Mid-Autumn Celebration: A moonlit fall equinox dance performance at Shurijo Castle Park

Mid-Autumn Celebration: A moonlit fall equinox dance performance at Shurijo Castle Park

Dancers performing traditional Ryukyuan dance under the moonlight, during the “Mid-Autumn Celebration” (Chushu no Utage) on the evening of September 14, in Naha City’s Shurijo Castle Park. (Photographed by Kaori Tanaka)


September 15, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shurijo Castle Park’s annual celebration of the fall equinox, “Mid-Autumn Celebration” (Chushu no Utage) kicked off on September 14, on the special stage set up in the Seiden, or main hall area, of Shurijo Castle.

The event includes a reenactment of one of the “seven banquets” (Sappo Shichi-en), which were held during the Ryukyu Kingdom period to entertain the Chinese envoys sent by the emperor.

Five living national treasures, Tokutaro Shiroma, Kishun Nishie, Choichi Terukina, Satoshi Higa and Nouhou Miyagi took the stage in a special joint performance, with the Shurijo Castle as the backdrop.

The crowd of about 1,600 watched on the sanshin (traditional Okinawan banjo), drums and traditional Ryukyu dance performances, while enjoying the crisp early autumn air and the full moon, which illuminated the stage, making for a magical night.

Naha City resident Teruko Nishie, 70, said, “It’s great to see many tourists here.Kumiodori (dance for the envoys) teaches us life lessons, and it’s a source of pride for Okinawans. I think more Okinawans should come see it too.”

The contest to select a king and queen for the Ryukyu Shurijo Castle Festival will be held on Sept 15, in addition to more Ryukyu dance and kumiodori performances.

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

Go To Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]