Just noticed on the Uilleann Obsession page the photos of this new group. Any memberes here feel like filling me in on the details…meetings, places et al?
It’s actually not an official organization. Joey Abarta from LA is now in Japan,and we are trying to get together and have some tunes.Last time only few pipers could attend.But we are trying to have another meeting.
Thanks Makoto, let me know the next time and I’ll try head down. (With my luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvly C# set 
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Oh, I so wish I were still in Japan right now…I’d totally be there…
Slurp up some miso ramen and nama biiru for me, guys…
If you can be patient with total beginners, count me in too! The other day Joey kindly gave me the first lesson of my life. Wish I could make an instant Matrix knowledge download
You and me both. 
I joined this meeting, held in last september. We have 4 pipers in this meeting: Joey and 3 Japanese.
As innerhand says, it is unofficial. I think now we need official pipers club in Japan.
We (except Joey) gathered again at workshop by Cillian Vallely last month. I wanted to notice this great chance to all pipers, but I don’t have the way to do. If we had the pipers club, we can share information easily.
And we can welcome pipers who visit to Japan.
…Of course I know, The Chieftains visit Japan this year 
Shinya
I was on the verge of selling my pipes because I just don’t play them any more.
Once you get out of the habit and start to forget a lot of stuff, it’s difficult to get started again. One of the things that eroded my interest was the lack of contact with other pipers. Before I came to Japan I used to join a meeting at least once a month in the Chantry Pipe Museum in Northumberland, and it was always nice to have input from other players. Since moving to Japan, my pipes of moved further and further to the back of the cupboard.
I bought a C set from Dave Boisvert nearly two years ago, but it’s depressing to play and realise how many tunes have slipped away.
It would be nice to have a regular meeting in Tokyo. It takes less than an hour to get there from Shizuoka by train.
Mukade
Seems to me that there is definatly the interest around guys…oh and I can make it dwn from Yamagata to Tokyo once a month or so too…
It is worth to use Shinkansen. I live in Hamamatsu!
I’m playing in a Band, but actually I want to contact other pipers.
Now we have 3 pipers in Shizuoka-ken.
It may be good to have a meeting around here.
…I know, wooff D and Froment D is in Shizuoka-ken 
Shinya
I live in Fuji now.
When I lived in Hamamatsu, I played in a band run by an Irish guy called Brendan. We had a long-haired Japanese dentist on guitar/banjo, and a very good Japanese bouzouki player and his wife on mandolin. We also had an Australian singer who looked and sounded exactly like Van Morrison.
We often played in Amigos bar and the German beer hall near Hamamatsu station. I haven’t been to Hamamatsu for over six years. I wonder if those places are still there.
Mukade
Exactly! I’m playing with them now. They are all here.
I came here from Sapporo last Aplil, and playing with them since June.
I think you mean Mein Schloss. it is still there.
But I heared Amigos was closed.
And now we have an Irish/Scottish whisky bar in Hamamatsu and we generally play monthly last Sunday night.
Last year, a new band launched in Mishima. I sometimes play with them.
Shinya
Now we have 3 pipers in Shizuoka-ken.
It may be good to have a meeting around here.
…I know, wooff D and Froment D is in Shizuoka-ken
Shinya[/quote]
There is Wooff in Yamagata too and Rogge in Sendai
Please say hello to Brendan and the others.
I went to see a band playing in Shizuoka last year with a view to joining them, but they all smoked and the bar was a smokey hell hole. It’s a terrible environment to play in, especially on the flute or whistle.
Mukade
There is Wooff in Yamagata too and Rogge in Sendai [/quote]
I know a place that would make a great summer/spring piping getaway.
It’s a camp site way out in the sticks with the most amazing views of Mt. Fuji, plenty of places to practice, a bar run by an American guy and a workshop area to make reeds.
Mukade
hmmmmm Spring / Summer tionol…sounds promising. How’s the weather on reeds?
Shizuoka is pretty mild all year round. The camping area is in the Asagiri Highland, which is about 800m above sea level. It doesn’t get the summer humidity up there.
Imagine playing a few tunes with this scenery in front of you.
Mukade
Ah hell yeah, I’m on for that!
Hi Shinya,
Are that Irish band “Hard to Find” still going up there in Hokkaido?
Yes, they are. They are playing very nice music many times and holding session twice in a month.
On the other hand, last year Irish music club was started by the strudents of Univercity of Hokkaido. They have monthly session.
I know some pipes are located in Hokkaido, but they aren’t played in the session, or stage now.
If you visit Hokkaido, it is nice to contact them.
Hard to Find is now on myspace Japan.
http://www.myspace.com/hardtofindjp