"She was someone I could say anything to.
She was like a river of art and beauty that we could all take a dip in whether just a toe to feel the freshness of the water or float down the river on a log or fully submerge for a long swim." Chaitee Sengupta
"Every time I was with Asako I was filled with deep joy and happiness.
And, as Chaitee expressed, I could share anything/everything with her.
It was so easy loving her, loving unconditionally,
and I am so blessed to have shared time with her,
and so blessed she shared her love and gifts with us!" Sharanjit Sandhu
Happy 64th Birthday dear Asako Takami! This year, I was inspired to ask her friends this question: What did Asako bring to your life? I felt now, more than ever, was a good time to reflect.
Personally...
In one of her notebooks, Asako described how her heart experienced an aching feeling from this intense sweetness, that old Odissi music brought; and I really related to that feeling as well. I also feel my heart fill up with bliss, whenever I listen to Odissi music or witness Odissi dance. It has such unique intense sweetness! I call it "Oriya-ness." However, since I only discovered her notebooks after her passing, I keep this as a special teaching I received from Asako.
I can also say, my subtle body, my energy body, for dance; was born with her help. I think I can say this. Dance is not only physical movement. I see water-like flowing energy, and her satvik shining subtle body. I fell in love with her grace, and I spent days and nights trying to imitate her dancing.
Asako's biography. Actually, Asako was the one who opened the door to my dance journey, and she was also the reason why I started my writing journey as well. Some can say, she is the "starter" of many firsts in my life.
I think, one can always keep learning after a Guru's departure from this world. Because I keep on learning new things from Asako's teachings, even after her passing.
Even if Guru has imperfect sides to them, one can always learn from them. As time has passed, my life has kept on going, and I have become much older than Asako. And it is at this age, I am able to imagine what kind of pains and confusions young Asako going through. And that, enforces my thought that, I think a Guru's imperfections make for a better learner.
In conclusion, I would like to address to the fact that I have been living with Asako for the last 20 years, even though her journey on this world has ended a long time ago. Haruko Tanaka
オリッサの踊りと音楽の心をぎゅっと締め付けるような甘い、インテンスな質。“オーリヤ的なもの”と私は呼んでいる。高見麻子さんのノートで読んで、ああそうだなあと思った。だからこれは亡くなったあとにいただいた教え。
私の踊りのサトルボディ（エネルギーのからだ）が生まれたのは麻子さんの指導、とでも言おうか。踊りは肉体だけじゃない。麻子さんの踊る流れる水のような輝くサトルボディが大好きで、毎日真似して過ごした。
私が物書きになったのも、そう。麻子さんの伝記をまとめたのが始まりだった。だから私の人生の踊りの始まりと、物書きの始まりは、麻子さんだ。
麻子さんが亡くなった後も私は麻子さんから学び続けた。だから言えるのは、お師匠さんがこの世にいなくなっても私たちは学び続けることができる。
たとえお師匠さんが完璧じゃなくても学ぶことはできる。月日は経って、私はいつのまにか麻子さんよりずーっと年上になってしまった。若い麻子さんが抱えていた苦しみや混乱に想いを馳せるようになった。お師匠さんは完璧じゃないほうが深く学べると今では思う。
ようするに、私、この２０年間麻子さんと一緒に生きてきたんだな。田中晴子
Photo: Ryosen Kono