Craig Arnold JUSF Artist Fellow Missing in Japan
Craig’s work as a poet brought him much acclaim. Here is the recent wikipedia info:
As of April 30, 2009, Craig Arnold went missing on the small volcanic island of Kuchinoerabujima, Japan.[5] He went for a solo hike to explore an active volcano on the island and never returned to the inn where he was staying. While Japanese law mandates government-backed searches for three days, on April 30, 2009, the Japanese government agreed to extend the search an additional three days.[6] Arnold was not found, and the search was then picked up by the international NGO 1st Special Response Group.[7] Craig Arnold’s trail was found near a high cliff, and he was presumed to have died from a fatal fall near the date of his disappearance.[8]
More current information can be found here along with a donation link to support further efforts to find and bring Craig back to the USA:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=74254019683
Craig was one of the five recipients of the Japan US Friendship Commission Artist Grant for 2009. The grants supports mid career artist who are interested in Japanese culture by providing money to live in Japan for at least six months. This was one of the most important and influential grants I’ve received as an artist. It gave me deep insight into the Japanese culture, it’s people and forged great friendships.
This unfortunate situation has caused me to stop in my tracks and take a moment to reflect. As an artist in New York City, and father of two small children, my life can get pretty hectic day to day. I often forget about how fortunate I am to be healthy. During last night’s Asclepius rehearsal, there was a debate about making a rigging in the theater so that my character Apollo can “fly” onto the stage. My first reaction was of excitement, then I thought about the dangers. In the past, I would have been all for it. What an amazing spectacle that would make. But now that I have children I certainly do not want to take unnecessary risks. Upon further reflection on the subway ride home, I am reminded of all the work to be done in this world to relieve suffering. My job as a physical performer is to convey the human spirit in a universal struggle. Part of my job as a shakuhachi craftsman is to provide a tool in which we can all share in an effort to make peace in this world. It all begins with the individual.
In the Dokyoku music that I studied in the Watazumi lineage, there is a piece called Tamuke which translates as Hands Folded in Prayer. This piece of music is played at funerals of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism for the safe passage of the soul. Kinko Ryu players may play Banshiki or other pieces.