wonderful dinner Japanese harp performance fun times with new friends

Monday I was invited over to a student's (N) house for dinner. She told me it was her Okoto (Japanese harp) teacher's birthday. They usually just celebrate birthdays together, but she wanted to invite me this time. Did I mention she is 72? And it was her teacher's 70th B-day? And that the Okoto teacher's husband is 73? Ah yes, they are in their 70's and SO fun!

I went over to N's house early to help her make dinner. Then she asked for my help getting dressed in her kimono. I didn't KNOW they were both going to be in their kimonos, and I felt distinctively under-dressed! haha. If you have never seen the process of getting into a kimono, it is QUITE the process - I was so impressed. She had asked for my help, but didn't really need me at all - she has it down to a science!

Before dinner, her Okoto teacher and her husband asked to perform for me. She plays the Okoto, and he plays a traditional type of flute. The piece was about Spring time and the tides coming in and out. I felt completely honored - next time N said she will play too. I guess they go around the world playing Okoto concerts (Italy, Sydney Opera House, San Fransisco, etc). They are completely amazing ladies.

Here is a terribly shot (and too short), but beautiful sounding clip of the Okoto teacher and her husband playing for N and I. :)

Dinner was wonderful, lots of different things to pick at, lots of wine and sake. N is a private lesson student of mine, and we just have free conversation to talk about anything we want. She knows I love cooking and has been teaching me about traditional Japanese foods. I love it.

Being the non-toaster-oven-user I am, I didn't even think about there being a "burner" on the top of the over and ended up burning the garlic bread - it was still tasty, but sigh, what a dumb impression to make. 

I also tried to channel my "Japanese spirit" and bought a little cake to take as a gift and birthday contribution. They seemed to like it. :) Turns out it was blueberry, but I had no idea. I just thought it looked nice.

All in all, I ended up being over there for about 6 or 7 hours, but it felt like no time at all. I taught them the term "kindred spirits" and they looked it up and thought I meant family. I had to explain that wasn't exactly what I was going for - but that I just loved being around them. :)