Ladies and gentlemen attending the International Shamisen Festival,
As many of us know, a Bachido-themed festival has been dreamed about since Bachido was started three years ago. We (especially I) was imagining a festival featuring workshops, demonstrations, and such a free flowing festival where people can wander around and meet others. Later on, the plan was changed a bit to feature a fun and open-style taikai. To have a workshop, Bachido taikai and Nitta Oyako concert.
Well, since coming to Japan, I found that Nitta san may have had a misunderstanding with the word “Festival” and somehow forgotten all the plans we originally had. Taking the Japanese meaning of the word ‘festival’, Nitta san has made basically a two hour concert. Opposite to what I had thought we mutually felt the festival should be.
We met yesterday and had a lot of discussion about it and managed to make some changes.
Long story short, the Bachido Taikai/Party will be held in Misawa on May 2nd @ 6pm at the auditorium near Kevin’s house! There will be no audience nor judging, just a intimate gathering among us to inspire each other. This will be great, as everyone who’s planning to go to the festival is also going to Misawa, so nobody will be missing out! 
Also, we will still hold a workshop in Sapporo right after the International Shamisen Festival (5pm). Kevin and I will be the main teachers, as well as Nitta san if he can. Entering the festival and the workshop are free for Bachido members, all we just need to do is split the cost of renting the room for the workshop - 2000 yen per person. The workshop will be held in the same location as the festival, so renting the space for two more hours will be much more convenient and safe if it’s cold or raining outside. Doable for two hour workshop!
Afterwards, there will still be the afterparty as previously planned!
One note about Team Bachido appearing at the festival. Nitta san asks if anyone would like to play Ninjari Ban Ban as well as Kita no Hibiki on stage? No pressure to join if you’d prefer not to.
My apologies for the sudden change. Admittedly I didn’t have much input on the festival planning, trusting that Nitta san had the same vision I did. Fortunately though, everything has been corrected so we will all get to enjoy a fun Bachido taikai/party in Misawa, and inspiring workshop and fantastic show in Sapporo!
Bachi on!
Kyle Abbott
