Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" Archives - Page 15 of 20

On History and Culture: On the 75th Anniversary of the First Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima.

Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

The phrase “history is written by the victors” rang in my ears during a recent conversation with a friend. He asserted that history, as a narrative, needed simplicity; and that its need for simplicity prohibited it from embracing all perspectives and that there will always be the voiceless. In reaction, I thought that may be one of the powers of culture, art and creativity was to give voice to the voiceless.

On History and Culture: On the 75th Anniversary of the First Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima. Read More »

Glass Half Full = a Matter of Perspective

Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

Now that I am live-streaming regularly, I am grateful. People from all over the world get to share the time of music appreciation together: Mexico, Japan, California, New York, Netherlands… I don’t know their life circumstances, but for that 30 minutes to an hour, we get to focus on the same thing – the beauty of music, and the joy of sharing that experience. Had this pandemic happened twenty years ago, none of this would have been possible. I am grateful for the computer, the internet, and social media…all the technology that allows me to share my music even under our current circumstance.

Glass Half Full = a Matter of Perspective Read More »

Music can Silence your Chattering Minds

Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

Our sound cognition is emotional, and primal, beyond reason, logic and words… We can take advantage of this mechanism when our mind is overdrive. Listen to music with your full attention. You can silence the chatter in your mind.

Music can Silence your Chattering Minds Read More »

Music = Time and Space to Feel your Feelings

Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

It seems to me that there are emotions that are socially acceptable and emotions that are not. For example, it is socially encouraged to share our happiness and joy, but sadness, loneliness and sufferings are oppressed. However, in music, all feelings are welcome and explored.

Music = Time and Space to Feel your Feelings Read More »

Dressing up in the time of Quarantine.

Nikkan San "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

The future is always uncertain, and our survival instinct gravitates towards the fear of the unknown. However, we also have our rationality to override our survival instincts and pay attention to the gorgeous weather outside. How the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. By savoring the transient beauty of our surrounding world, we can choose to see the glass half full, and smile, starting the virtuous circle around us. What I want is to provide the world with a catalyst for that one smile. Please do come visit me on my blog and my YouTube channel, anytime.

Dressing up in the time of Quarantine. Read More »