Latest news with #Shakuhachi
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Zen of tea meets aikido
Franciscus (left) conducting the grading session for aikido students in George Town. Aikido exponents from the Mushinkan Academy in George Town had their grading witnessed by the consul-general of Japan in Penang, Shinya Machida. 'Aikido is one of Japan's most unique and important martial arts and I'm pleased to see locals and other expatriates here fully embracing its spirit,' said Machida. After all the rough and tumble, the atmosphere in the dojo hall (where martial arts is practised) turned serene for a traditional Japanese ochado or tea ceremony attended by dojo master Franciscus Nithya Natham who led the grading session. The ceremony was led by tea master Yuki Kawashita of Tamafuku Cafe, a Japanese eatery located in Tanjung Tokong. He was assisted by Etsuko Tanaka from the Urasenke Tea Club, which is part of the Penang Japanese Association. Kawashita meticulously cleaned utensils and prepared tea for Machida and Franciscus in an elaborate ritual. As was customary, the two 'guests' rotated their bowls before taking sips. Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) master Andrew MacGregor provided musical accompaniment. (From left) Machida and Franciscus during the tea ceremony while MacGregor (in the background) plays the Japanese flute. The event was organised by the academy and HanaBana Hobbies, a community- centred hub focusing on Japanese cultural events and programmes. Its public relations representative Kevin Hans Samuel said the aim was to bring everyone together in a celebration of Japanese tradition and the values of discipline, harmony and self-improvement. Many Malaysians have also taken up martial arts like aikido, which is not only for self-defence but can also help with personal growth, body control, and mental resilience. Its philosophy of neutralising conflict by redirecting an attacker's momentum can teach one how to navigate challenges with wit and fortitude. Several aikido exponents gained a better grasp of that after passing the grading session by Franciscus. He ran the rule over their throws, locks and strikes while also offering advice. 'Don't worry about perfection, because perfection comes when one is sincere,' he told the cohort, some of whom are aiming to go to Japan in 2026 to obtain the shodan (black belt) rank.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Performers audition for MTA music program
NEW YORK (PIX11) — The commute can be loud and irritating. A melody can change the tempo of the train. Listen to the music under New York. More Local News The MTA's official program is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. It's a part of the agency's art and design office. Wednesday at Grand Central Madison, more than 50 artists auditioned for a panel of judges. They were selected from acts that submitted demos for the open call. Marquis Sayles plays the saxophone. 'When the riders stop, if they stop. You have something special,' he said. Yut Chia is a violinist, subway performer, and judge. 'I could be in the subway, a big hall, or a stadium. It's all the same to me. It could be one person. I'll put in the same energy and passion for the music,' Chia said. The selected artists will be assigned space at transit hubs for special performances. The program is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Declan and Erik are a band known as Cupid's Nemesis. 'The train passes, and we sing as loud as we can. You can hear yourself all the way down the tunnel,' they said. MTA Arts & Design says the artists are judged on 'quality, appropriateness for the transit environment, and musical variety with the goal of increasing the number of genres represented in the program.' Azusa SHESHE Dance is serving as a judge. She's also an artist. 'The subway trains will drown you out. You have to be comfortable, passionate, have fun, and have a good time,' she said. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State New members will be announced in June. 'Under the banner of the MTA's MUSIC program, performers of all stripes bring beauty and joy to millions of subway commuters and visitors,' said MTA Arts & Design Interim Director Juliette Michaelson. Buskers are permitted to perform in the system. The MTA's rules say they cannot block pathways or block access to the trains. Individuals and groups participated this year with styles that include singer/songwriters, jazz, folk/country, pop, classical, opera, R&B/funk, tango/waltz, one-woman band, and Renaissance/Baroque. You'll be hearing the saxophone, guitar, trumpet, accordion, clarinet, cello, violin, Japanese Shakuhachi, Koto, Venezuelan cuatro, South American flute and pan flute, and hand pan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Fallen fashion guru reveals her double family heartbreak while she was facing trial in Bali over her feral spray about her 'stolen cat'
A former Aussie fashion designer facing months in a Bali jail over a row about her cat has revealed she missed the funerals of both her parents who died while she was awaiting trial. Jessica White, 50, was given a two month prison sentence in February after she was found her guilty of 'intentionally attacking the honour or good name' of two Balinese vets. White was filmed abusing medical staff at Bali Veterinary Clinic in Bandung when they refused to give her cat Rocket back after treating it for an infection. Denpasar District Court found that White hadn't paid the bill and that she had unfairly accused the vet of trying to steal her pet in March, 2024. White, founder of the collapsed Shakuhachi label, has been living on the holiday island since her business went bust and left a trail of debt. She appealed her jail term in Bali High Court, which on Monday reduced it to a five-month suspended sentence . White's lawyer Samuel Uruilal revealed his client had to deal with heartbreaking family tragedies while away from home. 'Her father and mother died during the trial process, but she was not able to leave Bali because of the case,' he said. White's sister has also been diagnosed with cancer, he revealed, but the former designer has yet to see her either as she was not allowed to leave the country during her trial. Mr Uruilal said the single mother-of-two was happy with the court's decision to spare her jail but remained adamant that she never did anything wrong. 'Jessica is happy with the decision, and for her, that's the right decision,' Mr Uruilal said. 'As a mother that has to care for two kids, she said she was happy she could escape jail, she will still be able to work to support her two kids, and she still can live in Bali. 'For her, she never did anything [wrong]. Nothing [was] broken because of her. She only wanted her right, her cat. She said, "Where is my cat?"' White will remain in Bali while on probation and has been ordered to be a 'good citizen' and 'behave appropriately'. Mr Uruilal said White described Bali as her 'second paradise' and has no plans to live in Australia. 'She said to me she will live in Bali until she dies,' Mr Uruilal said. 'She has been here for a very long time, and she said she will not be going back to her country [to live].' White was accused of 'intentionally attacking the honour or good name' of two vets at the clinic, which claimed White had agreed to pay for her cat to stay there but then tried to pick up her pet without settling the bill. 'F*** you,' White allegedly told clinic owner Ni Made Restiati and a colleague when told she could not bring Rocket home. 'You give him away. You steal my cat. F***ing b***h.' Denpasar District Court heard those words were 'said loudly in a public area' and made both vets feel embarrassed. Prosecutor Putu Deneil Pradipta Intaran previously told a panel of judges to find White guilty and sentence her to three months in jail. Members of the Bali Veterinarian Association, who were present in court to hear the prosecutor's demand, said they had come to support their colleagues. Association president I Dewa Made Anom said he hoped the case against White would be a reminder 'for all people and also foreigners' to respect vets. White's lawyer read a statement on behalf of his client and said she admitted the charge but said a three-month jail sentence would be 'really burdensome'. Her lawyer requested White be placed on probation because she was 'the backbone of the family' and her children would have no-one to look after them. He added his client was 'open and honest' during the trial, had shown remorse in front of the judges and promised not to repeat her unruly behaviour. The court had previously heard White brought Rocket to the clinic on March 9 last year after he began suffering an infection to his tail and left leg. White was told Rocket would need to be admitted for treatment and was asked for a down payment of 1,500,000 rupiah - about $150. The court heard while White agreed to the fee, she was unable to pay at the time because her debit card was not working. The clinic nonetheless agreed to treat Rocket, who had been attacked by a dog, on condition that White signed an agreement obliging her to pay for the treatment. On March 16, a week after Rocket had been admitted, the clinic contacted White via WhatsApp to inform her they would be keeping her cat in their custody because she had not paid the bill. Ms White arrived at the clinic's reception desk several hours later and demanded Rocket be returned. Video obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed White yelling at staff and claiming she needed another day before she could pay up. 'I have to borrow the money,' she said in the video. 'I will give it to you tomorrow. Is it okay or not?' Told she could not leave with Rocket unless she paid, White said: 'So, what will you do with my cat? Okay, I'm taking him.' White then allegedly entered the intensive care unit and wards without permission, looking for Rocket. The video showed her walking the aisles while dogs barked, screaming, 'Where's my cat? You f***ing steal my cat?' Staff denied stealing Rocket as White began filming them on her phone. In a second video, White went on a further tirade and threatened to shut down the clinic by commencing a legal class action. 'I love my cat, not like you,' White shouted. 'You don't love animals. You give them away. 'You pretend to be carers of animals. You're not carers of animals. You're mean.' White, whose occupation on court papers is listed as 'investor', was charged with defamation, perpetrating a minor insult and trespassing. White ran the once-hugely successful Shakuhachi from Bali and has remained there since the company was placed under voluntary administration in May 2015. Shakuhachi - which was worn by celebrities including singers Lana Del Rey and Rihanna - crashed with debts totalling more than $1million.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Naruto: The Symphonic Experience' coming to Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A live orchestra concert featuring music from the anime 'Naruto' will be coming to the BJCC Concert Hall in March during its 2025 tour. According to its website, ''Naruto: The Symphonic Experience' is a live convert that brings the beloved anime to life on a grand scale.' The two-hour concert features a montage of scenes from over 220 episodes of the show, synchronized to a live orchestra playing composer Toshio Masuda's original score. The orchestra will also play the most famous opening and ending songs of the series, inviting the audience to sing along. Kami-Con guests discuss the convention experience The film and musical montage created for 'Naruto: The Symphonic Experience' was created exclusively for this performance. 'With Masuda's dynamic soundtrack, blending rock, pop, and traditional Japanese instruments like the Shakuhachi and Shamisen, the live music elevates each scene's impact, immersing the audience in Naruto's story,' the show's description states. Designed to appeal to old and new fans alike, 'Naruto: The Symphonic Experience' aims to celebrate the popular anime's story and music in a one-of-a-kind way. Tickets to the concert can be found on the BJCC's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
