Special exhibit showcasing the revitalization of Okinawan theater, fashion, and photography on display at Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum
Stage costume made from U.S. military food sacks directly after World War II. October 5, Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, Itoman
October 6, 2017 by Ryukyu Shimpo
The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum opened their special exhibit, “Okinawan Theater and a World at War – Dreamlike figures of Okinawa,” on October 5 in Itoman.
Using items such as newspaper articles, photographs, and clothing, the exhibit profiles pre-war and wartime cultural censorship and Okinawa’s post-war artistic revitalization.
Admittance is free, and the exhibit will run through December 10.
The exhibit is designed to acknowledge that a peaceful society is linked to respect for cultural identity and freedom of expression.
It shows the darker colors of wartime, and teaches visitors that Okinawan theater was banned.
It also features the article “Flowers Bloom in Scorched Earth,” published by Ryukyu Shimpo.
The exhibit also has on display a costume worn by Ryosho Heiryo, the head of the Bamboo Theater Group, established by the Okinawan Government to help ease those who had been injured in the war.
The costume is made from food sacks from the U.S. military and dyed using anti-malarial medicine to create a bingatastyle pattern.
Exhibit curator Naoko Watanabe, 48, said, “Okinawan theater is steeped in local culture, and I want young people to connect with the things people took great care to protect.”
Ryosho Heiryo’s son, Satoshi, 81, said after seeing the exhibit, “It would be nice if they built an art museum in Uruma, which was the birthplace of the post-war art scene.”
As a related event, on October 29, starting at 2:00 p.m. students from Minatogawa Elementary School in Urasoe and Haebaru High school will be performing plays and dances alongside the exhibit in the exhibition hall.
Additionally, the exhibit will also be on display from January 20 through February 22 at the Yaeyama Peace Museum in Ishigaki.
For more information, call the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum at (+81) 098-997-3844.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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