Umebachi

No, they are totally different. Yugen is written 幽玄 Here again is the link in English which provides a good introductory explanation. But it's worth exploring the use of the term in different contexts. I think the term captures very well the aesthetics of Hanyu-senshu's programs, especially Hope & Legacy and Origin. https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/12/13/yugen-幽玄-deep-awareness-of-the-universe/

More on Yugen - because the term really captures the essence of what Hanyu is trying to convey through his performance of Hope & Legacy and Origin - from the same website on Yugen quoted above. "Japanese aesthetic ideals are most heavily influenced by Japanese Buddhism. In the Buddhist tradition, all things are considered as either evolving from or dissolving into nothingness. This “nothingness” is not empty space. It is rather a space of potentiality. If the seas represent potential then each thing is like a wave arising from it and returning to it. There are no permanent waves. There are no perfect waves. At no point is a wave complete, even at its peak."

This is a remarkable (and very long) essay by someone who is familiar with Noh, and she makes many references to Noh terms that will require an expertise in this art form in order to do justice to interpret. (The twitter OP Elanvital is making an effort to read up on Noh techniques - and I am hoping she will eventually be able to do the translation.) The title of the essay is: 鬼たちに捧ぐ　　羽生結弦に幽玄を見た日 A tribute to the demons: the day I perceived "Yugen" in Hanyu Yuzuru Yugen 幽玄 refers to the Japanese aesthetics of the deep awareness of universe. Here is a link that explains the term more fully: https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/12/13/yugen-幽玄-deep-awareness-of-the-universe/ Some of the key paragraphs offer deeply insightful interpretation of "Origin" - from a uniquely Noh perspective. Here is just a taste: the essay makes reference to Origin as having 序破急 - Jo-ha-kyu - a Noh term of for "a concept of modulation and movement applied in a wide variety of traditional Japanese arts. Roughly translated to "beginning, break, rapid", it essentially means that all actions or efforts should begin slowly, speed up, and then end swiftly" (from Wikipedia). There is no clear cut break from one movement to the next and one is not aware of when one movement transitions from one to the other seamlessly. 嫋嫋(じょうじょう)と波紋のように空中に放たれる律動は音楽や観客のどよめきをからめとり、共鳴し、膨張し、止めどなく広がってアリーナの大空間に充満する。 The sentence is poetic and difficult to translate - but the basic meaning is as follows: The elastic rhythm (of the performance/music) that is released and ripples through the air entwines with the roar of the audience and echoes and expands to fill the large space of the arena. The essay captures the organic and complex nature of Hanyu's performance, and how he captures the essense of Noh performance that breathes in and out like nature. There is a lot more and I hope Elanvital or someone else more used to translating Noh terms could make an effort!

Yes, komorebi is one of my favorite terms. Also 森林浴 Shinrin-Yoku - deep forest bathing - which is delving into the heart of nature. Hope & Legacy weaves in and out like Komorebi as we lose ourselves through Shinrin-yoku.

Yes, there is no single word to describe that term. The first character is used to describe a fairy or an ethereal being, and "en" is used to describe a "glow" - like the emotional glow of love. Bewitching or perhaps "be-fairy-ing" would be closer: the term literally means "ethereal glow". I also love the way the calligrapher carefully selected Yuzu's Origin poses that reflect the structure /form of each of the two characters. The photo on the top has him spreading his arms like the radical on the right side of the character 妖 (天 which denotes heaven/sky). The second photo shows his arm making the upward curve of the radical on the right side of the character 艶 (色 which denotes colour). Hence, the characters include the radicals heavenly colours - which gives a sense of the celestial glow inferred by the term yo-en.... Modern calligraphy in Japan is evolving to new heights of artistry and multi-dimensional aesthetics. I attach below a couple of photos I took from an exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno from last year. The first character is "light" by Suzuki Kyosen - he makes the characters dance with light; The second photo is a huge calligraphy entitled "aurora" but looked like a giant red rose - at least 3 meters across and in height! By Chiba Sogen. They were spectacular and moving because they convey simultaneously the abstract meaning behind the character and the visual impact of the lines and colour. (Photos taken by me)

When the wild merges with "baby", we get "bewitching" 妖艶 (yo-en) - from the fanyu calligrapher kohoshodo

Hi I just sent a donation of Eur50 to [email protected]. I hope it has reached you. Thank you for managing this Forum so well, and for keeping it friendly and safe!

Agree! I would also like to see him perform the White Legend with the depth of artistry that he now possesses. I love the choreography but in Sochi he was still in his noodly stage of development. After training with NS, his swanyu energy could add so much more dynamism into this piece.

Thank you! You can see how much his expressive movements and extensions have improved over the years. Not to take away from his PC Olympic performance - which was iconic on many levels - but I think his performance of Origin at SCI 2019 revealed just how much better and stronger he has become this past year. His extension from the shoulders and arms to the tips of his fingers has become more open, and his carriage is strong and no longer noodly like in his younger days. As I have said before, his best days as a performer/artist, as well as a competitor, is yet to come! PS: And I fully appreciate your keeping the triple at the end of the step sequences for H&L and Origin. They are an integral part of the choreography and flow naturally together. It would be a sin to cut them off!

From a calligrapher (Shodo) - who chose the word "Yakushin" for Hanyu-senshu. The word means a breakthrough/remarkable progress. The character has a feather component in the first character and the OP was inspired by that reference. Wishing from the bottom of his heart for Hanyu-senshu to continue in 2020 on his remarkable journey/road in pursuit of graceful beauty and progress, and for good health and fortune. May 2020 be fruitful and deeply fulfilling year!

To all the PH Satellites and families, 新年明けましておめでとうございます。 Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year 2020!! It is still 2019 in British Columbia but back home in Japan it is already 2020. I miss the special atmosphere surround the New Year's in Japan, especially the deep sound of the Buddhist bells, so I attach the YT video of the bells being struck in Chion-in, Kyoto - just a few minutes ago. I have been taught that the resonant sound of the bell is meant to make us reflect and relinquish our thoughts and actions from the past year and to open our spirits to the here and now. My uncle was a Zen priest of the Soto-sect, and his words still resonate in my heart... May this sound spread to all the satellites on this Planet and beyond, and let our young man grow in wisdom.

Dear fellow Satellites, A very Merry Xmas, Kwanza, Hannuka and all other forms of spiritual moments! Thank you for the many happy memories this year, and for your uplifting company, during good times and bad. I am still in mourning for the passing of the loved one, but the Planet has helped me feel connected and part of a loving community. I leave with you (a poor quality) video of the joyous moment from SCI Kelowna, which will stay with me forever... Wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year!

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays! See you all again at another Yuzucon!

Please NO! Well, this is a matter of one's personal taste and not meant to be critical of other people's preferences. But I have a deep love and admiration for Iranian art and music, and conversely have a strong distaste for Hollywood trashification of the Iranian culture into some generic Western hero flick. I hope he never performs to a Hollywood soundtrack of these types of movies. Since he seems to study carefully the origins of the music he performs, I assume we are in safe hands. A different (somewhat related) thought: "AThousand and One Nights (Alf Leila' wa' Leil)" is an epic drama that is moving, frightening and raw (I mean X-rated raw). If one day Yuzu wants to do some interpretation of that story, then I hope he avoids the Lotte style cartoonesque Aladdin costume and will dig deeper into the original story.

Sharing the Japanese TV segment (from Going with Miyaneya) shared by OP @kionmama6779 which shows the three Olympic athletes Daiya Seto (swimmer), Kohei Uchimura (gymnastics) and Yuzuru Hanyu speaking about their respect for each other. Seto picked up the earphone bug from Hanyu>> Hanyu sends his support to Uchimura (he empathizes with the gymnast struggling with his injuries but knows he will come back strong)>> and Uchimura sends his respect back to Seto... thus closing the circle of mutual respect.

I appreciate the analysis by professional ballet dancers!

Thank you for sharing! I did go through the paper - very interesting - and found these stick figures to be very helpful. I wonder how one would draw the take off for 4A, as the position for 3A already seems to be at the maximum extension of the take-off foot/ankle! Source: Pol. J. Sport Tourism 2018, 25, 3-9 DOI: 10.2478/pjst-2018-0007

HANYUCONOMY REPORT A new ice rink is opening in Oita prefecture - thanks to Yuzu's suggestion after his performance there post-Sochi Olympics (2014). This was reported a few days ago on sponichi and I was waiting for someone to do the translation... perhaps it was already reported but I think it's worth repeating. OP SAY-KA reports that Oita City is in the process of converting one of the main sports centers into a permanent ice rink for both public use and for special training of competitive skaters. The prefecture is famous for its natural hot springs, and when Yuzu and Akiko Suzuki visited the city for the post-Sochi ice show in June 2014, they had requested the mayor to consider building a permanent rink. Yuzu had noticed that skaters from Oita prefecture had to travel a couple of hours to the nearest rink in the neighboring prefecture. Oita city used to have an ice rink until the 90s but had closed it down due to the declining interest in skating. The officials had noticed the recent rise in the popularity of figure skating, especially due to Hanyu-senshu, and decided to open a permanent rink. They expect to make profit from the skating public, as well as offer high quality training centre for competing athletes (with natural hot spring for relaxation!). The second link is from the local TV news in 2014 showing Yuzu visiting both Oita prefecture office and Beppu municipal office to make the request for a new rink. After 5 years, his request is turning into reality! Someday we might see top competitors emerging from the warm, semi-tropical prefecture of Oita! Who would have thought... (well, at least for me, it breaks down the image I had of this southern prefecture). FYI: The capital of Oita Prefecture is Oita city, and the city adjacent to it is Beppu city - which is famous as the onsen with the highest volume of hot water, boasting 8 separate sources of hot natural springs.

Wow, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the video. Yes, it's all the attention to details that makes the craft into art, in whatever medium we work with. Yuzu's programs have depth, and I think he is only just now beginning to find his voice (to mix up metaphors!).

一隅を照らす。これ則ち国宝なり。最澄. (ichi-guuwo terasu. koresunawachi kokuhounari. Saicho) "Shining a light in one corner. This is indeed a national treasure." A quote from the writings of the Buddhist monk Saicho. In Japan and across the world, we are mourning the passing of Dr. Nakamura who dedicated for more than 30 years of his life in Afghanistan - to serve the people and the community there. He was truly a hero a man of deep compassion and humility, who dedicated his life for the people of Afghanistan. His favorite saying was 一隅を照らす - which aptly describes the actions of this humble man, whose courageous efforts gave so much hope to the communities he served. His actions even brought back former fighers from the battlefield to take part in rebuilding the land and creating a new life for their children. He did not try to take part in big World Bank conferences to trumpet how much money he collected or how many wells he had dug. Instead he kept his head down and worked alongside the people, and through his modest actions he spread compassion and generosity in a community that had been devastated by decades of war and brutal violence. Taking care of the small things immediately around you and shining a tiny bit of light in the small corner of our world - this is how we can spread the circle of compassion. For me, Yuzu's greatest asset is not his amazing athleticism or artistic talent but his adherence to 一隅照: he has continued to pay attention to those immediately around him and give kindness and compassion no matter what he is going through, and as he is maturing these values appear to be growing stronger within him. Of course, he loves to be the centre of attention as a skater and a performer, but his acts of generosity are carried out behind the scenes, outside of the glare of media and fandom - even paying attention to the needs of the media when they badger him and showing no resentment or irritation but instead showing generosity by answering their questions with respect and care, even the unpleasant ones; or giving kind words to Alina after the galal, or by extending friendship to an autistic child in his class who was feeling ostracized by others... I was a very spoiled and egostistical child and he puts me to shame when I reflect on my own selfish actions. His actions motivate me to strive to be more understanding and compassionate towards the feelings of those around me, and not be swept in by the storm of hatred swirling around us in this tempestuous world. Dr. Nakamura was and will continue to be a great role model, truly a national treasure. I can only wish Yuzu to carry that light forward...

My Iranian friend sent me this video which examines the camerawork and overall direction by Akira Kurosawa. The level of detailed attention to all the different aspects of movie-making - from movements of individuals and groups to the use of nature as an integral part of the composition. This reminded me of the pathway taken by Hanyu-senshu in continuing to refine every movement in his performance and embue it with emotional content through absolute technical control supporting his natural artistic flair. I found it particularly instructive to see the comparison of Kurosawa's filming technique with the scene from a recent Avengers film (don't know which - I don't watch them). Despite the megamillion production facility, the supposedly dramatic scene appears wooden and clumsy, with unimaginative camerawork showing no understanding of how to create emotional connection with the audience. A familiar feeling: fancy technique over artistry, masquerading as a masterpiece. @Henni147 Since you have been doing great video production - I would love to hear your views!

It's by a famous Japanese artist from mid-Edo era named Ito Jakuchu 伊藤若冲 Title of the painting is Old Pine and White Phoenix 老松白鳳凰 I went to his exhibit in the National Museum in Ueno this summer and saw this amazing print - it was moving and inspiring! So it makes me wonder: 羽生選手はもう白鳥より白鳳凰に変身しようとしてるのかな？　Is Hanyu-senshu in the process of transforming from a swan into a white Phoenix? The flame is burning brightly, intensely...

Yes, we are all connected in this lifestream - and Yuzu's fragile brilliance helps to light up our links, our Kizuna 絆. Thank you for sharing with your husband!!