We are smack-dab in the middle of festival season here in Okinawa. While we won't be able to take advantage of all of them, thanks to friend Mary (who, besides keeping her own travel blog, is also the "To Do" editor for Okinawa Hai--an invaluable blog resource for all things Okinawa) we were able to choose from many according to what we could squeeze into our schedule. Tonight, we started with the Eisa Dance Festival at Koza Music Town. Eisa is an Okinawan folk dance which you can read more about here.
Originally, our plan was to begin at a new restaurant we wanted to try...but we couldn't find the landmark listed for the turn (and here, landmarks are oh so important) so we just went to Charlie's Tacos again (which did not hurt my feelings in the least).
(This has nothing to do with anything. I just liked him.)
Charlie's is close to Koza, but with traffic and parking difficulties, I ended up dropping off the kiddos in front of Koza and looking for parking a short distance away. Walking from the lot back to Koza, I was definitely getting the feel for the "old" Okinawa:
I was hearing my friend Janette's voice saying "showtime! showtime!"...which is an inside joke going back to her time here as a child in the 70's...but I digress.
Coming up alongside the building, I was lucky enough to find the dancers and drummers getting ready for their performances.
I have seen this guy somewhere before. He kind of stands out in a crowd, being white...and tall. I think it's cool that he does this dancing.
This is one of the jester guys. More on them later.
So we found a place with a bird's eye view on the second of three floors.
But Jake opted for floor three
Troy opted to stay downstairs. I wonder why. Could it be because he can see over everyone anyway? Speaking of tall and white!
Then the introductions were made to kick things off and the first group paraded in. Each performance had the same basic elements, with a little individual interpretation:
There was always a flag bearer
A group of drummers
Male dancers
Female dancers
And the singers/sanshin players in the background.
Oh...and the jesters. These guys are my fave. They go around imitating the other performers...and whistling, interacting with the audience, etc. Each group had two.
And this is how it all comes together:
(This first one was too large so I had to upload it to YouTube)
Originally, our plan was to begin at a new restaurant we wanted to try...but we couldn't find the landmark listed for the turn (and here, landmarks are oh so important) so we just went to Charlie's Tacos again (which did not hurt my feelings in the least).
(This has nothing to do with anything. I just liked him.)
Charlie's is close to Koza, but with traffic and parking difficulties, I ended up dropping off the kiddos in front of Koza and looking for parking a short distance away. Walking from the lot back to Koza, I was definitely getting the feel for the "old" Okinawa:
I was hearing my friend Janette's voice saying "showtime! showtime!"...which is an inside joke going back to her time here as a child in the 70's...but I digress.
Coming up alongside the building, I was lucky enough to find the dancers and drummers getting ready for their performances.
I have seen this guy somewhere before. He kind of stands out in a crowd, being white...and tall. I think it's cool that he does this dancing.
This is one of the jester guys. More on them later.
So we found a place with a bird's eye view on the second of three floors.
But Jake opted for floor three
Troy opted to stay downstairs. I wonder why. Could it be because he can see over everyone anyway? Speaking of tall and white!
Then the introductions were made to kick things off and the first group paraded in. Each performance had the same basic elements, with a little individual interpretation:
There was always a flag bearer
A group of drummers
Male dancers
Female dancers
And the singers/sanshin players in the background.
Oh...and the jesters. These guys are my fave. They go around imitating the other performers...and whistling, interacting with the audience, etc. Each group had two.
And this is how it all comes together:
(This first one was too large so I had to upload it to YouTube)
3 comments:
Wow! It's a really different looking culture. I got nervous at the idea of you trying to keep track of four kids in the evening during festival time. I guess your kids are a little older than mine!
It is very unique, that is for sure...even unique compared to mainland Japan. Even though it is part of Japan, the Okinawa island (Ryukyu islands) culture is SO different.
Yes, my baby is going to be 11 soon! On one hand it's sad to see them grow...but fun when we go on activities that they can be so independent. Also, while I know that no place is completely safe...the crime is so low here, it's amazing. The culture is very child centered, too...which has been SO nice! I hear that when American families leave after serving their time here...it is really culture shock going back to the States and having to get used to being on guard all the time again after feeling so safe on this little island. I'm already not looking forward to it!
I loved all the festivals!!! Don't ever let the rain or the heat stop you! Yes, you will be soaked either way....but sooo worth it! You will eventually get used to it if not already!!! Everyone keeps saying how hot it is here and i am like what? Are ya kidding me?! LOL! Enjoy!!!
Post a Comment