The 35th Anniversary Celebration for Okinawa Kai of Washington D.C. is celebrated with a variety of lively performances

The 35th Anniversary Celebration for Okinawa Kai of Washington D.C. is celebrated with a variety of lively performances

The splendid eisa dance performed as the finale for festival-goers. April 21, Alexandria, Virginia.


 

April 30, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

By Special Corresponded Tamiko Suzuki

 

Washington D.C. – It has been 35 years since Jesse Shokan Shima gathered 27 people at his home, and started the Okinawa Kai of Washington D.C. Since then, the Okinawa Kai has grown to over 200 famlies in the Washington D.C. area, both those of Okinawan descent as well those with an interest in the island chain.

On April 21, they celebrated their 35th anniversary with great fanfare at a middle school in Alexandria, Virignia.

 

Itsuko Asato, president of the organization, chose the theme of “Ichibari Cho-de” – “Once we have met, we are like brothers & sisters,” for the celebration, and greeted the audience saying, “Let’s take a new step with our 35th year, and grow the organization together.”

The celebration itself was lively, attracting around 400 people from different U.S. states.

 

In the celebration, members presented the founders of Okinawa Kai, who worked for years in service of the organization, with a letter of gratitude.

There was also a birthday celebration for two members aged 85 and 73.

For the younger members, the organization awarded scholarships to two students, the 35th anniversary special scholarship and the 2017 scholarship.

 

On stage, the anniversary was celebrated with a variety of entertainment.

There was a performance of a Ryukyuan Dance, “Kagiya de fu.” A taiko drumming group from Richmond, Virginia perfumed an arrangement of “Eisa” and “Yatai-bayashi” to the roars of the crowd.

Four grandmasters from the Tamagusku Ryu Shosetsu Kai and the Tamagusuku Ryu Keisho Kai perfomed traveled from Okinawa to perform traditional Ryukyu dances.

After the performances, the masters where presented with a certificate of gratitude.

 

There were also performances such as dancing, shamisen, koto, and karate.

For the finale, the Okinawa Kai Eisa group gave a lively performance, capping off the night with the well-known dance Kachashi.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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