Renshuu 練習

A friend from taiko class came over this afternoon to practice taiko with me. She brought her bachi (drum sticks for taiko) and her practice drum made from PVC pipe (with real cow skin head). I used my djembé and bachi because that is the drum I have. The djembé's diameter and height are both smaller and shorter than the practice taiko we use in class, but is fine for simple rhythm practice. We practiced the song "renshuu" over and over, smiling with delight as we produced the rhythms together. We spoke the special taiko words - kuchishowa - for the sounds that are made on the drum and laughed.

dear deer

I saw deer in the darkness tonight as I came to the part of the hill where I hop off my bike. Three of them. I could see their long ears parallel to the ground as they grazed alongside the houses on the hill. I was still repeating don doku don doku, kara kara kara kara from taiko class, exhilarated from the rhythms and the bicycle ride home.