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this page. Images were taken on 08.10.2002 (Jikoen
Temple); 08.16.2002 and 08.17.2002 (Mililani Hongwanji). |
Mililani Hongwanji (Mililani, Hawaii)
August 16-17, 2002
Perhaps the
most fun I've had this season was at the Mililani
Hongwanji this weekend. I'm a member of the Okinawan bon
dance troupe with no name (yet), but informally known as the
"Ryukyu Bon Dance Group." We're basically a
bunch of friends who are involved in Okinawan music and dance
who got together and formed a group. We've been together for the
past 3 years now, mainly performing at the Mililani
Hongwanji -- however, we were invited to 2 other
temples this year. Due to my hectic schedule, I wasn't able to
make the other 2 engagements, but was happy to join the group
for the Mililani gig. Even better yet, Joyce was able to
join us, too!
The up and coming Ryukyu
Bon Dance Group!
We're a crazy
group of folks, comprised of two senseis
(teachers), four musicians who earned scholarships to train in
Okinawa, as well as talented students of Okinawan dance
and music who have studied here in Hawaii under esteemed
instructors. The best part about the group is that, despite their
credentials and training, no one feels like that they have to get
on their high horse to puts on airs. Everyone's down-to-earth and
laid back. You definitely get that feeling of `ohana
(family) and will soon find yourself laughing along with us and
participating in the playful banter that we enjoy so much.
After
performing two 30-minute sets, we went back into our
"dressing room" where we'd all cram together in the
small area: eating, drinking, joking, laughing, singing and
dancing. The sanshin players would plunk away at their
instruments, singing with lively hearts as the rest of us would
clap along and sing the words that we knew. Keith (who we
have dubbed the "Bon Dance Iemoto") would
get up and dance with reckless abandon as we cheered him on.
Surely, the church members on the other side of the partition marveled
at our jubilance -- or shot annoyed looks our way for disturbing
their peace. Either way, we were having the time of our
lives. It was a total "Mo Ashibi" scene,
just as you would imagine it in small villages all over
Okinawa.
Orion
Beer and Awamori flowed like water. Although not all of us
chose to partake, the spirit of the group was riding a natural
high of a shared sense of community, culture and a feeling
of accomplishment for a job well done.
The
Ryukyu Bon Dance Group will not meet again until next year. Until
then, we'll hold on to those fond memories while we wait in
anxious anticipation.
Otsukaresama
deshita!
See
Last
year's antics.
|
