Emily in Thought
And Tokyo. Sharing random thoughts and stalling for time before posting more about Tawoo Dojo
I’m still working on the “So you want to come to Tawoo dojo” substack, so in the interim, here’s a ranting post in 10 parts! I used to do this via private email, so it feels a little vulnerable.
Before we get into it, here are a few tips on how to approach my substack.
1. You can read all of the previous posts on my actual substack website.
2. I will start every post with the following Disclaimers:
*I am a native English speaker purely speaking about my own experiences. I’m excited that this substack has made international reach, but sometimes I use strange words and phrases. If you are reading this through AI translation, some ideas, words, and nuances may not be correct in your language. Please ask if you have any questions.*
*If you click on the photos directly on the substack website, you can see full photos.
You can practice clicking on the photos here via the substack website:
K, cool. Here are 10 non-related yet always related taiko thoughts I’ve had this month.
1. You need one of two things to survive: Money or Community.
I had enough money to live the "poor American college lifestyle" for 1 year, but now I'm 16 months out. I’ve only made it this long because of my community consisting of family, friends, Taiko people, and specifically, Kaoly san and the amazing Tawoo dojo-sei.
It's hard not to feel guilty about it, and sometimes I worry about whether I'll be able to pay it forward in the future. But in the words of my dear Tawoo friend Jacquie: "Whether you realize it or not, you'll end up paying it back." I hope she’s right.
2. I’ve reached a point where I’m lousy at Japanese, but also pretty bad at English!
I speak Japanese like I’m 2 years old, but I can hold a short conversation now! However, I’ve gotten slower at English, and my sarcasm has diminished. Because of that, I feel like I’m a lot kinder and more careful with my words in both languages.
Again, to any Nikkei/ Japanese Americans who is interested in coming here for an extended stay, make sure to have some time with yourself on the topic of identity. This experience could’ve really messed with my head if it wasn’t for a good ol undergraduate ethnic identity crisis.
3. Salt.
If you want to bring omiyage (gift) for a Japanese person, bring a small thing of nice, local salt. Don’t have salt? Bring something local.
4. Americans can't take a joke.
This is a teaching from a French friend and a shared house Malaysian mate. Social media posts, YouTube vids, podcasts, we talk about serious and non-serious things in the overly dramatic ways. Even neutral things sometimes have a tone of offense and combativeness. Example: the ability to talk about similar and opposing American political views without blood boiling interruptions. At least now, I can talk about it with dread and doom, but my blood is tempered!
After living in a country with earthquakes and natural disasters that feel like they’re around the corner, you begin to realize it’s okay to laugh at yourself and at others in a non malicious manner. We might as well smile while we can.
5. Japan answers in grey but sometimes expects you to know the actual black and white answer if you’re not obviously a tourist. Sometimes, however, the black and white is kept hidden.
Many Japanese people I know say they aren't good at being able to read the room and do the right thing without being told what to do, but I think they're just saying that to make me feel better every time I make a cultural faux pas. Sigh.
6. I easily do something related to my visa everyday
and it's never been forced. I sincerely enjoy doing anything taiko related and would probably feel like something is lacking if I didn't. At-home practice or research brings me joy and I wish I had more time to do it. Also…I’m realizing everything is related to taiko so maybe this doesn’t look like what you would think.
7. Gocoo is great, but also Tawoo Dojo is a pretty dope performing taiko group in its own right.
I mean, look at them! Granted, some of these videos have Gocoo in it too!
8. Not everyone eats ozoni (New Year’s day soup with mochi in it) on New Year’s in Japan, but it is fun.
It’s just tradition. The shape of the mochi, the ingredients, and the broth are dependent on the region of Japan. My grandpa’s family is from Hiroshima, so my family’s ozoni consists of oysters, typical dashi (bonito and seaweed broth) and circlular mochi. However this year, I made a Tokyo style one (thanks Eriko!) with lots of vegetables, chicken broth, and rectanglular mochi.
9. I won’t feel complete until I go to one of my family’s hometowns and experience their local music and dance.
Is this a silly thought?
10. "Real Japan" is not metropolis Tokyo.
If you’re visiting, please go to the countryside if you can! Even the Tokyo countryside!
Let’s stay on this rant for a bit. I recently went hiking with a friend, and found myself stopping to look at birds, smell the leaves, and questioning the types of trees that were around us. Because of my experience with Eriko, traveling with Gocoo, and other experiences like Sado, Hachijo, and sporadic solo trips to the ocean, it’s hard to separate taiko from nature. I remember hearing this from Kodo performers, but couldn’t quite understand while living in the flat lands and city of Chicago. I wonder if that will change for me after being here. Or, does Japan just do a better job at nature-ing?!?! I mean, the Japanese mountain ranges are actually various tones of blue, just like in the paintings. Or, maybe Japan does a better job at preserving and respecting nature than some parts of America. Up for debate!
Regardless, I’ve been excited to learn about the indigenous trees and landscapes of the Midwest. Although there are some taiko related things that have to come from Japan (IMO), I’m interested to see what can be locally sourced to represent taiko sounds of the region. If you have any thoughts on this, speak your mind!
Anyhoobs, I have a dream to make my own bachi from a raw tree.
Oh, and food!
Here’s a lousy photo of a delicious black currant birthday cake from Tawoo!
And a random bonus, in my attempt to learn about Ainu music, I stumbled upon Otyken, a modern indigenous Siberian music group that makes rave music. According to Wikipedia, they also have Ainu influence. Check it out:
Please stay tuned for more to come in February, and as my students say, that’s it!
Always love reading your posts ❤️