If you detect some resemblance you are not mistaken. One of the fun exhibits was a system to scan your face and then project it onto a terra-cotta warrior model.
This is Hannah-papa and Hanna-mama together. Isn't that romantic!
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Lookalike (8)
Hannah Papa and Terry Cotta the warrior are surely related.
Hannah Papa Terry Cotta
This is Hannah-papa and Hanna-mama together. Isn't that romantic!
This is Hannah-papa and Hanna-mama together. Isn't that romantic!
Eternal Realm of China's First Emperor
Granddad's top priority for his return to Hong Kong was to visit the block-buster exhibition of artifacts from the tomb of China's first emperor at the Hong Kong Museum of History. It was booked-out when they visited last time, so this time we made sure to visit first thing on a weekday morning.
This was an absolutely fantastic exhibition, showing artifacts from the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor who united China around 200 BC. This tomb is now famous for the terra-cotta army, which was just one part of a funeral complex that took 700,000 workers to create.
The exhibition was stunning with many amazing and historically significant artifacts, intelligently and wittily presented with good use of multimedia. No wonder more than 300,000 people have visited this exhibition in Hong Kong so far.
Video: terra-cotta warrior welcoming visitors
Video: terra-cotta warriors attacking Japanese visitors
One highlight was the chance to see terra-cotta warriors up close.
Cavalryman with horse.
An archer with some of his original paint still intact. This gives some idea how life-like they would originally have appeared.
A musician
Video: bronze chariot
Crossbow in its holder on the chariot.
This was a surprise: not only were tehe Chinese using cross-bows as early as 200BC, but the Qin were mass-producing them with inter-changable parts. This is a cross-bow trigger mechanism.
At the end of the exhibition was a neat display of how the terra-cotta warriors had been made. Appropriately enough in the form of two terra-cotta dioramas.
The bodies were mass-produced to a few standard types -infantry, cavalry, officers etc.
The heads were sculpted separately presumably in the likeness of individual soldiers since no two are the same.
After the figures were fired, they were painted
Video: production of terra-cotta horse
This was an absolutely fantastic exhibition, showing artifacts from the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor who united China around 200 BC. This tomb is now famous for the terra-cotta army, which was just one part of a funeral complex that took 700,000 workers to create.
The exhibition was stunning with many amazing and historically significant artifacts, intelligently and wittily presented with good use of multimedia. No wonder more than 300,000 people have visited this exhibition in Hong Kong so far.
Video: terra-cotta warrior welcoming visitors
One highlight was the chance to see terra-cotta warriors up close.
Cavalryman with horse.
An archer with some of his original paint still intact. This gives some idea how life-like they would originally have appeared.
A musician
Video: terra-cotta musician and birds
The most amazing artifact was the half-size bronze chariot. As well as being beautufully detailed and well preserved, its also a technically impressive example of casting.
Video: bronze chariot
Crossbow in its holder on the chariot.
This was a surprise: not only were tehe Chinese using cross-bows as early as 200BC, but the Qin were mass-producing them with inter-changable parts. This is a cross-bow trigger mechanism.
At the end of the exhibition was a neat display of how the terra-cotta warriors had been made. Appropriately enough in the form of two terra-cotta dioramas.
The bodies were mass-produced to a few standard types -infantry, cavalry, officers etc.
The heads were sculpted separately presumably in the likeness of individual soldiers since no two are the same.
After the figures were fired, they were painted
Video: production of terra-cotta horse
Granny and Granddad
Granny and Granddad stopped over in Hong Kong again on their way back from their big trip to Europe, and I took some more time off work.
The temperature in Hong Kong is now much more comfortable than when they were here in Aug. Nevertheless we took it easy and didn't embark on any major sight-seeing expeditions this time.
Dad was happy to catch up with the papers.
We did one short 'neco sampo' in the park.
And tried to find some good chinese food. This is Granny at Ming Yuen
And of course the obligatory Saturday evening poolside buffet.
Video: Hannah didn't miss the opportunity to tell Granny and Granddad what she wants for her birthday.
The temperature in Hong Kong is now much more comfortable than when they were here in Aug. Nevertheless we took it easy and didn't embark on any major sight-seeing expeditions this time.
Dad was happy to catch up with the papers.
We did one short 'neco sampo' in the park.
And tried to find some good chinese food. This is Granny at Ming Yuen
Video: Hannah didn't miss the opportunity to tell Granny and Granddad what she wants for her birthday.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
New Posts
Since it was a quiet weekend I was able to clear some of the back-log from 2011 caused by the March earthquake and then relocating to Hong Kong.
Back-dated posts added recently.
Charity Bazar (7-Oct-12)
Parklife 4 (7-Oct-12)
Neco Sampo (6-Oct-12) link
NZ - Milford Sound (18-Dec-12) link
NZ - Queenstown (17-Dec-11) link
Happy Holidays (16-Dec-11) link
Aftershocks (30-Nov-11) link
RIP Sasuke 2002-2011 (11-Nov-11) link
Yoyogi International School Graduation Ceremony (8-Jun-11) link
Komoso (5-Jun-11) link
Back-dated posts added recently.
Charity Bazar (7-Oct-12)
Parklife 4 (7-Oct-12)
Neco Sampo (6-Oct-12) link
NZ - Milford Sound (18-Dec-12) link
NZ - Queenstown (17-Dec-11) link
Happy Holidays (16-Dec-11) link
Aftershocks (30-Nov-11) link
RIP Sasuke 2002-2011 (11-Nov-11) link
Yoyogi International School Graduation Ceremony (8-Jun-11) link
Komoso (5-Jun-11) link
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Yamaguchi Goro's star
I've just bought a copy of a famous shakuhachi CD 'A bell ringing in the Empty Sky' by Yamaguchi Goro, who I've been meaning to blog about for some time.
Yamaguchi Goro (1933-99) was a world-famous shakuhachi player and a Japanese 'living national treasure'. He was head of the Chikumeisha shakuhachi guild, professor at Tokyo University for the Arts ('Geidai') and recipient of numerous awards. He was taught by his father Yamaguchi Shiro, himself one of the leading Shakuhachi players of his day and one of the greatest shakuhachi makers.
Here is a link to video of Yamaguchi Goro playing 'Sokaku Reibo'. And another link to video of him playing the sankyoku (ensemble) piece 'Haru No Kyoku' which 13th-next piece I'll be learning (around 2025 at my current rate of progress) .
Yamaguchi Goro lived in Sangubashi (Yoyogi 3-chome 43) until he passed-away in 1999, so he was also a 'neighbour' of ours even though we only started living there in 2007. In fact, in our family lore Yamaguchi Goro now lives on the evening star with our cat Sasuke, and I wanted to share the story of how this came to happen.
Hannah and I would often bicycle to Shinjuku Central Park or Times Square and would often pass Yamaguchi Goro's house on the way home, as the evening star was rising. At that time the house still had his illuminated name-plate and seemed to be used by the Chikumeisha guild.
I told Hannah that Christopher's teacher used to live there, but had passed away before we arrived. Hannah asked if he had gone 'to the sky' (Rika's terminology for heaven). "Yes". "Is he living on a star?" "well.." "is he on that one?". And so the evening star became Yamaguchi Goro's star. Hannah would often point it out, especially if we were passing his house.
Hannah would often talk about Yamaguchi Goros star, and people passing-on and going to live there with Yamaguchi Goro. So he seemed to become a sort of St Peter figure to her. When our cat Sasuke passed away in November 2011, of course he moved-in with Yamaguchi Goro. She still sometimes talks about them living together on his star, sometimes with other members of the family like Hanaoka-san and Gigi (Rika's father).
Yamaguchi Goro (1933-99) was a world-famous shakuhachi player and a Japanese 'living national treasure'. He was head of the Chikumeisha shakuhachi guild, professor at Tokyo University for the Arts ('Geidai') and recipient of numerous awards. He was taught by his father Yamaguchi Shiro, himself one of the leading Shakuhachi players of his day and one of the greatest shakuhachi makers.
 |
| Yamaguchi Shiro and Yamaguchi Goro |
Yamaguchi Goro was also influential in spreading shakuhachi to the west. During a period as artist in Residence at Wesleyan University (1967-68) he recorded one of the first and most influential shakuhachi recordings in the US 'Bell Ringing in an Empty Sky', one tack of which was selected by NASA to be sent into space on the Voyager spaceship. He also taught many 'gaijin' students at Geidai and privately, including my own teacher Christopher (see link).
Here is a link to video of Yamaguchi Goro playing 'Sokaku Reibo'. And another link to video of him playing the sankyoku (ensemble) piece 'Haru No Kyoku' which 13th-next piece I'll be learning (around 2025 at my current rate of progress) .
Yamaguchi Goro lived in Sangubashi (Yoyogi 3-chome 43) until he passed-away in 1999, so he was also a 'neighbour' of ours even though we only started living there in 2007. In fact, in our family lore Yamaguchi Goro now lives on the evening star with our cat Sasuke, and I wanted to share the story of how this came to happen.
Hannah and I would often bicycle to Shinjuku Central Park or Times Square and would often pass Yamaguchi Goro's house on the way home, as the evening star was rising. At that time the house still had his illuminated name-plate and seemed to be used by the Chikumeisha guild.
I told Hannah that Christopher's teacher used to live there, but had passed away before we arrived. Hannah asked if he had gone 'to the sky' (Rika's terminology for heaven). "Yes". "Is he living on a star?" "well.." "is he on that one?". And so the evening star became Yamaguchi Goro's star. Hannah would often point it out, especially if we were passing his house.
Hannah would often talk about Yamaguchi Goros star, and people passing-on and going to live there with Yamaguchi Goro. So he seemed to become a sort of St Peter figure to her. When our cat Sasuke passed away in November 2011, of course he moved-in with Yamaguchi Goro. She still sometimes talks about them living together on his star, sometimes with other members of the family like Hanaoka-san and Gigi (Rika's father).
Saturday
Today is the day of the Great Pumpkin Festival, an important event at Hannah's school.
Unfortunately we couldnt attend as Hannah has gastroenteritis. She started vomiting on Friday around midnight and by Saturday was unable even to hold-down water.
So we took her to the Adventist Hospital.
After taking medicine she has been able to take some fluids without vomiting. But she is now running a temperature. It is going to be a quiet weekend.
Unfortunately we couldnt attend as Hannah has gastroenteritis. She started vomiting on Friday around midnight and by Saturday was unable even to hold-down water.
So we took her to the Adventist Hospital.
After taking medicine she has been able to take some fluids without vomiting. But she is now running a temperature. It is going to be a quiet weekend.
Chen Tai Chi
After 6 weeks of beginners lessons I was today allowed to move-up and join the 2nd class of the Saturday morning session. This class works through the full form in sequence and is run on Saturday and Monday nights
I've gradually begun to get some idea of what Im learning, and who Im learning it from. It turns out we are studying the competition 56-form of 'chen style' tai chi. My teacher, Xue Qiong, is apparently 5 times Hong Kong women's Tai Chi champion. She is from Shanghai, was a member of the Chinese national wushu team. When I googled her name I found her listed as 2nd in Tai Chi the 1993 World Wushu championships (link). Anyway she is very nice, moves beautifully, and structures the lessons clearly. I can't understand a word she says, but Im doing OK by following the her movements as closely as I can, and receiving occasional summaries of key points from my classmates.
The oldest student in the class is 83, and I believe some of the women in the class participate in competitions and recently won medals at competition in Taiwan. Also Im continually impressed by how welcoming and friendly everyone is.
Chen style is is the oldest and parent form of all traditional Tai Chi family styles. It originally developed as a family martial art in Chen Village (Chenjiagou), Henan Province:
"The special nature of Tai Chi Chuan practice was attributed to the ninth generation Chen Village leader, Chen Wangting (1580–1660). He codified pre-existing Chen training practice into a corpus of seven routines.... integrated different elements of Chinese philosophy into the martial arts training to create a new approach that we now recognize as the Internal martial arts. He added the principles of Yin-Yang theory, the techniques of Doayin (leading and guiding energy) and Tu-na (expelling and drawing energy), theories encountered in Traditional Chinese Medicine... incorporated the boxing theories from sixteen different martial art styles." (Wiki)
"The Chen family system was only taught within the Chen village region until 1928. The other four contemporary traditional tai chi styles (Yang, Sun, Wu and Woo) all trace their teachings back to Chen village in the early 1800s". The first recorded non-Chen-family disciple to be taught was Yang Luchan (1799–1871). Yang went on to popularize the art throughout China during the second half of the 19th century, as his own family tradition known as Yang-style t'ai chi ch'aun." Thus, 'Yang style' is the best well-known form of Tai Chi, especially outside China.
Chen style was first taught outside the village from 1928 when Chen Zhaopei and later his uncle, Chen Fake (1887-1957) moved from Chen village to teach in Beijing.
Apparently the Chen tradition emphasizes martial-arts efficacy more than other styles. The form we are learning - 56 Chen Competition form - was developed by the Chinese National Wushu Association from the Chen 'lao jia' routines, the first Chen forms to be publicly revealed in Beijing by Chen Fake and his nephew.
'Lao jia' consists of yi lu (1st routine) and er lu (2nd routine): "Yi lu (the first empty hand form) at the beginner level is mostly done slowly with large motions interrupted by occasional expressions of fast power (Fa jing) that comprise less than 20% of the movements, with the overall purpose of teaching the body to move correctly. At the intermediate level it is practiced in very low stances (low frame) with an exploration of clear directional separation in power changes and in speed tempo. The movements become smaller and the changes in directional force become more subtle. At the advanced level the leg strength built at the previous level allows full relaxation and the potential for Fajing in every movement." (Wiki)
Here is a lovely demonstration of the first half of the Chen 56 Form.
The second empty hand form, "er lu" or "cannon fist" is done faster and is used to add more advanced martial techniques such as advanced sweeping and more advanced fajing methods. Both forms also teach various martial techniques."
Here is a link to a video of the 56-form being performed by a 4 year old girl a HongKong Martial Arts Wushu Assocation event.
And a rather scary demonstration of the martial arts applications of these movements.
56 Set Posture Names (source)
Section 1
1.Commencing Form
2.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Right Style
3.Tuck in Robes
4. Six Sealings and Four Closings -- Right Style
5.Single Whip -- Left Style
6.Parry and Punch with Elbows
7.Protect Heart with Fists
8.White Crane Spreads Its Wings
9.Walk Obliquely and Twist Step
10.Lift Knee, Push and Press Palms
11.Wade Forward and Twist Step
12.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Left Style
13.Parry with Fist
14.Lean and Break with Back
15.Black Dragon Rises from the Water
16.Slice with Palm
17.Turn and Press with Palms
18.Turn Flowers Out from the Bottom of the Sea
19.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Right Style
20.Six Sealings and Four Closings
21.Single Whip -- Right Style
Section 2
22.Wave Hands Like Clouds (rightward)
23.Wave Hands Like Clouds (leftward)
24.Pat High on the Horse
25.Combined Cannons -- Right Style
26.Combined Cannons -- Left Style
27.Deflect Through the Back
Section 3
28.Strike Groin with Fist
29.White Ape Presents Fruit
30.Push with Both Hands
31.Middle Winding
32.Forward Trick
33.Backward Trick
34.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Right Style
35.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Left Style
36.Lotus Kick and Drop into the Splits
37.Golden Cock Stands on One Leg -- on Both Sides
Section 4
38.Step Backward and Whirl Arms
39.Step Backward and Press Elbow
40.Slap Foot
41.Kick with Outer Edge of Foot
42.Turn Flower Out from the Bottom of the Sea
43.Punch Ground with Fist
44.Turn Body and Front Jump Kick
45.Stamp with Both Feet
46.Kick with Heel
47.Fair Lady Works at the Shuttle
48.Smooth Elbowing
49.Wrap Firecrackers
50.Dragon Dives to the Ground
51.Step Forward with Seven-Star
52.Step Backward and Straddle the Tiger
53.Turn Body and Lotus Kick
54.Strike Face Like Cannon
55.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Left Style
56.Closing Form
I've gradually begun to get some idea of what Im learning, and who Im learning it from. It turns out we are studying the competition 56-form of 'chen style' tai chi. My teacher, Xue Qiong, is apparently 5 times Hong Kong women's Tai Chi champion. She is from Shanghai, was a member of the Chinese national wushu team. When I googled her name I found her listed as 2nd in Tai Chi the 1993 World Wushu championships (link). Anyway she is very nice, moves beautifully, and structures the lessons clearly. I can't understand a word she says, but Im doing OK by following the her movements as closely as I can, and receiving occasional summaries of key points from my classmates.
The oldest student in the class is 83, and I believe some of the women in the class participate in competitions and recently won medals at competition in Taiwan. Also Im continually impressed by how welcoming and friendly everyone is.
Chen style is is the oldest and parent form of all traditional Tai Chi family styles. It originally developed as a family martial art in Chen Village (Chenjiagou), Henan Province:
 |
| Chen Jia Gou |
"The special nature of Tai Chi Chuan practice was attributed to the ninth generation Chen Village leader, Chen Wangting (1580–1660). He codified pre-existing Chen training practice into a corpus of seven routines.... integrated different elements of Chinese philosophy into the martial arts training to create a new approach that we now recognize as the Internal martial arts. He added the principles of Yin-Yang theory, the techniques of Doayin (leading and guiding energy) and Tu-na (expelling and drawing energy), theories encountered in Traditional Chinese Medicine... incorporated the boxing theories from sixteen different martial art styles." (Wiki)
"The Chen family system was only taught within the Chen village region until 1928. The other four contemporary traditional tai chi styles (Yang, Sun, Wu and Woo) all trace their teachings back to Chen village in the early 1800s". The first recorded non-Chen-family disciple to be taught was Yang Luchan (1799–1871). Yang went on to popularize the art throughout China during the second half of the 19th century, as his own family tradition known as Yang-style t'ai chi ch'aun." Thus, 'Yang style' is the best well-known form of Tai Chi, especially outside China.
Chen style was first taught outside the village from 1928 when Chen Zhaopei and later his uncle, Chen Fake (1887-1957) moved from Chen village to teach in Beijing.
 |
| Chen Fake - Authentic TaChi |
'Lao jia' consists of yi lu (1st routine) and er lu (2nd routine): "Yi lu (the first empty hand form) at the beginner level is mostly done slowly with large motions interrupted by occasional expressions of fast power (Fa jing) that comprise less than 20% of the movements, with the overall purpose of teaching the body to move correctly. At the intermediate level it is practiced in very low stances (low frame) with an exploration of clear directional separation in power changes and in speed tempo. The movements become smaller and the changes in directional force become more subtle. At the advanced level the leg strength built at the previous level allows full relaxation and the potential for Fajing in every movement." (Wiki)
Here is a lovely demonstration of the first half of the Chen 56 Form.
The second empty hand form, "er lu" or "cannon fist" is done faster and is used to add more advanced martial techniques such as advanced sweeping and more advanced fajing methods. Both forms also teach various martial techniques."
Here is a link to a video of the 56-form being performed by a 4 year old girl a HongKong Martial Arts Wushu Assocation event.
And a rather scary demonstration of the martial arts applications of these movements.
56 Set Posture Names (source)
Section 1
1.Commencing Form
2.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Right Style
3.Tuck in Robes
4. Six Sealings and Four Closings -- Right Style
5.Single Whip -- Left Style
6.Parry and Punch with Elbows
7.Protect Heart with Fists
8.White Crane Spreads Its Wings
9.Walk Obliquely and Twist Step
10.Lift Knee, Push and Press Palms
11.Wade Forward and Twist Step
12.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Left Style
13.Parry with Fist
14.Lean and Break with Back
15.Black Dragon Rises from the Water
16.Slice with Palm
17.Turn and Press with Palms
18.Turn Flowers Out from the Bottom of the Sea
19.Cover Hands and Strike with Arm -- Right Style
20.Six Sealings and Four Closings
21.Single Whip -- Right Style
Section 2
22.Wave Hands Like Clouds (rightward)
23.Wave Hands Like Clouds (leftward)
24.Pat High on the Horse
25.Combined Cannons -- Right Style
26.Combined Cannons -- Left Style
27.Deflect Through the Back
Section 3
28.Strike Groin with Fist
29.White Ape Presents Fruit
30.Push with Both Hands
31.Middle Winding
32.Forward Trick
33.Backward Trick
34.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Right Style
35.Part the Wild Horse's Mane -- Left Style
36.Lotus Kick and Drop into the Splits
37.Golden Cock Stands on One Leg -- on Both Sides
Section 4
38.Step Backward and Whirl Arms
39.Step Backward and Press Elbow
40.Slap Foot
41.Kick with Outer Edge of Foot
42.Turn Flower Out from the Bottom of the Sea
43.Punch Ground with Fist
44.Turn Body and Front Jump Kick
45.Stamp with Both Feet
46.Kick with Heel
47.Fair Lady Works at the Shuttle
48.Smooth Elbowing
49.Wrap Firecrackers
50.Dragon Dives to the Ground
51.Step Forward with Seven-Star
52.Step Backward and Straddle the Tiger
53.Turn Body and Lotus Kick
54.Strike Face Like Cannon
55.Buddha's Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar -- Left Style
56.Closing Form
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