１２月２８日（木曜日）２０２３

    ロネとジージのクラウン・ライブが２７日、２８日に東京であり、埼玉での別の友人の劇団公演もあったので、応援を兼ねて時間差で観に行ってきました。

    既にお知らせしたようにロネジジの二人はこの秋相次いで骨折するという前代未聞の出来事に遭遇し今後の活動が見えない深刻な状況に陥り、広く緊急支援を求めるに至りました。事故に遭う前、つまり９月のライブが全て満席という絶好調で１２月の再演は多くの方の要望に応える形でした。....が、その後の予期せぬ事故。クラウンが大好き! ステージに立ちたい! 皆さんの応援に応えたい! という二人は、しかしながら無理をして回復を遅らせてはいけないと２日間４公演に的を絞って稽古に励んだと思います。

    私にとってフルバージョンで夜のライブを観たのは初めて。愉快で大笑いの舞台を楽しんだのは言うまでもありません。それにしても怪我からの回復半ばの二人。アドレナリンが出ていたにしろ「痛み」はあったはずです。それでも滑稽なクラウニングの連続、歌やダンスを見せながら観客を笑いに巻き込むロネジジのエンターテイナーとしての実力には脱帽です。

    最後の談話で「天国と地獄を見ました」と言った二人。温かい支援を受けて危機を乗り切ったと言える年越しであってほしいと願っています。
https://roneandgigi.com/helpneeded2024/6350/?fbclid=IwAR1PXx5zKcTY30tCFrUZJbNLKe4QGl53DGEf-o2N6PGWnMg_P_SL7l2XSZ4

    RONE & Gigi's clown live was held on Dec. 27th and 28th in Tokyo. Since I had another stage which I wanted to support, organized by another friend in Saitama, I went to two theaters on the 27th.

    As I explained before, Rone & Gigi had serious accidents individually this fall and they couldn't predict their schedule, so they needed to start crowdfunding for support. Last September, before their accidents, all their stages were full of seats because Rone & Gigi were introduced in the popular newspaper and it got many people's attention and many people came to their show. They were in great condition at that time and decided to have extra performances in December. Then Rone had a serious accident in India, and Gigi had a fracture next. Since they both love to be clowns, they wanted to perform their show and to respond to the support for them. They concentrated on rehearsing for the show in December.

    It was the first time for me to watch the full version of the show in Tokyo, I enjoyed it 100%. However, the two clowns haven't recovered from their fractures completely yet, and it must have hurt. Rone and Gigi performed comical clowning one after another, sang songs and dances, getting laughter from the audience. I admired that they were really entertainers.

    There was a small time for them to talk after the show. Then they said " we saw heaven and hell this fall". I wish for them warm support and to be able to say that they overcame crises as they enter into the new year. https://roneandgigi.com/emergency2024/6545/

１２月２２日（金曜日）２０２３

    昨日、多賀大社にお参りに行ったら少しずつ新年を迎える準備が進んでいました。そこで、珍しい光景に出くわしました。拝殿手前の大きなしめ縄を神職の方二人が新しいものに取り替える作業です。時折陽は差すものの風は冷たく作業は大変そう。竹に括り付けた重いしめ縄を担ぎ上げ、脚立に乗って、名前が分かりませんが木を削って紐にしたものでしめ縄を拝殿の横木に縛りつけ、それが終わったら、大きな御幣を定位置に付けます。御幣のところまで結構時間がかかり、私は寒くて一旦家に帰って後でもう一度神社へ行った時には綺麗に新しいしめ縄がつけられていました。

    ところで、神社のしめ縄。ネット情報では「神の領域と現世を分け隔てる『結界』として不純なものが入るのを防ぐ役目を担うもの」とありました。いつも何気なくしめ縄の下を通って参拝していましたが、神聖な場所に踏み入れているのですね。貴重な神社の暮れの風物が見られたと感謝しています。

    When I visited Taga Taisha (shrine) yesterday、 I could see the preparations for welcoming the new year here and there. Then, I saw an interesting custom of the shrine. It was annual work of replacing Shimenawa (sacred rope of the Shinto) by the staff of the shrine. Although the sun shined sometimes, the wind was cold and it seemed the work was not easy. Two men carried the big Shimenawa which was tied to bamboo and put it on the beam of the entrance. Then they put four big Gohei (strips of white paper) into the Shimenawa. Up until putting the Gohei, it took so much time and I couldn't keep watching and I went home because of the cold weather. When I went to the shrine later, the new Shmenawa was beautifully attached.

    By the way, why is Shimenawa put there ? It is a barrier between God's realm and the present world which contains various impure things. Without knowing this, I had been standing in the area and praying to God up until then. I am grateful to see this precious annual custom of the shrine.

１２月１７日（日曜日）２０２３

    我が町内には神社脇に流れる車戸川沿に小さな地蔵堂があって、町内に住む人が１週間ずつ交代でお地蔵様のお世話や夜回りを受け持つことになっています。住民の高齢化が進み、また其々の事情もあることから「できる範囲で」という緩やかな当番です。

    さて今週は私のところに順番が回ってきましたが、諸々忙しく気になっていながらお世話に行けず最終日の本日ようやくカフェを開ける前にお地蔵様のところへ行くことができました。

    お仏飯を３体のお地蔵様の器に入れて、いつものように掃除用の濡れた布とビニール袋を持参して地蔵堂の中に入り、まずは床掃除を...と、中にある賽銭箱を動かしたとたん、見えたものはカメムシの集団。思わず口に出たのは「ああ、カメちゃん、こんなに！？」。少し動くものもいたけど大半はじっとくっつき合っていたので、急ぎカメムシ捕獲道具（ガムテープ）を家に取りに帰りました。戻ってきた時は少しバラけて床を這っていたり、賽銭箱本体に５、６匹はついていたりしましたが、彼らは静かに「その時」を待っていました。実はこんなに大量にカメ君を捕獲するのは初めてで悲鳴を上げたくなるくらいでしたが、いるのは私一人。お地蔵様の前でしたが、心を落ち着かせて次々にガムテープで捕獲していきました。その後は箒で履いて、台や床を綺麗にしていくのですが、カメ君はあちこちからまだまだ出てきました。何匹捕獲したかって？......かなりの数でした。

    一件落着してお地蔵様にお仏飯を上げてろうそくとお線香でお参りして、外回りを簡単に掃除して、取り敢えずほっとして帰宅。陽は差していましたが風が強く寒い朝でした。今夜は雪になるとの予報です。明日はどんな景色が見られることでしょう。
 

    There is a small hall dedicated to Jizo Bosatsu beside a small river along the shrine in our neighborhood. We have been taking turns taking care of Jizo and the small hall, but due to the reality that people are getting old year by year and everyone has their own important personal matters, the role is not strict these days. 

    Well, the role turned to me last week and it was in my mind everyday. I could finally go to the o-Jiso-sama on the last day before my cafe opened.

    Entering the hall and moving the offering box which was placed inside the hall because of cleaning underneath, I saw a bunch of shield bugs stuck on the board. I unintentionally said "Wow, that's too much!". Since most of them were just quietly staying there, I went home to take a masking tape (which is very useful to catch them!) in a hurry. When I came back to the hall, some of them had moved nearby but most of them were waiting for me to catch them. To tell the truth, I have never seen such a bunch of shield bugs and caught them while almost crying doing so, but nobody was there but me. Although I was in front of Jizo Buddha, I made myself calm down and executed each one by one. Are you asking how many I did? Oh, quite a lot.

    Well, I cleaned the floor and offered hot cooked rice in a bowl, a lighted candle and incense and prayed for peace. The sun came out occasionally but it was a cold morning with a chilly wind.

１２月１６日（土曜日）２０２３

    １２月９日（土）の彦根市みずほ文化センターでのロネ＆ジージのビッグイヤーズショーが満席、当日券も売り切れで終演しました。

    実は９月末〜１０月にかけてのインドツアーの最中、ロネがステージから落下という信じられない事故で大怪我を負い、痛々しい姿で日本に帰国し、半月後には京都と多賀でのライブが待っていました。事情を知るものはどうなることかとヒヤヒヤドキドキで舞台を見守りました。演出で少しの変更はありましたがステージをご覧になった方は知らされるまではそのことに全く気づかないほど、立派で素晴らしいものでした。

    その後次回の公演のために東京で稽古をしている最中、今度は相方のジージが左足を骨折するという事態が発生。しばらくは車椅子と松葉杖の生活。体を張って全力で仕事をするクラウンにとって、それがどれほど深刻な状況であるか容易に察しがつきます。

    １１月２３日の東近江市あかねホールでの公演はクオリティの低いものは見せられないと苦渋の決断で中止。続く１２月のみずほ文化センターでの公演はどうなるのかと誰もが息を呑む中、ロネジジの二人は滋賀にやってきました。ロネは右肋骨３本が折れた後まだ接合していないらしく、膝の捻挫も回復が遅れているとのこと。ジージは松葉杖ではありませんでしたが、ギプスと杖で私の前に現れました。「骨折コンビ」などと笑っていましたが、何としてもステージに立つとの決意はプロ魂そのもの。万全の対策をこうじて、９日のみずほ文化センターでの公演日を迎えました。

    朝からロネジジたちに密着し見てきた一部を紹介します。

    体調悪くして遅れて彦根入りしたマギーと合流後、ホールに９時到着。機材搬入と設置。その後ロネの指示による念入りな音響チェック。１１時から１２時１０分まで場当たりのリハ。この時、ジージは杖をついてのステージ。ロネの右肩をジージは触らないと約束。１３時半までにメイク、衣装完了。１４時マギーの元気なMCで開演。客席は超満員。ワクワクする音楽で幕が上がるとそこには大きな耳と赤い鼻のロネとジージ。数秒もしないうちに子供達の歓声と観客の笑い声が会場に響く。あれ？太っちょジージが足を引きずらないで歩いてる！ロネが右肩を動かし、手を上げてる！負担のかかるフェンスのエスカレーターの動きもしてる！軽妙なボールのジャグリング、クラブやカップも二人でやってる！ロネのマジックにみんな感心してる......　何度見ても二人の絶妙なタイミングと技に笑ってしまう。しかし舞台の二人はそれぞれ骨折しているのが現実です。お客は大喜びで笑いと拍手を送っている。この両方を見ている私は胸が熱くなり言葉にならない思いでした。

    さて、長くなりましたが、ロネとジージの相次ぐ怪我によるクラウンの危機が容赦なく押し寄せてきています。皆様のご支援がいただければと心から願っております。

https://roneandgigi.com/helpneeded2024/6350/

    The Big Ears Show by Clown RONE & Gigi was held at Mizuho Cultural Center in Hikone and was successfully over with fully occupied people.

    As a matter of fact, there was a big accident in the International Clown Festival in India in late September. RONE fell down from the 6.6 foot stage during their show. She had severe damage in her body such as bruises all over the body, multiple rib fractures, both knee sprains. She came back to Japan with a painful appearance but Rone & Gigi had several appointments for their shows in Kyoto and Shiga in 40 days. Only a few related people knew about the accident and worried about her very much, but Rone & Gigi finished their four amazing stage performances.

    Few days later when they were rehearsing in Tokyo for the next stage performance,  this time Gigi broke her left leg and she couldn't move without a wheelchair or cane. We knew how serious this situation was for them.

    They were expected to perform their show on Nov.23rd at Higashi Ohmi in Shiga, but they didn't want to perform with a lower level of quality than usual. After deep thinking, Rone & Gigi decided not to be on the stage. However, they also had a performance scheduled in Hikone in Dec. and they didn't cancel it. Rone and Gigi came to Shiga as scheduled. Rone's three rib bones hadn't joined yet and her two knee sprains hadn't healed yet, Gigi appeared with a cane on her left foot and holding stick. They laughed at me saying "we are fracture clowns' ', but I was very much impressed by their professionalism.

    As I attended with them on their performing day at Hikone, I will write about what they did on that day.

    Picking up assistant Maggie at the hotel because she came late to Hikone and stayed there because she was not feeling well, we arrived at the event hall at 9 am. After installation of the sound equipment and sound check by Rone and Maggie, They did the spot rehearsal on the stage for about an hour. At this time, Gigi used a stick when she walked on the stage and she agreed with Rone that she wouldn't touch Rone's right shoulder area. By 1:30 Rone & Gigi finished clown makeup and were wearing costumes. At 2pm, the Big Ears Show started with Maggie's cheerful MC and joyful music. The hall was completely full. Rone & Gigi appeared on the stage and within seconds kids sent cheers and people laughed. I was very surprised to see the two clowns on the stage because Gigi walked normally and Rone lifted her right shoulder and raised her hands! I know there are several scenes which required tough movement for the injured clowns but they were getting a big laugh and applause showing their clowning, juggling with several tools, and Rone's funny magic. Thinking of their real body condition, I was watching the big reaction from the audience. My heart was filled with emotion.

    Well, as I explained, "Fracture Rone & Gigi " love being clowns very much and are doing their best now. However, they are actually facing a financial crisis due to their injury. I would like to say as a friend of R & G, I would be happy if you could support them. Thank you so much.

https://roneandgigi.com/emergency2024/6545/

１２月７日（木曜日）２０２３　

    小３ろ組の子供たちに「わすれられられないおくりもの」（スーザン・バーレイ作絵）を読みました。体がなくなっても心は残ると信じて死をおそれない歳をとったアナグマは皆んなにとってかけがいのない存在でした。そのアナグマが死んでしまった後の皆の悲しみは言うまでもありません。しばらくして皆んなが集まるとそれぞれがアナグマから教えてもらったことを話すようになり、それが自分の力になっていることを知ります。

    アナグマといえば、２年ほど前に屋根裏に侵入した小動物を捕獲するために庭に設置した罠に捕まったのがアナグマでした。実は、屋根裏に入ったのはアナグマではなく彼は濡れ衣だった訳で役場の獣害課の人に罠ごと持っていってもらいましたが、かわいそうなことをしたと今思っています。また、その話を私から聞いて、動物好きのO君は自分で色づけしたアナグマのフィギュアをカフェに持ってきてくれました。

    私にとってアナグマの登場はこれで三度目。今回の絵本は小３の国語の教材にもなっているようで、子供達は一部を宿題として読んだと話してくれました。「死」は恐ろしいものでも悲しむものでもないという作者の穏やかなメッセージが子供達にどう届いたでしょうか。一部ではなく絵と一緒に全部読めたのはよかったです。

    I read "Badger's Parting Gifts" by Susan Varlel for the third graders at the morning storytelling class. Badger, who is very old but not afraid of death because he believes that even if his body disappears, his soul will remain, was loved by everyone. So, when he died, it went without saying that everybody was in deep grief. After a while spring came, and all the animals got together and talked to each other about the things which they learned from the badger. Then they knew that everything from the badger turned to their current power.

    I remember that some animal penetrated my attic a couple of years ago, and in order to catch it we set a cage in my backyard in which we put some food. Then badger was caught but actually it was not the animal which we tried to catch. Poor badger was taken away by the man who came from the town hall. I talked about it to Mr.O who loves insects and animals and has much knowledge about them. He brought a small figure of badger which he colored himself, and gifted it to me.

    This is the third time for me to encounter "badger". I heard from the teacher and children that the picture book ,"Badger's Parting Gifts" is partially used as teaching material and they let me know that they read the first part of the book on the assignment sheet. I wonder how the gentle message of Susan Verley that "death" is not something you should be afraid of or sad, reached the third graders. Anyhow, I am glad that I could read the whole story and show the pictures.

１１月２７日（月曜日）２０２３

    １１月は師走の前の月で、あれ？何と言ったっけ...と「霜月」という呼び名を忘れてしまっていました。日本語の語彙がどんどん暮らしから消えています。

    最近驚いたのは「ブラックフライデー」と言って大安売りを宣伝していたことです。これはメイフラワー号でアメリカに渡った清教徒たちが最初の収穫を神に感謝し１１月の第４木曜日を感謝祭として祝う年中行事があり、全米が大型連休でワクワクするのですが、感謝祭の翌日の金曜日に１年で一番大きなセールがあり、これを「Black Friday（ブラック・フライデー）」と呼び、早朝から大勢の人が買い物に殺到します。語源は諸説あるようですが、こんな縁もゆかりもない言葉が日本で使われ出したのです。

    彦根にはこの時期「ゑびす講」という大売り出しがあって、昔、母が年末の買い物をするのに電車で彦根のゑびす講に行くのですが、私たち兄妹も連れていってもらったのが幼い私には大興奮でした。

    少数派であることは承知の上で、論外の「ブラックフライデー」はさておき、「セール」よりも「大安売り」と言ってくれた方が断然、人情味があってカッコイイと思うのです。

    定休日の午後、久しぶりに多賀大社の境内を歩いてみました。今年の紅葉も見納めかもしれません。

    We have Japanese classic names of twelve months as well as modern names which are commonly used. Today I tried to recall the classic name of November but it didn't come to my head because I forgot it. It's Shimo-tsuki (lit. the month which frost falls). Many Japanese words have disappeared from our daily life even though they are not classic and new Katakana words which are used for foreign words have increased instead.

    This fall, I often saw "Bulakku Furaidei" (Black Friday) in commercial advertisement for big sale. It comes from Black Friday in the US which is after Thanksgiving. I am disappointed that Japanese people use this kind of word which has no relation to Japanese people and culture. Most Japanese people don't know what it is.

    In Japan we also have a big sale near the end of the year. When I was small, my mother used to go to Hikone to buy necessary things for the New Year and she took me and my brothers with her.  It was a pleasant experience which I looked forward to every year when I was young. The name of the sale was "Ebisu-koo".

    I know I am in the minority, but I definitely prefer to use "Oo yasuuri (big sale)" rather than "Sēru" or "Bulakku Furaidei" (Black Friday), because it gives a sense of human warmth and is cool.

    I took a walk to Taga Taisha in the afternoon because the cafe was closed. The maple trees turned red and they were so beautiful. Since it is the end of November, I thought it might be the last look this year.

１１月２２日（水曜日）２０２３

　朝起きて台所で支度を始めようとした時、ふといつもとは違う外気を感じ、外を見ると深い霧。急いでカメラを持って通りへ出ると、一面白い霧が立ち込めて、湿気を帯びた空気が肌を撫でていくのが感じられました。山の中なら普通の光景でしょうが、多賀の街中でこれほど深い霧に包まれることは滅多にありません。何度かシャッターを押すうちに霧はみるみる薄くなり周りが見え出してきました。ああ、もっと早く起きていればもっと深い霧の中に佇めたのに....と残念に思いながらも、しばらくはその美しい静かな光景に心が奪われました。
ヘルマン・ヘッセの詩に霧を詠んだものがあり、ネットで調べると印象に残っていた一節が確かにありました。


「霧の中」　高橋健二訳
Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Einsam ist jeder Busch und Stein,
Kein Baum sieht den andern,
Jeder ist allein.　


不思議だ、霧の中を歩くのは！
どの茂みも石も孤独だ、
どの木にも他の木は見えない。
みんなひとりぽっちだ。　　　　ヘルマン・ヘッセ(1877-1962)


    「みんなひとりぼっち」に共感しながら、であるが故に他を慈しみ愛おしく思う実感は孤独を超えるような気がします。

    When I woke up and just about to start my morning preparation for the cafe, I felt something different in the air and looked outside, then I saw deep fog there. Going out with my camera in a hurry, the fog was hanging heavy and I felt wet air touching my cheek. If you are in the mountains, fog can be seen commonly, but it is very rare to see deep fog in towns like my area. While I was pushing the camera button, the heavy fog was changing to a light one. I regret that I should have woken up much earlier to stay in a deep fog, but still I liked to be there in a fog which was so beautiful and quiet.

    I remember the poem about fog by Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), and checked the phrase which I like on the net.

In the Fog

Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Einsam ist jeder Busch und Stein,
Kein Baum sieht den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Strange to walk in the fog!
Every bush and stone is lonely,
no tree can see the other,
Each one is alone.

    I empathize with the idea that "everyone is alone," but I believe the feeling of compassion and love for others can help to overcome the sense of loneliness.

１１月１７日（金曜日）２０２３

    北大で研究の傍ら教鞭を取り、その後東北大へ、内閣府の仕事もして、今は滋賀に戻られた高校の同級生が近く海外からのお客様を迎えるにあたって、ご案内先としてうちを選んでくださり、昼食の試食を兼ねて見えて、お土産に北海道から送られてきたという「じゃがいも」のお裾分けをいただきました。見ると６種類もの品種！それぞれの袋に名前とそれに合う料理が書いてありました。私が長くいたボストンにも結構な種類のじゃがいもが店頭に並んでいましたが、今回男爵以外は聞いたこともない名前ばかり。シチューや炒め物、コロッケやスープ、はたまた肉じゃがやサラダにとそれぞれ書いてあります。

    週末は小学生のチビッコたちが我が家でお弁当を食べる予定なので、子供達が好きなフライドポテトにこのじゃがいもを使おう！と思いついたものの、さて、どのポテトを使ったらいいのか....？
 

    My high School classmate who was in Hokkaido Univ. doing research as well as teaching, then moved to Tohoku Univ., and worked at the Cabinet Office as well after retirement, is now settled in Shiga. He said he wanted to bring his friend and his family from Brazil to my cafe and have lunch. The other day, he came to visit me for lunch beforehand and gave various kinds of potatoes from Hokkaido which he received from his relatives. There were six kinds of potatoes in six bags and each bag had names of the potatoes with recommended ways of cooking such as good for salad,stew, etc on the labels.

     I am expecting to have eleven kids with four chaperones over to eat box dinner in my cafe over the weekend.  Now I am planning to use these potatoes for French fries which many kids love for their dinner.  Well, I am in a bit of a predicament because I don't know which potato is good for French fries ....

　

１１月１５日（水曜日）２０２３

　１１日（土）１２日（日）のロネとジージによるビッグイヤーズショー、クラウン講座、そしてコメディミュージックライブ「ライフ・イズ・カーニバル」がクラウン達の素晴らしいパフォーマンスの力はもちろん、遠く県外からも大勢観に来てくださったお客様の笑いと拍手、そして数日前の会場作りから本番当日も手伝ってくださったスタッフの皆さんのお陰で大盛況の下、幕を閉じました。　

　古民家の和室がクラウンのステージに変わり、笑いの渦が沸き起こる中、ちょっぴり心が揺れて泣けるようなシーンもあり、また華やかなフィナーレとなり、会場は今また元の和室へと戻りました。あれは夢だったのかと思うほど、それは現実からちょっと離れた空間での楽しいひとときでした。
　
　ライブショーを観に来て下さった澤伸枝さまから写真をお借りしたので、皆様にもご紹介します。写真にはありませんが、１１日17:00~のクラウン講座は３３年間クラウン一筋に欧米で修行を積んできたロネとジージならではの語りで、私たち自身の人々の受け入れ方や社会の見方を変えてくれるような、そんな貴重な時間でした。

　今回の公演に関わってくださった全ての皆様に厚く厚く御礼申し上げます。

　尚、１１月２６日（日）は多賀あさひやでロネとジージによるワークショップをいたします。

１３:３０−１５:００ジャグリング
１５:３０−１７:００コメディの授業

１講座３５００円　　２講座とも受講の場合は６５００円
参加申し込み：多賀あさひや（０７４９−４８−０１８６）

    Two Clown performances, Big Ears Show and the comedy music live "Life is Carnival" and Clown Talk were successfully over last weekend. It was because of RONE and Gigi's great performance and big applause and laugh by audience who were from not only nearby towns but also very distant places such as Yokohama, Kita Kyuushuu, as well as efforts of the staff who helped to set up stage and on performance day.

    It was amazing that the typical Japanese tatami room was transformed to a clown's performance stage. The show was funny and a scene that made us cry was inserted, then the climax was again lively. Now, the stage has disappeared and it's back to the Japanese tatami room again. I wonder if that amazing clown show really happened because it was such a wonderful world away from reality? Wasn't it a dream?

    I would like to share several photos of the show taken by Ms. S. Although there were no photos, the Clown Talk which was held on 11th, was so rich and valuable. RONE & Gigi who are 33years professional clowns trained in Europe and US explained what clown is, European humorous sense, difference between pro. clown and amature clown, etc.

    I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in the event such as performers, audience and staff who helped me a lot.

１１月８日（水曜日）２０２３

    １２日（日）のロネとジージのコメディ・ライブ「ライフ・イズ・カーニバル」は満席となりました。

    １１日（土）１３時のビッグイヤーズ・ショーと１７時のクラウン講座はまだ少しお席がございます。

    ビッグイヤーズショーは多賀あさひやならではのおまけがつきます。楽しみです〜

　また、クラウン講座はクラウンについての疑問を実践を見せながら分かりやすく解説してくれるという他にはない企画です。ここでの話は私たちのアタマを柔軟にし、生きやすくするための秘薬になります。聞かなきゃモッタイナイ！講座のおやつタイムには無料で白玉ぜんざいの特別サービスもあります。

１１月２６日（日）ワークショップです。
１３:００−１５:００ジャグリング　（西洋風のお手玉）体験
１５:３０−１７:００コメディの授業

お申し込みは多賀あさひやまで（０７４９−４８−０１８６）

    We will announce that RONE & Gigi's Comedy live is full.

    The Big Ears Show and Clown Talk are still available.    

    You will be surprised at the extra fun things in the Big Ears Show. You also will listen to a very valuable talk from the two clowns who are in their thirty three years career as a professional clown duo. They will talk about clowns which were not in Japanese culture and many people still don't know very much about it. The talk will be clear, easy and funny so everybody understands easily. It is behind-the-scenes talk by the clowns with no makeup. They are RONE & Gigi, who make our brain flexible and enliven us easily. Please do not miss this chance! You will also be served free Shiratama for the participants.

Nov. 26 is Clown Workshop

13:00-15:00 Juggling

15:30-17:00 Comedy Class

Please call Taga Asahiya (0749-48-0186).

１１月１日（水曜日）２０２３

クラウン講座の詳細です。

クラウン界のトップアーティストのロネとジージが「クラウンって何？」という疑問を分かりやすく解説し、時に実践を見せながら紹介してくれます。今の私たちに一番必要なのは、しなやかな思考とユーモアのセンスではないでしょうか。

１部：・クラウン的とはどういうことか。
　　　・欧米で育まれたユーモアセンス
　　　・アジアに広がるクラウンの文化
　　　・クラウンに学ぶ生き方

　　　　＜おやつタイム＞

２部：・クラウンになる為に必要なこと、日々の稽古についてetc
　　　・クラウンの違い（プロとアマ）安全についての認識、　
　　　　キャラクターになるということ、メイクで一目瞭然
　　　・クラウンの型　（実演あり）
　　　・クラウニングとは？欧米の映画やTVにみられる「実はこ
　　　　れって、クラウニング」というシーンの紹介
　　　・観客を笑わせる＆リラックスさせるコツ
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　注：内容の一部変更の可能性有
 

ワクワクする内容です。こんな講座は多賀あさひやだけ。おやつタイムでは、多賀あさひやの白玉ぜんざいが無料で提供されます。晩秋の夕暮れ、頭をリラックスさせ、白玉ぜんざいで温まってください。

参加申し込みは、多賀あさひやまで（0749-48-0186）

Here are more details about the Talk by Rone & Gigi.

Rone & Gigi who are the top artists in the clown world will respond to our question about what clown is and show us what is like. I think the most important thing to us who are living with much stress and anxiety, is to have a flexible thinking and a sense of humor.

Following are programs of the Clown Talk.

First half: 

* What is the meaning of Clownish?
* Talk about a sense of humor which is originally from Western countries.
* Clown culture which is now spreading in Asia.
* the way of living which you will learn from Clown.

 <coffee break>

Second half 

* The things you need to become a professional clown. Daily training, etc.
* The difference between Professional clown and amateur clown. Recognition about the safety
clowning.
* The importance of creating one's own character. Clown makeup shows it.
* The basic forms of clown. (demonstrate some forms.)
* What is a clowning ? Western actors and actresses know what a clown is and sometimes show it in
their TV or movie. You will be introduced to that scene.
* Technique of the way to make people laugh or relax.

What exciting content in the talk! This kind of talk will be held only at Taga Asahiya.　In the break time, you will be served free Asahiya Shiratama Zenzai (Azuki bean sweet soup).　Get into a more relaxed mindset by the clown talk and warm yourself with the Siratama Zenzai!

１０月２９日（日曜日）２０２３

    １１日（土）１７時〜のクラウン講座のおやつタイムには多賀あさひやの白玉ぜんざいを無料でお出ししま〜す。　お申し込みはお急ぎください！（０７４９−４８−０１８６）

    Clown Talk will be held on Saturday, November 11th at 5 p.m. and we will serve FREE Shiratama Zenzai (sweet Azuki bean soup) to the participants. Please hurry to reserve your seat! (0749-48-0186)

 

１０月２８日（土曜日）２０２３

    １１月１１日（土）１３時〜 多賀あさひやでのビッグイヤーズショー！ どこよりも観客に一番近いところでロネとジージがクラウンの面白い技を見せてくれるよ。ワクワクします。

    The Big Ears Show at Taga Asahiya is on Saturday, November 11th! You will see the show right in front of you and Rone & Gigi will show their many funny clownings to you. Can't wait because it's too exciting!

１０月２８日（土曜日）２０２３

    ロネとジージのクラウンライブ「ライフ・イズ・カーニバル」の中で観客も座ったままで参加できるダンスです。え〜っ？無理！ムズカシイ.....分からへ〜ん！　恥ずかしい〜！！.......な〜んて思ってませんか？　大丈夫ジージとおんなじようにできなくても心配いりません。自分の動きでいいんです。ちょっと体を音楽に合わせて動かしてみる。案外見てるだけ、よりず〜っと楽しいですよ！！

    This is a dance in the Clown Live Show by Rone & Gigi which you can do from your seat. You might think "Oh no! It is too difficult for me. I don't know how to dance. I haven't done such a thing before and am embarrassed about it." Don't worry! It's ok. Just do your own movement. Try to sway along with the music. It's more fun than just watching.

１０月２６日（木曜日）２０２３

    クラウン・ロネ＆ジージの２つのショーと講座がいよいよ迫ってきました！

    ビッグイヤーズショーは多賀あさひやならではのスペシャル版とのことです。ロネとジージと一緒に写真を撮ったり、お話ししたり.....、他のどの会場より間近でショーが観られるのはすごい！

    クラウン講座は他ではまず機会がないでしょう。３０年以上プロの道化師修行を積んできたロネとジージが皆さんの「クラウンって何？」の疑問に応えてくれます。日本と欧米の笑いの違いを知ることで、普段思い悩んでいる自分が違った見方ができるようになり気持ちがふぅ〜と楽になるキッカケになります。クラウンって深いんだなぁって思うでしょう。講座は１２０分。途中のおやつタイムには多賀あさひや特製の「白玉ぜんざい」を無料でお出しします。こちらも楽しんでください。

    １２日のクラウン・ライブは世界のロネ＆ジージが初めて日本に持ち込んだタイプのライブです。よくもこんなことができるのかとその巧みなクラウンの技と絶妙な笑いの妙技に観客の頬の筋肉は緩むこと間違いなし。

    ビッグイヤーズもクラウン・ライブもどちらも観劇後に質問もできるスペシャルトークが付きます。

https://roneandgigi.com/asahiya2023/6187/?fbclid=IwAR0odjjoG8939dkbI7l1dCd61FopQARW5bhU2W5H0B8KLSnfUhmItHzsU00

    Two Clown Shows by Rone & Gigi and their Talk Show will be coming soon.

    The Big Ear's Show will be a special version for the guests at Taga Asahiya with opportunities such as taking photos with R & G after the show, talking with R & G. Also, you will see R & G in the show just in front of you!

    The talk show will be very special because you might not have this occasion very often in other places. Rone and Gigi, who have over a thirty year-long career as a professional clown duo, will talk about "what clown is " which probably many people are wondering about. Knowing the difference between Western laughter and Japanese laughter, you will grasp the idea of Western thinking and it may release you from the pressure or stress in daily life. You will realize that Clown is philosophical and necessary for our life. It will be about two hours and have coffee time in between. We will serve free "Shiratama Zenzai" to the participants. Hope you will enjoy this Japanese sweet as well as the talk.

    As for Clown Live on 12th, it will be a new style which Rone & Gigi created. They will show us their skillful technique of clowning and laughter. There is no doubt that you will fall down laughing at their show.

１０月１７日（火曜日）２０２３

    いつの間にか季節は秋の只中です。店頭にも柿、栗、ミカンが並んでいます。

　さて、１１月の多賀あさひやはクラウン・ロネとジージの公演と講座で盛り上がります。今年のロネジジはいつもの青山でのライブや木曽でのクラウンキャンプの他に神保町にあるブックハウス・ひふみ座で複数回の公演、インドで開かれた国際クラウンフェスティバルに３週間の出演、そして９月の朝日新聞にロネジジが大きく紹介されたことで一気に注目の的となり東京と京都のライブはあっというまに満席、追加公演もキャンセル待ちとの嬉しい状況でロネとジージのブレイクの年となりました。

　この二人、実はクラウン一筋の長〜い地道な歩みがあってのことで、彗星のように出てきたワケではないのです。日本に漫才、落語、狂言などの伝統的な笑いの文化があるように、欧米にもクラウンという笑いの文化があります。このクラウンで数々の世界的な賞を勝ち取った日本人のロネとジージが今年も多賀あさひやにやってきます。クラウン講座ではインドから帰ったばかりのロネジジからホットなお土産話も聞かせてもらえるかなと個人的には楽しみにしています。

　古民家でのロネジジ公演はライブハウスや大きなホールとは違って皆さまのすぐ前で数々のクラウンの技や歌やダンスが観られます。

　皆様のお申し込みをお待ちしています。（0749-48-0186　多賀あさひや）

    It turned to autumn before I knew it. We see autumn fruits such as chestnut, persimmon and tangerine orange.

    Now, November is an exciting month of clown Rone & Gigi's performances and talk at Taga Asahiya. This year became very busy for Rone & Gigi, because they had regular live performances at Tokyo and organized Clown Camp at Kiso in Nagano. In addition, they had more performances at the theatre of bookhouse in Tokyo, and were invited to the International Clown Festival in India to have clown performances with other award winning clowns from other countries. Rone and Gigi were also introduced widely as a "Front Runner" on the national popular newspaper. This newspaper article and photos got many people's attention and with this impact, the seats of R&G's live show were all sold out instantly! Therefore, I think this year was a break year for Rone & Gigi.

    Rone & Gigi had been walking a long and hard clown road. In Japan, we have traditional laughter such as Rakugo, Manzai and Kyogen, and Clown is a Western laughter culture. Although Clown is not very popular in Japan yet, Rone & Gigi got first or second place in the international Clown Contest in the past and I am very proud of them.

    Rone & Gigi will be coming to Taga again and give clown performances and a talk. I am looking forward to hearing about the experience in the Clown Festival in India at their clown talk. The Clown Show at my Japanese house will be very different from the stage in the big hall or live house in terms of the light effect and small number of staff, but you will watch their skilled clowning, songs and dances just in front of you.

    Please make a reservation for their performance!

 

１０月１５日（日曜日）２０２３

    １０日間の横田順（すなお）墨画展が終了しました。私たちは「墨」＝「黒」を普通にイメージしていますが、墨がこれほど幅広く色を放ち、心の在り方を表現する手段となるか、横田さんの数々の書や墨画を前に圧倒され驚くばかりでした。展示会に来てくださり、ゆっくりと作品を観ていただいた皆様、ありがとうございました。

    さて最終日の今日、お客様から秋の贈り物をいただきました。栗の渋皮煮です。皆様がお帰りになって中を見せていただくと、お洒落な器に立派な栗が５つも入っていました。もちろん時間をかけてのお手作りです。早速、頂戴してみると、まあ柔らかくてその美味しさといったらありません！贅沢に秋と一緒に最高のお菓子を味わせていただきました。

    Ten days of Sunao Yokota's Sumi-ink painting exhibition is over. We usually simply imagine that Sumi-ink equals black, but it is not true. We know Sumi-ink has a wide range of colors and expresses the state of one's mind. I was overwhelmed by Yokota's power of expression through her paintings and calligraphy. I am thankful for many guests who came to the exhibition and appreciated her works.

    Well, today I received a wonderful fall gift from one of the guests. It was a beautiful box of handmaid Japanese Malone Glace. There were five giant chestnuts in the box. When I ate one of them, the taste and texture were superb! I was so happy to appreciate this wonderful fall sweet.

１０月７日（土曜日）２０２３

　横田順・墨画展が６日から始まっています。２年ぶりの展示会で、新しく描かれた作品のほかに、かつて京都などで展示されたけれどその時一度だけの作品が眠っているようで、それを是非もう一度私たちにも見せていただきたいとお願いして今回はかつての墨画や書も少し展示されています。　

    横田さんの言葉に対する執着は私などにはとても近づけない強烈なものを感じます。「言葉の視えない力を視えるものに変えたい」と以前発刊された書の作品集の冒頭の一部に自身で書いています。横田さんはその後、文字を表現する書家から言葉を超えて更に抽象的な墨画へと作品が移行して現在に至りますが、「視えない力を視えるものに」という横田さんの意欲と思想は一貫して作品に描かれています。
　
　中原中也、太宰治、宮沢賢治、有島武郎、ドストエフスキー、ニーチェなどの詩や表現の一部が横田順の全身を通って現れ出た作品。私たちにも辛うじて読めるもの、抽象化されて文字であることが全くわからなくなったもの、墨だけの表現になってしまったもの。横田さんが何を表そうとしたかを探ることは横田さんでない限り無理だと思います。ただ、作品に共感、興味、あるいは自分の感情が動くものがあるかどうか、それを見つけに展示会に来ていただければありがたいと思っています。
　
　私どもの古民家が横田順の揺るがない世界に調和しているなら嬉しい限りです。（展示会は１５日まで） 

    Sunao Yokota's Sumi-ink painting exhibition started on Oct. 6th. It has been two years since the last exhibition of hers at Taga Asahiya. This exhibition features some works which had appeared at the gallery in Kyoto and other places before but they appeared only one time and not exhibited since then, so I wanted to appreciate them one more time. So some of them are exhibited now in addition to the new works.    

    Yokota is semantic about "word" and her attachment to it is much stronger than common people like me. She said in her calligraphy book that she wishes to express language, which is invisible, into something visible in her own way. Yokota, however, wanted to express more beyond the "word " and she created more abstract works by sumi-ink later.    

    Yokota's calligraphy works are based on poems or novels of Chuya Nakahara, Osamu Dazai, Kenji Miyazawa, Takeo Arishima, Dostoevsky and Nietzsche that she picked. Some works are barely readable or unreadable because they are too abstract, and others are expressed by sumi-ink paintings. You might wonder how you can appreciate her works. I hope you will come to find some work of hers which you relate to, are interested in, or are moved by.

    I would be grateful if my old Japanese house is suitable for Yokota's paintings and helps express her long-standing, secure belief.