I like heart-shaped pendant tops. The bridges of stringed instruments such as violins have a heart in the center of the wood. The bottom one is designed with a bridge. (Michiko)
A long time ago, my late mother-in-law bought this woodblock at the request of an apprentice of an artist in Kyoto she was acquainted with, because this person wanted to make some pocket money. Now it’s with me. I thought it would look cool to put a sherbet plate on it. (Michiko)
These are the violin version and the piano version of “Partita No.2 for solo violin” by J.S.Bach. Part of the learning life under the roof that I want to continue for the rest of my life. (Michiko)
I’ve been making sherbet for the past month and can’t stop making it since then. I just made a new recipe, made with organic brown rice amazake and blueberries. It’s delicious! I’m coming up with new ideas for grave decorations one after another. Part of the fun daily life. (Michiko)
It was humid and rainy, but the rain stopped just before noon. Today, at first, I had a ginger grilled pork for lunch at Miyanaga-san’s cafe to get some energy, and then headed out to visit the grave. On the way, I found beautiful headbands with Indian embroidered ribbons and bought two. At the grave, I decorated the grave with ocean scene. Swim in the beautiful ocean of heaven! (Michiko)
These are my violin bows. I’ve been using these two for about 50 years. They were made over 100 years ago. Apart from famous performers who own particularly expensive instruments, people who play or teach string instruments don’t openly talk about the brand or price of their instruments. And they almost never talk about bows in general conversation. But everyone uses fairly expensive bows. I hear that people who love bows own several of them. I take good care of the ones I own and use them for a long time. (Michiko)
I have osteoarthritis of the hip, so I go to an orthopedic clinic once a week for rehabilitation. I also do exercises at home by myself under the guidance of my physical therapist. I have to be careful not to move too much or overload myself, but I do some gentle self-training in a cool room while listening to music. (Photo by Michiko:Tangled tree in Honolulu)
[This is a very special gift that you can never see. The reason it’s so special is it’s just for you from me. Whenever you are lonely or even feeling blue, you only have to hold this gift and know I’m thinking of you. You never can unwrap it. Please leave the ribbon tied. Just hold it close to your heart. It’s filled with love inside. Jena Dec. 1988]
写真は、ジーナがハワイに来た時(右)と、カンザスのジーナの家に行った時(左)。This little box is a special gift from Jena. Two photos from about 35 years ago. One was when Jena came to Hawaii, and the other was when I went to Jena’s house in Kansas. I still haven’t opened this box. (July 2024, Michiko)
It’s hot outside. I want to see the blue summer sea but I don’t want to swim. So I wrote violin waves and swam in Japanese calligraphy in a cool room. (Michiko)