Gift #139- The Japanese Military Band

Last Saturday, Hank and I had the opportunity to go and hear the Japanese Military Band.  We were very fortunate to get tickets for this event.  The residents of Iwakuni had to put their names into a lottery to win a concert seat.  Our Japanese friend Missie had a few extra tickets and she was kind enough to ask us to go.  The band was incredible!  The first set of music consisted of beautiful classical pieces.  The second set was much more upbeat with songs like A Hard Days Night by the Beatles.  Towards the end, the band members got really animated and came down into the crowd.  They were so lively and fun.  It was neat to share something in common with the people of Japan.  Hank and I laughed and clapped our hands right along side our neighbors.  Most of the songs were Japanese, but a few were familiar including the song  Close to You by the Carpenters.  One of the female band members sang her little heart out-  "Just Rike me they long to be... "  It is hard for the people of Japan to make the English L, Th and V sounds.  The song was beautiful and it truly made Hank and I smile.  We had a great time as we shared yet another wonderful cultural experience in the land of the rising sun.