KHAN LALAIN IQBAL

Echoes of Childhood: Reconnecting Through Sound and Art

All kids are very curious beings. Clanking toys together, dragging a stick across the railing, making make-shift instruments from anything and everything. This natural curiosity and carefree playfulness is something that most of us lose along the years. However on 2nd November we got to feel like children again. This day we were able to forget about the worries from our adult lives and just enjoy ourselves. As we made our way around Katasumi Town that day, the senseis introduced us to the world of sounds and music. 

Our day started with a workshop where we got to make our very own bamboo instruments. After we got to choose a bamboo of our choice that went through the process of sawing, drilling holes, making drumsticks and by the end we had an instrument capable of producing 2 different tonal sounds. These instruments became our best friends for the day where after a hearty 200 yen deer curry lunch, we went to an art exhibit where we engaged in an activity of producing free music. This was an extremely interesting activity where everyone, 20-30 people, grabbed a bamboo instrument and played it freely. At first it sounded just like a bunch of sounds, like loud noise however as the session continued suddenly we could hear music. From all that chaos, order had been created and the music kept evolving like patterns. After this fulfilling activity we went on a tour of the city where we were shown all the instruments that were interacting with nature and the city structures. While some instruments used the wind to create sound some of them involved us banging sticks and dropping stones to produce sounds. This was a magical feeling of discovering the wonder in everyday ordinary structures and simple musical instruments. 

Another highlight of the whole event was visiting the artist exhibitions at the Katasumi Festival. The most inspiring was of course Professor Watanabe’s exhibit! Going through her artworks I was amazed at the amount of work sensei had produced consistently. This showed me how art was an integral part of her daily life and that being an artist is ingrained in her very being. We even got badges with her art on it >< Second was an artist who had created unique mini sculptures using shells and other materials found at sea. Another was an artist who had created plushies from children’s drawings. I also bought 2 postcards of an artist who focused on depicting cats in Japanese traditional style. 

By the end of the day the teachers treated us to delicious karaage as we reflected on the day. Just 20 minutes before our train left we joined the locals in their traditional dances amongst the many festivities taking place. On my train ride back home I had an overwhelming feeling of fulfilment and I was happy that I came despite oversleeping in the morning.