Matthew Caulfield kindly provided the web site s for the Hall of halls
in Japan.

I have visited the village and wonderful collection of Joji Funaki at
Moeginomura. He is a most gracious host and the collection is set out
and on view along with his fantastic collection of Chineese and
Japaneese China in part of the beautiful village he has built up in the
mountains of Japan about 2hrs out of Tokyo.

Most night demonstrations of many of the instruments are given in the
Hall. At other times the collection is on display and the curator will
play instruments for you. Joji also has a repair shop and his restorer
has also designed and made several monkey organs.

The Verbeck organ has been used several times to provide the music for
ballets that have been performed out side the Hall in the open air.
Joji's wife is a ballerina and takes professional classes in the area.
they have had music written for Nut Cracker,Giselle and others. Joji
sent me a documentary made by one of the Japaneese Television companies
which covered one of the performances. It is quite strange to see
European ballet being performed by Japaneese to music provided by a
large European street Organ.

Joji has done so much to develop this ara of Japan and attract visitors
there. The places he has built are in an array of styles set in trees
surrounded by the mountains and old Japan. I can throughly recommend a
visit if you are in Japan

   ROD

ROD CORNELIUS PHONE/FAX 64 9 4452776. EMAIL rodcorn@ihug.co.nz