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 for an outreach concert for elementary school students. (Oct.2010)

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9667875



Video streaming by Ustream

The maestro after a geneprobe (with their virtuoso concert master Yasunao Ishida in the back^^)

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8672377



Video streaming by Ustream

On March 12, the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra was scheduled to perform Mahler’s 6th Symphony. I had the privilege of sitting in on their rehearsal (it is open to anyone!) on the 9th in this very hall.

The maestro had just returned from Europe after a series of successful concerts with the Flanders Symphony Orchestra.




After his first rehearsal with Mahler's 6th, he expressed his satisfaction towards the Kanagawa Philharmonic for being well prepared^^

On the 12th (the day before the performance) I enjoyed listening to the rehearsal live through USTREAM and was excited to see that they were even better than when I heard them 2 days ago. Clearly, they were all set to give a great performance in Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall (very close to where the APEC meetings were held last year) the following day.

It was the two hours later, that the earthquake hit us....

While I was waiting in the dark for my family to come home, I was wondering if they were going to go on with the concert. Unfortunately, I had other plans so I couldn’t go any way, but I really wanted to know how things were.

Later, when we got our electricity back, I read the tweets by the maestro and orchestra staff.

Seikyokim: I haven’t received notice of whether we will be performing tomorrow or not. I’m sure the musicians and the people participating as extras are anxious too. I’m going to bed now believing that we will be on tomorrow. I should give my body and mind a rest.

Awhile later...

Seikyokim: It's no use. Can't sleep.

Kanagawaphil at 9:26 We apologize for the delayed announcement. Our subscription concert will be given as scheduled. As there is major disruption in transport, we hope that you will take all precautions on the way to the concert hall.

Kodaikooyaji (percussionist): Received notice from the orchestra admin. I am on the way to generalprobe. The present situation gives us all the more reason to have our concert. We are professional musicians. Just as there are people at the site of disaster working hard to repair the damage, we will give our all to help heal people’s hearts. 9:35

Retweeted by Seikyokim: Let’s do it! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu! (thank you)

tarohakaseHATS@Seikyokim: Believe in the power of music!

And after the concert…

Seikyokim: There are certain things only musicians can accomplish. I can only hope that I may be of some support for people’s hearts. I will do what I can. One at a time.

We just finished our Mahler No.6 subscription concert. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who came to the concert hall. Thank you very much. I am overwhelmed. I hope our thoughts will reach the people of northern Japan... thank you so much. It was a concert that will remain in my memory forever.

@Seikyokim: Today’s performance which began in a silent prayer and ended in a prayer... Sitting in the silence after the final note, I could not hold back my tears. While giving my prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims of the disaster, the performance gave me great comfort as well, at this time when I am so devastated by what we have been seeing. Thank you very much for a memorable performance. (tweeted by a Kanagawa Phil fan)

After the performance, all the musicians called out for contributions to support the victims of the disaster.

And a day before, on the very day of the earthquake, another maestro had given an extraordinary performance.

British conductor Daniel Harding with the New Japan Philharmonic.


The maestro after the performance:

Just played Mahler 5 for the 50 who made it... Hope the other 1750 are all ok. Wonderful atmosphere on strangest of days.
Would have played just for the 69 year old who walked 4 hours across Tokyo to make it to the concert! That's dedication to music!! 3.11 21:50

---------------------------------------------

Although I was not able to attend neither of these incredible concerts, I too feel energized and comforted by their efforts. Thank you so much!

P.S.
Renowned Japanese musician Taro Hakase will be giving a Charity Concert for Japan's Earthquake @ LONDON MITSUKOSHI



http://japanearthquakereliefconcert.doattend.com/

Thank you everyone! March 13 Sun Update

March 13, 2011 Sun

Once again thank you all for your kind and thoughtful messages!
Two days have passed and I can only say that I am thankful that my family is safe, but when I see and hear of the sheer magnitude of disaster, it breaks my heart. We still can’t get in touch with some BYJ family, and it is making us very anxious.

But as usual, wuri satovic gives us a wonderful remedy…
(from her ayurveda newsletter, translated with her permission.)

My mother’s hometown is a village on the Sanriku Ria Coast (deeply indented coastline) in Iwate Prefecture, and I cannot get in touch with my dear aunt and uncle. I wish I could fly to them with some warm food but that’s impossible just now.

The only thing we can do at this time is to pray.
Prayer should give us strength. We can pray in any way and in any language but here I would like to bring to you a beautiful Sanskrit mantra.

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha　 May all be happy.
Sarve Santu Niraamayaaha　 May all be free from disabilities.
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu　 May all look to the good of others
Maa Kaschit Dukhkha bhaakbhavet　 May none suffer from sorrow

すべての人が幸せでありますように
すべての人が健康でありますように
すべての人が他人の善行をみますように
すべての人が悲しみにあいませんように

------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 12, 2011 Sat

Thank you all very much for your warm messages!

Just to let you know my family is fine- yes pallet too!

I exchanged messages with BYJ family Cloud nine, tomato and kiyomi-san last night and they were OKAY too.

I can only hope that the effects of this disaster can be kept to the minimum, and that our BYJ family in the Tohoku area are safe.

I will let you know when I have more news.

Thank you, arigato, merci and kamsahamnida for your concern!!

love,
flowerbossa

P.S. And yes, wuri satovic is fine! Active as usual trying to help those around her!

Maestro Seikyo Kim@Rehearsal Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Mahler Symphony No.6
Final rehearsal before the concert!



Live TV : Ustream

Maestro Seikyo Kim@Rehearsal Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Mahler's Symphony No.6
Concert will be held on March 12 (Sat) at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.

Rehearsal scheduled to be broadcasted again on USTREAM tomorrow Mar 11 from 10:30 am Japan time .




Live Streaming by Ustream.TV

Before Spring Arrives..

R.Sakamoto Playing the Piano from Seoul 20110109 "REPLAY" with Korean Translation

Streaming live video by Ustream

Leave it to Cyndi♪

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/03/07/cyndi-lauper-entertains-airport-passengers-in-argentina/

http://rocketnews24.com/?p=78711

Can't Get Enough!

Again,bringing you the English rendition by the great diva Lena Park, "The Gold Within"

That Fool♪

One of the best dramas of all time!
Hwang Jung Min will make you laugh,cry and restore your faith in humanity...
A modern Chaplin...





And the beautiful song (composed by Japanese composer Ryoki Matsumoto) sung by Lena Park adds the perfect spark to the drama!

Another wonderful surprise:
Japanese singer/composer Ayaka Hirahara participated too, by singing the Korean rendition of her song 「感謝　감사」(Gratitude). 　






Original Title:cEnglish: While I Was Looking(That Fool)/aka Accidental Couple
Japanese: アクシデンタル・カップル

UPLIFTING♪

My favorite girl!
The very talented IU~!
Love her voice!