"Doctor" Miyauchi

His name is Yukihiro Miyauchi. People will call him "Miyauchi-sensei", or simply just "Sensei!"
For 30+ years, Sensei lives and breathes taiko.

He is one of the most fascinating person I've ever had the privilege of knowing. This is why I was inspired to write about him.

Coming from a family of 10 (9 brothers and 1 sister), young Yukihiro lost his mother when he was still a boy (if I'm not mistaken, he was 9 years old when his mother passed away of a lethal illness). His father never remarried, so Yukihiro and his siblings were raised by his widowed father and his late mother's younger sister. His beloved aunt never married and is now in her 80s.

His family never had much money, so young Yukihiro had to work all his life to earn some income. He used to do all sort of part-time job, from newspaper to milk delivery, working in a pachinko parlor or waitressing at restaurants, you name it, chances are he's done it at some stage in his life.

Yukihiro discovered that he has a very strong passion over Japanese traditional art. A talented singer and dancer (he's got the Saturday Night Fever moves!!), he decided to try his chance at Kabuki performing art. He was a kabuki actor for many years when something remarkable happened to him that changed his course of life drastically.

One night he was scheduled to perform with his kabuki troupe for a private party for a giant Japanese corporation. As an opening act, there was a taiko drumming troupe that was scheduled to open the party. Yukihiro had heard of taiko drumming and has seen some mild performances at folk festivals, so he was interested to see the performance from backstage. The performing taiko group was a very famous one in Japan at the time, the second Yukihiro heard the player hit "Do Don!" he felt as if his heart has been drummed. He was watching the flawless performance nonstop, and when he finished watching he found out that he was covered in sweat from the excitement. At that moment he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He came up after the performance to the player and asked to be taught by the drummer.
The taiko drummer, being an old-school Japanese person, refused him flat-out. After all, Yukihiro has never held a drum stick in his life and the drummer thought that Yukihiro was just a young man trying to make sense of his life after long hard years in Kabuki.

Yukihiro never gave up, however. He followed whereever the drummer was performing at and offered his 'free service'. Namely carrying the massive taikos to cleaning up after the stage. After his 5th request, the drummer agreed to take him as his assistant and let Yukihiro to watch his performances, but he said he would consider teaching Yukihiro to drum if he can be assured of his noble interest in taiko.

After one year of delivering drums, setting up stage and helping the drummer at all odds, Yukihiro's genuine interest in taiko was confirmed. The drummer took him as a student and taught him the art of taiko.

Yukihiro Miyauchi has now acquired a very strong presence in Japanese taiko drum world. Everybody who's what and whom in taiko drumming knows him or at least knows of him. His students are spread all around Japan and the world; from Hokkaido to Okinawa, Japan to the Netherlands, Canada to Africa. Several of Kodo performers were taught by him prior to their apprenticeship. His most recent 'fun' was hanging out with Black Eyed Peas during their tour in Japan and Sensei was invited to teach them how to do taiko drumming and he wound up jamming with them all night long.

For me he is my 'father' in taiko. The first person who introduced me the wonderful world of taiko. He let me blossomed and nurtured my taiko side at all ends and I am forever thankful for him to let me borrow one of his much-treasured taiko for personal practice.

As for the name "Doctor" Miyauchi... haha. Taiko classes on Thursday mornings has always been my escapade from long hard work period at the office. When the world is down, the sun is not shining, and everything seems to be going wrong, I know I can always find comfort and stress release by going to a taiko class.
"Hi, this is Tari. I'm not feeling well this morning, I'm going to see Doctor Miyauchi. Be at work around 1 PM."

Fine Italian Restaurant: ESPERIA

One of the things that I love about living in Tokyo is the wealth of fine dining place scattered around the city. Working in Nishi-Azabu is definitely a plus as the finest ones seem to be popping out every once in a while at all angles of this part of town.

Take this afternoon for an example. As a tradition, everytime my long-time client from Hollywood came into town, we have a leisurely lunch date as Ted is an avid fellow foodie. We are in an informal project to build a dining out guide for Tokyo.
This time it's my turn. I searched the internet long and hard to find an authentic restaurant, with Italian being the theme.
The pendulum pointed to a restaurant called "Esperia".

Esperia was originally located in Shinjuku/Akebonobashi until recently when they moved to Nishi-Azabu area.
From the pictures that were available on their website (www.esperia.biz) the restaurant seems to have a very nouveau look to it. A few reviews for the restaurants were all raving about it and Hotpepper Minato Ward gave it a high-rated sign.

I met Ted at the corner of Nishi-Azabu crossing in the middle of a miserrable rain. We were in a good mood, despite the weather, looking forward to a fine dining experience.
When we got to Esperia, we were pleasantly surprised because the hostess were already waiting for us at the door. She quickly offered to take our coats and umbrellas and swiftly after that another person showed us to our table.
The setting inside Esperia is very chic and clean and cozy. You can immediately feel "Italy" from the interior, but unlike most restaurants which are trying very hard to induce the authenticity of their cuisines with the decor, Esperia is - on the contrary - very unpretentious.

Our waiter brought a menu for our course of choice. They come in three different variety, either JPY 1,300; JPY 1,800 or JPY 3,000.
Ted and I agree to take the biggest course, so we could have a taste of the appetizer, pasta and main dish - concluded with desert platter and some caffeine-drink. After all this is Italy we're dining now, the land of cappucino and espresso -- so they say.
The choices for the course were all amazing, it ranged from seafood (scallops, shrimps and fish), chicken, pork, quails and veals. Esperia proves itself not to be a stereotype Italian restaurant as you can see the variety of antipasti that they offer.
For my part I had scallop for appetizer, magliateli (handmade pasta) with avocado and crab and finished with crispy grilled Kyushu fish with mushroom and vinegar.
The food came in leisurely pace, all through the meal we were provided with several foccacias and Italian baguette.
For desert, I had cappuccino and a chocolate mousse cake and strawberry sherbet (I think it's actually gellato).
The hostess also came back with a platter of cheese with gorgonzola and old Italian cheese assortment which was just phenomenal.

I've been to many Italian restaurants, but I'd have to say that to date this is the finest Italian restaurant I've ever been to. I'm talking about the taste and also the quality of service that we received throughout the long lunch.
The price 3000 yen for a lunch menu, while not the cheapest by standard, it is definitely not the most expensive. And the only similar-level comparison that I can think of would be a visit to "Nobu"... and at Nobu for the same thing I recalled paying 7,000 yen per head for it and whilst I'm happy with the food and the service, I felt that the price was a rip-off.

In any case... my point is (and I do have one), please try this restaurant for a serious fine Italian dining experience. The price is right, you got your money worth.

Contact Information
Esperia
www.esperia.biz
4-11-25 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031
Tel　03-5485-1771

ps: for dinner, they have a very reasonable 3,500 yen course. With wine and grappas, you're looking at 7,000 - 10,000 yen budget.