Greeting from Tsuruga Wakasanojo

(from the printed program, November 12, 2023, Natori Ohirome Gala Shinnai Concert)

After a long summer, the arrival of a mild autumn has brought a sense of calmness to our hearts. Yesterday, the Tori-no-ichi was held. This late autumn market has been a tradition in Tokyo for hundreds of years. The autumn season is brief. Soon everyone will become busy preparing for winter.
Today, for the first time in a long time, we are holding a concert to introduce shinnai students whose skill has earned them a shinnai name (natori). This is a joyous event. The new natori, through their performances, will demonstrate their achievement in shinnai.
After three years or more of rigorous study of shinnai works, these seven students were formally designated as natori at a ceremony held at a shrine where, in front of a hanging scroll written by Tsuruga Wakasanojo I, the founder of shinnai, they became members of the Tsuruga School of shinnai.
There is an old Chinese saying, “teaching is learning”. Teaching others and learning from a teacher are complementary, and you will only improve your studies if you experience both. That describes shinnai okeiko (study) exactly. Both the teacher and the student work together, one on one, in rigorous daily practice, and improve and progress together. They find joy in the midst of this struggle, and become more proficient day by day. Learning and reviewing what you have learned produce powerful results.
In today’s concert, both the new natori and shinnai natori who have been studying shinnai for many years will demonstrate their skill and dedication to this genre.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the supporting performers and others who have made it possible to hold this event.
On this beautiful autumn day, please enjoy our concert.
Thank you very much for coming to today’s performance.