BYJ Collection Vol.1

From Sendai to N.Y. Chorus Concert@ Carnegie Hall

TONIGHT - Sirius-san Goes on Stage @ Carnegie Hall!

Wuri sirius is all ready for the big night!

During the past two months, she has been busy going back and forth between her home in Kanagawa Prefecture and Sendai city in Miyagi, where she was active as a volunteer working to restore her hometown.

This morning I got this message from her:

"Today, we had a joint rehearsal with the people and children of N.Y. at the Nippon Club in Midtown. Musically, I think we've done a really good job. Most of the tickets have already been sold, but I can arrange to get some if you send me a message by noon.

Tomorrow, I will sing for the people of New York who are giving their warm support to the devastated areas, and also for my friends around the world with my heartfelt gratitude."

Sirius-san,

Good luck and fighting^^

Love,
flowerbossa

☆　Article in the JAPAN TIMES, May 8 2011

Sendai Chorus to Sing at N.Y.'s Carnegie Hall





People with Dreams

"Perhaps the times of our most wretched suffering, and every moment after in which we work to heal ourselves, can be called the times which we are dreaming. When we train ourselves constantly and dream of the future we want, then that is the moment we most intensely recognize our own existence. A person without dreams is a person who is already dead. Anyone who says they do not need dreams or do not dream at all is merely in the grip of a nightmare. So I want to dream the best dreams possible. King Sejong’s dream was for the people to be happy, and that dream became the cornerstone for the invention of hangeul."　


From: Bae Yong Joon’s “A Journey in Search of Korea’s Beauty”(Translated by Sora Kim-Russell)


夢見る人々

「・・・残酷なまでに苦しかった時間、そしてその後にそれを癒していく時間は、もしかしたら夢見る時間だと呼べるのかもしれない。絶えず自身を磨き、自身の望む明日を夢見る瞬間が、自身の存在を最も強烈に認識する時間なのだろう。夢を見ることができない人はすでに死んだ人だ。夢なんて必要ないとか、夢はないと言っている人もまた、ただ悪夢を見ているだけなのだ。だから私はできればいい夢を見たい。世宗大王の夢は民の幸福だったろうし、民の幸福のために彼が見た夢が、私たちが享受しているこの“ハングル”を創製する礎となったのだろう。」

―　ペ・ヨンジュン　「韓国の美をたどる旅」より
（翻訳：　根本理恵）

Kamsahamnida Kim In Moon-ssi ...

Actor Kim In Moon 김인문 , Apr. 13, 1939~Apr.25, 2011




Fondly remembered by BYJ kajok as Chan Woo and Dong Hyuk's aboji.




Kamsahamnida, abonim.

May your soul rest in peace...

Bobby McFerrin " Don't Worry Be Happy"

Sting " WHEN WE DANCE "

Featuring one of my favorite cellists, Jacques Morelenbaum.

A Performance of "Rain, I Will Not Be Defeated"

A beautiful performance of Kenji Miyazawa's poem
"Rain, I Will Not Be Defeated"
―　雨ニモマケズ　宮沢賢治　―

as performed by MLS and educational theater groups around the world in effort to raise money for the Tohoku, Japan relief

ＭＬＳと世界の教育劇団による東日本大震災復興応援プロジェクト


Wuri kajok cloud nine made her youtube debut in this video!

Chukka hamnida!

From CREA Magazine 2006

Japanese New Yorkers and Moms United to Support Japan

Penny Harvest Run For Change! April 30, 2011



BYJ and VANNESS with Dominique Leguillier, Executive Director of Children Without Borders
HOHOEMI PROJECT Event @ Tokyo Dome Dec. 2010

"Thank You" is not necessary; U.S. forces honored to help reopen Sendai

COMMENTARY - "Thank You" is not necessary; U.S. forces honored to help reopen Sendai

NHK World News on the Reopening of Sendai International Airport

Yong Joon-ssi used this airport too!
See him in the beautiful video created by onpu in March 2009

courtesy of onpu's blog "Egao de Aetara (If we can meet with a smile)"
You can find the link to her blog on the right column)

The Power of Music!

Maestro Seikyo Kim strikes the hammer during the rehearsal of Mahler's Symphony No. 6 "Tragic"
(March,2011@ Kanagawa Art Hall)

photo courtesy of Kanagawaphil on ustream

The Spirit of the Noh Performers

A reader's contribution article in the Asahi Shimbun March 18, 2011 edition

On March 11, the day of the great earthquake, I was at the Nohgakudo (Noh theater) in Suidobashi,Tokyo. Because it was after the earthquake, the two leading performers came out to announce, "today's performance will either be cancelled or postponed". All the trains and subways had stopped. To us who had no way of getting home, the people at the theater suggested that we wait at the theater, and they even offered us the bento (boxed meals)of staffs who were not able to make it to the work place.

We were not able to get through to our families -text messages, cell phones, public phones were all unaccessible. When it was announced that JR (Japan Railways) was not going to move that day, the people at the theater started to look for places we could stay for the evening. There were five of us who had remained including an elderly person who was born in the Taisho era (1912-1926).

As it turned out, all the hotels were full, and so they said that they would take us to a performer’s home so we can spend the night there. Being general guests, we were hesitant, but because they insisted that they wanted to do what they could for people who had come to the theater, we decided to accept their kindness.

The traffic jam was very bad. The staffs were very concerned about the elderly guests, and after they obtained information that the subways had begun to move, they confirmed this and led us to the station. By subway, we first arrived at the Nohgakudo in Aoyama. Because it would take even more time to get to the performer’s home, they offered to put us up for the night in the warm room at the theater.

There is a heartwarming Noh piece called “Hachinoki”. Through the way the Noh performers worked together to help us, and we were able to experience something very much like what is depicted in the piece. I have come to realize that the spirit of the Noh performers who support the World Cultural Heritage, and the development of the long history of Japanese culture will prevail. Right now, I can only hope that a life of peace will return to the people at the disaster-stricken areas as soon as possible.




Noh-actor Mr. Minoru Shibata in his Official Blog, gives us some background information on the day’s events:

(translated by flowerbossa with the author's permission)

On March 11, the day of the great earthquake, our group “Tessenkai” was scheduled to hold our March regular performance. Although public transportation had stopped completely, there were about 20 guests who had arrived at the Hohsho Nohgakudo. Unfortunately, this day’s performance was cancelled.

I personally was not able to get to the theater, so I do not know the details of the event. However, I heard later that the theater performers and staffs had thought that as long as there were guests there to see the performance, they should do what they could. Since all of the Miyake family (performers of the Kyogen) were present, they Ukon Miyake-san had suggested to show their Kyogen piece.

Also, the Noh program for the day was “Sakuragawa” and “Sesshoseki”. Because Kuroemon　Katayama-san and Hisa Uzawa-san were there, there was also talk of performing the Shimai (dance) of the two pieces, however in the end they decided to cancel everything.

The staffs’ bento were passed out as supper, and it was decided that the five guests who were not able to get home will stay at Uzawa-san’s home.

They first set out for Tessenkai at Aoyama, but it took them 6 hours for the distance of 5 km. Since no one could guess just when they could reach Uzawa-san’s home, they ended up spending the night on the stage of Tessenkai.

There was an article in the Asahi Shimbun by one of the guests who had experienced this event, thanking the performers for their kindness.

I would like to applaud my fellow performers and staffs for having served our guests with sincerity.
I believe such consideration and sincere thoughts for our guests help us to increase our audience.
I would like to keep this event in my heart always, as a heartwarming episode.

Almost all the Noh performances for March have been cancelled.

I do not know what the future will bring, but when we do resume with our performances, I can only pray that many guests will come back to see us as just as before.

For now, patience, patience!






Poster of Upcoming Noh Performance
AOBA NO KAI
May 4, 2011 14:00 at Tessen-kai Nohgaku Kensyujyo
Noh "SHUNKAN" KANZE School

phone 03-3401-2285

第１１回　青葉乃会　能と素浄瑠璃　－能と語りを探る―
２０１１年５月４日　（水・祝）　１４時開演
銕仙会能楽研修所

能　「俊寛」



Synopsis of "Hachinoki": http://www.noh-kyogen.com/story/english/Hachinoki.pdf

For information on Noh in English: http://www.the-noh.com/index.html

Children's voices soothe Iwate survivors | The Japan Times Online

(photo: The Japan Times April 22,2011 edition)

Children's voices soothe Iwate survivors | The Japan Times Online

Kesennuma 's Junior High School Graduates Move Forward...

On Sirius and B.S.J.

About wuri sister sirius...



Satovic had once described her as someone "with a mysterious power...she can walk the streets of Seoul with the same ease of walking around Tokyo, and though she's a top businesswoman who could deal with billions of yen,she's also a girl with pure eyes, a lover of astronomy and science fiction. She was the liason person of BSJ, undertaking many negotiations with outside parties, at the same time taking on tedious tasks as insurance paperwork so BSJ staff can move about freely and "safely".

Siriusさんは、ソウルも東京も全く同じように歩き回ることが出来て、何億も動かす営業の手腕がありながら、宇宙とSFをこよなく愛する純粋な天文少女の瞳をあわせ持つ、とっても不思議なパワーの持ち主でした。渉外担当として、初対面の人や大人の付き合いが全く苦手な私に代わって、交渉事を一気にスムーズにこなしてくださって、いつもメンバーが動きやすいように、保険の事務なども一手に引き受けてくださいました。
(ブロコリ B.S.J. サイトより　satovic)

Taking this opportunity, I would like to look back on some of the major activities of B.S.J. and also look at the great creations by wuri talented kajok!












(please watch on youtube)

and... LAST but not LEAST...




Yon-sama Gekijo by Satovic
(click to read last chapter)




Please support!

Japan-US Chorus Charity Concert for Sendai @ Carnegie Hall May 20

(Please see previous article for details)

BYJ sister "sirius" Calls For Support - Charity Concert for Sendai

Sirius-san is a long time BYJ kajok who now lives in the Tokyo area, but is originally from Sendai. She was an active committee member of B.S.J. (a fan site led by satovic), and had supported BYJ and the LSH scholarship activities over the years.

This past disaster had a big impact on her life…

I would like to share her message:


Dear flowerbossa,

Thank you for your message of sympathy.
Not only Japanese sisters like satovic, but many friends from Korea and around world have sent me messages of encouragement, and as always I feel so grateful for the kindness of BSJ chingus.

With this recent earthquake, both my husband’s and my own immediate family have survived, but many of my relatives and friends have had their homes washed away and many even lost their lives.

Still, when I call them or e-mail them, they respond with a tough attitude.
I cannot help but feel respect for how they accept the present situation and how they are bravely setting out to restore the devastated land.
But in their hearts, they hold deep sorrow and anxiety.

I too intend to be by their side and do what I can until we can resurrect our city.

The charity concert I was telling you about earlier was something which was planned as the "Japan-US Chorus Festival" and we had been preparing for it from a year ago. But many of the participants live in Sendai and have become victims of the latest disaster. It seemed that we would have to cancel the event, but because many of the people involved strongly wanted to go on with it, we decided to hold it as a charity concert.

This is the official site:

Japan-US Chorus Charity Concert for Sendai at Carnegie

Featuring the "Hagi" Chorus, Sendai, Japan

I will also be participating in the chorus.

Experiencing this unprecedented disaster, I feel that we are being tested in many ways.

I hope many people in the New York area will be informed about our charity concert, and we would be most grateful if they would come to hear us sing.

Best wishes,
sirius


Japan-US Chorus Charity Concert for Sendai at Carnegie

East Meets West in Choral Harmony

May 20 2011 (Fri) 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM (Doors open 7:30 PM)
Admission: Free (ticket required), Donation suggested

Participating Artists:

☆　The HAGI Choir (from Sendai)

☆　The Alexandria Harmonizers



☆　The Men's Glee Club of New York



☆　The Men's Glee Club of Tokyo & Kansai

☆　The White Pine Glee Club (Detroit)

MC : Kaoriko Kuget (Host of "FCI Morning Eye")

日本語サイト

みちのく震災支援
日米合唱チャリティーコンサートat カーネギー

From the OLD & NEW Catalogue

Kim Hyun Jung Returns! Playful Kiss Charity Event

Playful Kiss Premium Talkshow & Live in Osaka

May 3 (Tuesday, public holiday)@ Grand Cube Osaka

Matinee Show: Doors open 1PM
Night Show: Doors open 5:30PM
Duration: 2 hours
Ticket price: 9,800 yen

Cast: Kim Hyun Joong, Jung Somin

Jane Birkin in Tokyo "Together for Japan" April 6, 2011

Video streaming by Ustream



Video streaming by Ustream



Video streaming by Ustream

Jane Birkin Charity Concert "Together for Japan"　
April 6(Wed), 2011 ＠Shibuya Club Quattro

French artist Jane Birkin visited Japan and held a free charity concert sending her support with Japanese artists to disaster-affected people.
Organised by Parco Co.,Ltd. and L'institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo

ジェーン・バーキン震災復興支援チャリティーコンサート「Together for Japan」
4/6(水) 渋谷クラブクアトロ
フランスの女優、シンガーのジェーン・バーキンが震災被災者の為に緊急来日、4月6日(水)渋谷クラブクアトロにて趣旨に賛同する日本人アーティストとともに無料チャリティコンサートを開催。
会場内に募金箱を設置し、集まった義援金は「世界の医療団(Médecins du Monde)」を通じて全額寄付された。
主催:パルコ　共催:東京日仏学院　

Prof. Donald L. Keene Claims He is Married to Japan

Donald L. Keene, an American expert on Japanese literature and Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, will apply for Japanese nationality and live permanently in Japan.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/15_25.html

Don't ever underestimate the power of music

「音楽の力を決して甘く見てはいけない。」
Acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta has arrived in Japan to conduct a charity concert benefitting the survivors of the March 11th disaster.

Mehta arrived in Tokyo from Russia on Friday. He held a rehearsal with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, which will perform Beethoven's Symphony Number 9 in Tokyo on Sunday. All proceeds will go to the disaster-hit areas.

Before the rehearsal, Mehta told orchestra members that he hopes for Japan's recovery, and that his thoughts are with the people.

"All the world is with you and with your country.

Everybody is crying with you.

I want to do part of something to lift the spirit of people.

Don't ever underestimate the power of music."

- from NHK online
(video clip in English : http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/09_06.html)

☆　This concert which will be aired on NHK on April 17.

2011年 4月17日 (日)
教育テレビ　午後9時00分 ～ 9時57分

ズービン・メータ　希望の響き

～ 東日本大震災 チャリティーコンサート ～

「世界中が日本の皆さんの勇気、不屈の精神に心から敬意を表しています。 惨劇の中、自己統制を保ち、前進しようとしているその姿に感動を覚えています。 今以上に強い日本になることを世界中が願っています。日本は世界の模範となるでしょう。」
（ズービン・メータ）

急遽開催が決まった東日本大震災チャリティーコンサートから、ベートーベンの交響曲第9番をお送りします。 指揮はズービン・メータさん。3月11日、フィレンツェ歌劇場の日本公演のために来日していたメータさんは、 日本で、震災の惨状を目の当たりにしたのです。
これまでメータさんはインド西部地震など危機的な状況下で指揮台に立ち、人々を勇気づけてきました。 「音楽家にはそういったことをする義務がある。」 今回のコンサートは、メータさんの強い意志によって実現したということができるでしょう。 インタビューと演奏を通して、「困難な状況下でも、音楽は力を発揮できる」というメータさんのメッセージをお届けします。

組曲第3番から アリア 　 ( バッハ作曲 )
交響曲 第9番 ニ短調 作品125 「合唱つき」 から 　 ( ベートーベン作曲 )
ソプラノ ： 並河 寿美
メゾ・ソプラノ ： 藤村 実穂子
テノール ： 福井 　敬
バス ： アッティラ・ユン
合唱 ： 東京オペラシンガーズ
管弦楽 ： ＮＨＫ交響楽団
指　揮 ： ズービン・メータ

Bach: Suite No.3, "Aria"

Beethoven's Symphony No.9

Soprano: Hisami Namikawa
Mezzo Soprano: Mihoko Fujimura
Tenor: Kei Fukui
Bass: Attila Jun

Chorus: Tokyo Opera Singers
NHK Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Zubin Mehta


[ 収録： 2011年4月10日, 東京文化会館 ]

Coming to Japan from Korea!

☆　Musical 宮　"Goong" Starring Kim Kyu Jong (SS501)
@Kyoto Shijo Minamiza June 11 to July 1, 2011





(photos 2, 3 from 宮official site)



☆John-Hoon　May 4,2011 @ Saitama Super Arena

Together... We Look Up...(updated)

With Tommy Lee Jones





「上を向いて歩こう」　Sukiyaki Song
「見上げてごらん夜の星を」　Look Up at the Stars

Aigo! Bobby Kim Injured!

Praying for your speedy recovery from the bottom of my heart ...

Bobby Kim injures his spine and thorax after falling 4 meters

April 12, 2011

Bobby Kim is in the hospital recovering from a dangerous 4 meter fall that resulted in an injury on his spine and thorax.

The singer reportedly fell down the stairs while returning from the second floor bathroom of a bar on April 4th. He was directly transported to a hospital.

On April 8th, he completed his physical examinations and his doctor said, “His 5th and 7th vertebrae have been broken, as well as his ribs. He is expressing deep pain in his thorax. While his 5th vertebrae has been pressed down, about 2 millimeters of bone has been broken, thus requiring another examination.”

He added, “The 5th vertebrae is especially important. Even if it does not seem to be injured, Bobby Kim cannot return to his normal activities for at least 2 months. In the worst case scenario, he could be paralyzed waist down if the bone fragment touches his spinal cord.”

Bobby Kim’s agency stated, “We may have to cancel’s Bobby Kim’s schedule for 2 months according to the advice of the doctor. We are going to do whatever it takes for Bobby Kim to recover fully.”

The singer put a halt on all of his activities, including his national concert tour which he successfully started last month.

Source: Newsen via Nate

Bobby with IU

LIVE from N.Y. - Concert for Japan Ryuichi Sakamoto and many others

Live video chat by Ustream



Concert for Japan
合計視聴数: 46,527

100% of proceeds from this event will go to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Please go to http://www.japansociety.org/earthquake to donate.

Japan Society presents a 12-hour concert benefiting organizations that directly help people affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan. With dozens of music acts and performances throughout the day, confirmed performers for the GALA BLOCKS, organized by John Zorn, include Philip Glass & Hal Willner; Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Zorn; Ryuichi Sakamoto; and Bill Laswell with gigi band. In addition to the music, CONCERT FOR JAPAN offers special activities for all ages, from making origami cranes and washi lanterns for good wishes to unlimited access to Bye Bye Kitty!!!.


CONCERT SCHEDULE
11 AM–12:30 PM OPEN CONCERT
New York Suwa Taiko Association led by Hiro Kurashima, Cocolo Japanese Gospel Choir plus more to be announced!

1–2:30 PM GALA BLOCK
(GALA BLOCK ticket required)
SOLD OUT
Philip Glass, & Hal Willner
Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson & John Zorn

2:45–5:30 PM OPEN CONCERT
Performance order TBD
Masayo Ishigure (koto), Mutsumi and Masumi Takamizu (ji-uta sankyoku), James Nyoraku Schlefer (shakuhachi), Sadahiro Kakitani (ryuteki - gagaku flute), Taikoza (taiko), Yumi Kurosawa (koto), Taka Kigawa (piano) (Organized by James Nyoraku Schlefer) plus more to be announced!

6–7:30 PM GALA BLOCK
(GALA BLOCK ticket required)
SOLD OUT
Ryuichi Sakamoto with Special Guests
Bill Laswell with gigi band

8–11 PM OPEN CONCERT
(seating is first come, first served)
Performance order TBD
Hard Nips, Echostream, The Suzan, Me & Mars, DJ Aki (Organized by Hayden Brereton, Superglorious)
Plus Salmé from Tokyo!


http://www.japansociety.org/
http://www.facebook.com/japansociety
http://www.youtube.com/japansocietynyc
http://twitter.com/japansociety

To the People of Hong Kong - Arigato, 謝謝!

Song created from the poem "Ame ni mo makezu" by Kenji Miyazawa
(a famous Japanese poet from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture)


Be not Defeated by the Rain
by Kenji Miyazawa
English Translation by David Sulz

Be not defeated by the rain,
Nor let the wind prove your better.
Succumb not to the snows of winter.
Nor be bested by the heat of summer.
Be strong in body.
Unfettered by desire.
Not enticed to anger.
Cultivate a quiet joy.
Count yourself last in everything. Put others before you.
Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear.
A thatch-roof house, in a meadow, nestled in a pine grove's shade.
A handful of rice, some miso, and a few vegetables to suffice for the day.
If, to the East, a child lies sick: Go forth and nurse him to health.
If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted: Go forth, and relieve her of burden.
If, to the South, a man lies dying: Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear.
If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues:
Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.
In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy.
In summers cold, walk in concern and empathy.
Stand aloof of the unknowing masses:
Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a "Great Man".
This is my goal, the person I strive to become.

Background to Ame ni mo makezu

After Miyazawa Kenji's death, a single, black notebook was found in a pocket in the lid of his favourite trunk. This is the famous "Ame ni mo makezu" notebook. The poem is written in midst of his repetitious copying of "namu myoho renge kyo"(*) which shows his earnest nature and his reflections on letting go of the desire for pleasure.

The 11-3 at the beginning of the poem refers to the date, November 3rd, Showa 6 (1931).
At that time, Kenji was lying sick in bed but his handwriting is not what one would expect from a sick person; it is big, bold, and there are nine pages written on both the back and front.

When this "Ame ni mo makezu" was written, we can assume that Kenji probably had a hunch that he was going to die. With such thoughts lingering in his mind, his earnest wish in the last line - "the person I strive to become" - can only strike at our hearts with a deep resonance.
In his later years, he formed the "Rasu Farmers' Association" in order to live in closer harmony with the agriculturists he so admired. In Showa 11 (1936) a stone monument was erected with the opening line - "In the shade of pine-tree grove in the middle of a field …" Even now, many people visit this site.
(The Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Society Foundation)

(Information from the site "The World of Kenji Miyazawa")

Japanese actor Ken Watanabe's recitation of the original poem:

~ KoKoRo ~ Argerich Takes it to Heart

(photo courtesy of Yasai-san's blog)

Argerich supports Japan's Baby Network!






Argerich plays Schumann's "Kinderszenen (Children's Corner")