Misaki at Zenkoji
北信の初詣スポットは善光寺さんが一番人気があるかもしれません。2日に子供を連れて、電車で行ってみました。雪が降っていたにかかわらず、お参りの方が多くて、うちには着物の姿も見ました。
電車で行ったので、長野駅前のデパート「MIDORI」で開催された木島平村の女子学生太鼓「鬼島太鼓」を見れました。
正直って、私は色んな太鼓を見る経験がある。
無料でシアトルのアマチュアグループから有料（かなり良い料金）で佐渡島からの世界プロレベルの鼓童まで。
今回の鬼島太鼓が今まで見た太鼓の中で一番感激。
鬼島太鼓のメンバーは女子だけで、学生だけ。高校を卒業したら引退。全国的なコンテストにも参加し、年一度は海外で演奏するらしい。
今回の演奏、MIDORIの前で、女子小学生5人で行われました。
雪の中でした。
歌は次から次へ、休まないで、凄い気合いで。
寝って打つ、飛んで打つ、踊って打つ、騒いで打つ。
男のテストステロンではなくて、小学生の女の子の生の力。
雪の中やで！
内の4歳の美咲ちゃんも感動して、興奮して、亀清に戻ってロビーにある太鼓をずっと打ちっぱなし。
木島平は悪い意味全くなくて、田舎です。田舎で女の子の「元気」を生かせるルートはあまりないかもしれない。その田舎から地元の女子に太鼓を通じて、世界を目指すと言うのは、感激。偉い！そのメンバーは大人になって、絶対に成功すると思う。
鬼島太鼓の今年の「春一コンサート」は何と戸倉上山田温泉の隣の坂城町で開催される。3月24日（土）2時から。
Here in northern Nagano, the most popular temple / shrine to visit for New Years is the esteemed Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City. On the 2nd, I took our kids to pay our respects. Despite the snowy conditions, there was a healthy throng of visitors to the temple, including a few brave ladies wearing kimonos.
We took the train to Nagano City and were treated to a taiko performance that was being held in front of the MIDORI department store next to Nagano Station.
To be honest, I've seen my fair share of taiko performances over the years. Everything from amateur groups for free in Seattle, to the world-class Kodo pro group from Sado Island (certainly not for free). But never before have I been so overwhelmingly amazed as with this group that performed, Kijima Taiko from the Kijimadaira Village, northeast of Nagano City.
Kijima Taiko is made up of only girls, and only of school age. Once the member graduate highschool, they automatically 'retire' from the group. Not only do they participate in nationwide contests, but they also perform overseas once a year.
5 girls of their elementary school division performed today.
With snow falling around, they banged away on the taiko drums while laying down, while jumping, while dancing, while shouting,
from one song to the next with absolutely no rest in between,
It wasn't a testosterone-filled show of strength, it was simply raw girl-energy.
All the while with snow falling around!
It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Our 4 year old Misaki was so impressed, when we got back to Kamesei she excitedly played the taiko drums in our lobby for what seemed like endlessly.
Girls growing up in the countryside likely don't have much opportunity to excel and put their energy to use in such a way that it puts them on the world stage. I applaud Kijima Taiko for giving these girls this opportunity. I am sure the members take this experience with them and put it to use succeeding in their adult lives.
Every year Kijima Taiko performs a spring concert, and this year it will take place in Sakaki, next to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. It will be on Saturday March 24th, and I am so looking forward to seeing it!
Feel the girl power -- Kijima Taiko
