Japanese play Chopin ballade in Washington, D.C.

Japanese play Chopin ballade in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, United States - Japanese pianist Ikuyo Nagata (R) and compatriot violinist Reiko Watanabe play a duet of Belgian musician Eugene Ysaye's transcription of the Chopin ballade No. 1 at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 13, 2014. It was the first time the legendary Belgian violinist's 100-year-old arrangement for the violin and piano has been played. Nagata "deciphered" Ysaye's musical notes over about three years.

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a pre-opening event for a Buddhist cafe called "Koyasan Cafe" try mediation in the style of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Aug. 20, 2013. The cafe, which will open Aug. 30 until Sept. 8 near JR Tokyo Station, will let visitors talk with Buddhist monks from Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture and experience mediation and "shakyo" sutra transcription.

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a pre-opening event for a Buddhist cafe called "Koyasan Cafe" sit in a circle with Buddhist monks in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Aug. 20, 2013. The cafe, which will open Aug. 30 until Sept. 8 near JR Tokyo Station, will let visitors talk with Buddhist monks from Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture and experience mediation and "shakyo" sutra transcription.

Japanese play Chopin ballade in Washington, D.C.

Japanese play Chopin ballade in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, United States - Japanese pianist Ikuyo Nagata (R) and compatriot violinist Reiko Watanabe play a duet of Belgian musician Eugene Ysaye's transcription of the Chopin ballade No. 1 at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 13, 2014. It was the first time the legendary Belgian violinist's 100-year-old arrangement for the violin and piano has been played. Nagata "deciphered" Ysaye's musical notes over about three years. (Kyodo)