I’m not sure if Dan was planning on posting this now, but I can’t resist. Needless to say, my heart was warmed during my morning perusal of Facebook when I saw this.
I believe this is the first time Masahiro has met any Bachido members (other than Kevin, Grant, Anne or I), so I’m sure it was a fabulous experience for all! 
Wooooot!
Notice that awesome shirt he’s rocking?
Awww yeah.
I hope to see many more of these photos in the future!
The Nitta family was very hospitable and friendly, and we had a wonderful visit. I learned some things I could have done better on my two shamisens, and several adjustments to make. Masahiro and his father Hiroshi were very gracious in both their compliments and their criticisms, and we had a number of good laughs together. Our family is blessed for the opportunity to share this rich experience!
Thanks, Kyle, for posting the pic. Thanks, also for your help to initiate our visit (my daughter Celia, who lives in Sapporo, worked out the details over the phone, in Japanese).
And yes, I was very jealous of Masahiro’s Bachido shirt! Perhaps for those who prefer wearing kimonos you should offer a Bachido obi.
There are several other shamisen-related photos in my “2012 Japan” Facebook album, but you’ll have to wade through the other “tourist” pics.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474896089200463.103350.100000402275864&type=1&l=145c8879d7
The construction pics for both my “Abbott School” instruments is in this “Shamisen” Facebook album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232311823458892.57576.100000402275864&type=1&l=e1c40f4a65
Here’s a video of Masahiro trying out shamisen #2, “the Fair Rose”. Shamisen #1, “Sam the Sham” is on the floor.
Kyle, thanks for the introduction! We had a great time.
It was good to see Tsugaru Shamisen played up close for the first time–I heard what it was supposed to sound like, and learned, among other things, that I can hit a lot harder (sorry, not sure what the proper lingo is in English) than I have been. My teacher plays Hauta, so her style tends to be, shall we say, much more polite.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we went to the Nitta family’s home; I thought maybe they would be very strict, like other people practicing traditional arts. I was immediately put at ease; Masahiro and his parents were friendly and warm. Maybe they would be stricter were I to become their student.
Please visit us if you are in Sapporo! Right now we are living about 10 minutes away from the Nitta family.
The Nitta family was very hospitable and friendly, and we had a wonderful visit. I learned some things I could have done better on my two shamisens, and several adjustments to make. Masahiro and his father Hiroshi were very gracious in both their compliments and their criticisms, and we had a number of good laughs together. Our family is blessed for the opportunity to share this rich experience!
Thanks, Kyle, for posting the pic. Thanks, also for your help to initiate our visit (my daughter Celia, who lives in Sapporo, worked out the details over the phone, in Japanese).
And yes, I was very jealous of Masahiro’s Bachido shirt! Perhaps for those who prefer wearing kimonos you should offer a Bachido obi.
There are several other shamisen-related photos in my “2012 Japan” Facebook album, but you’ll have to wade through the other “tourist” pics.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474896089200463.103350.100000402275864&type=1&l=145c8879d7
The construction pics for both my “Abbott School” instruments is in this “Shamisen” Facebook album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232311823458892.57576.100000402275864&type=1&l=e1c40f4a65
Woot!
Nice idea!! Bachido obi.
This is really nice!