Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai celebrates 30th anniversary with various Ryukyu arts performances

Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai celebrates 30th anniversary with various Ryukyu arts performances

On March 10 in Swansboro, North Carolina, participants celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai.


 

March 19, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Tamiko Suzuki

 

 

The Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai was founded in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1988.

Camp Lejeune, the largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast, is located there as well. At first the Kenjin Kai only had 32 members, but now it has grown to incorporate 126 members.

The group plays an important role in Okinawa public relations in Jacksonville by providing public entertainment like Ryukyu dance and eisa, and introducing Okinawan culture and history through school or neighborhood events.

On March 10, the Kenjin Kai held its 30th anniversary celebration at Swansboro Rotary Civic Center.

President Toshie Cerveny of the Kenjin Kai gave a greeting at the ceremony, saying, “We have been able to reach our 30th anniversary thanks to the support of our leaders and members, who uphold our mottos of friendship, welfare, and cooperation.”

 

 

Nosho Miyagi, the leader of Miyagi Ryu Nosho Kai Dance School with nearly 50 years of experience in teaching Ryukyu song and dance, came from Los Angeles to enliven the ceremony.

Tamagusuku Ryu Keisho Kai’s Head Master Hirae Kinjo, its instructor Yoko Watanabe, and three of its pupils came all the way from Okinawa.

The Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai presented those representing Miyagi Ryu Nosho Kai and Tamagusuku Ryu Keisho Kai with letters of gratitude.

 

 

The ceremony program started off with five successive presidents of the Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai dancing Kagiyadefu Bushi.

More performances followed, including a dance called Kotobuki no Mai by students of Tamiko Uemura Ryukyu Dance School, which is the North Carolina branch of the Miyagi Ryu Nosho Kai Dance School.

In addition, Nosho Miyagi presented Michiwa Kuduchi, and Tamiko Uemura demonstrated the dance Munjuru.
More acts followed as Tamagusuku Ryu Keisho Kai members danced Hatoma Bushi and other choreography, Hirae Kinjo demonstrated Hanjo Bushi, and Yoko Watanabe and Toshie Cerveny performed Kanayo Amaka.
Young attendees gave performances including taiko drum and dance, karate demonstrations, and ballet.

Satsuki Potts of Uezu Yoshitaka School of Ryukyu Traditional Song performed Anma Katami nu Ichiban Jin.

As master of ceremonies, Taeko North engaged the audience with humor as she announced the acts.

Following the ceremony there was an afterparty where the guests socialized together, including some who came from Florida and Ohio.

The Jacksonville Okinawa Kenjin Kai was successful in celebrating its 30th anniversary.

 

 

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

 

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