Standing sill in Tengu Geta

[IonFortuna]

Originally Posted by Tsuruko

I am glad I could share a few tidbits of knowledge, IonFortuna.

There is so much to learn about Japan, especially cultural and traditional. I am still learning quite a bit myself. Shamisen is my current endeavor, it is a very tricky instrument to play, but sounds so beautiful. I am currently practicing, "Sakura, Sakura."

I can play that on a Guitar!!!

[Tsuruko]

It's a pretty song, isn't it?

As soon as I can get it down pat, I plan on learning, "Gion Kouta," or, the Ballad of Gion. Gion is the famous Geisha district of Japan. : )

[IonFortuna]

Originally Posted by Tsuruko

It's a pretty song, isn't it?

As soon as I can get it down pat, I plan on learning, "Gion Kouta," or, the Ballad of Gion. Gion is the famous Geisha district of Japan. : )

Do you have the sheet music for it? I can read sheet music easily!!!

[Tsuruko]

Originally Posted by IonFortuna

Do you have the sheet music for it? I can read sheet music easily!!!

No, I'm afraid I don't have sheet music. I read sheet music too, but I find learning Shamisen is a thing best learned by ear, which is how I have learned "Sakura, Sakura." I will most likely be learning, "Gion Kouta," the same way.

[IonFortuna]

Oh, I see. I don't know how to learn by ear yet...

[Tsuruko]

Originally Posted by IonFortuna

Oh, I see. I don't know how to learn by ear yet...

It's a slow process that takes years to learn. I was actually continually trained and drilled to learn music by ear. Most of the time I had to directly notate from ear without even ever having an instrument at which to compare.

In some ways I am very glad to have learned such a skill, a skill that still needs a lot of polishing, yet at the same time, it took so much hard work and studying. Sometimes I would practice three hours a night. . .

[IonFortuna]

Wow, amazing!!

[merveTurkey]

hmmm....

[merveTurkey]

hmmm....

[TalnSG]

There is an interesting video on Japaensegeta.com of walking and standing in the Ippon ba. I am sure I could walk in them, but knowing my periodic gracefulness I would probably get so comfortable I would forget their limitations and walk to fast or take to long a stride and end up on the floor or with an ankle damaged (again).

I love my standard ones, but Amercians don't seem to care for the noise they make, so I am considering getting a few pair of komachi geta with the synthetic sole plates. I know they are designed for bette traction, but I am thinking they will muffle my steps a little bit.

Anyone know of a source for tabi socks that go up over the calf like knee-highs?