YUIMA-RU

A Sneak Peek at Upcoming Events!

2012-02-25T08:41:00.003-08:00

My upcoming lecture will be held this Spring, and will be announced soon.

Please stay tuned to my website's dance column and blog!

This is a sneak-peek photo prior to my makeup lecture:

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This is also a sneak-peek announcement for this year's Long Island Sakura Matsuri,
at which I will teach an Okinawan folk dance to children

as a special program on May 5th, which is Children's Day in Japan.

Please join my folk dance lesson on May 5th
in the Wang Center at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

My Brunch Talk

2012-02-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

I cooked a Salmon steak and vegetable stew with squash, string beans and dried cranberries for dinner.
The dinner menu took about 20 minutes to cook.

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Today, I received a package from a Kimono store in Okinawa:

今日は、沖縄の衣装屋さんから荷物が届きました。

オーダーメードの着物は、仕上がるまで一ヶ月ほどかかるのです。

やっと3月の舞台公演衣装が揃いました。一安心！

Performance Preview Part Three

2012-02-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to introduce photos of the Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko to preview my stage program on March 17th.

The Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko performances are becoming quite popular on the main island of Japan, as well as internationally. The Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko 琉球国祭り太鼓 is a kind of bon festival dance, like other Okinawa Prefecture folk dances in which the dancers carry and play Taiko drums as they dance; however, the Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko's drum dancing is uniquely choreographed with specific forms (Kata-incorporated Karate forms) and specific music for each performance.

Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko will perform Miruku Munari, Ku-daka and Ashibina.

Please join our performance and see exciting-and-energetic drum dancing!

July 4th, 2011 Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia

Photos were taken by Junko Fisher.

Folk Dance Lesson Day

2012-02-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

I went to the NY Buddhist Church yesterday afternoon to teach Okinawan folk dance to the members of the Japanese dance school there. We will demonstrate several folk dances including Tokyo Ondo, Tanko Bushi and Okinawan folk dance at the finale of the Sakura Fest on March 17th.
Please join folk dances!

NY Buddhist Church on 105 Street, Riverside Drive, New York City

Franz Seigel's statue on 106 Street, Riverside Drive New York City.

He is facing the Hudson River.

It is so much fun to go to Manhattan. There are interesting historical buildings

monuments in every places.

昨日は沖縄盆踊り指導のためニューヨーク仏教会に行ってきました。

３月１７日ニューヨーク自然史博物館の桜フェスタイベントの

フィナーレとして

日本舞踊家たちにまじって民舞を披露します。

民舞の時間帯は４時１５分から５時までです。

My Brunch Talk

2012-02-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Weekend!

Actually, this brunch took more than 15 minutes to make, even though I usually take just 5 minutes to cook for brunch.
I am not a trained chef, but I like to cook. Today's menu included Chikuzen-ni (Gobo, Daikon, Ninjin, Shiitake, Taro Imo and Chicken), salad and tofu fry.

By the way, today I am going to teach Okinawan folk dance to Japanese dance members in Manhattan. It seems like I'm working constantly lately, but it should be fun.

Please enjoy your weekend!

Preparation of Props and Make Up

2012-02-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

I am rehearsing make-up and hair dressing today, and took some pictures.

Far right: hair extension, silver hair accessory

Center top: Gold flower

Center top: Koutate

Far left: Basara

Bottom: Gold and silver fan

These props are worn for Wakashu Kuti bushi dance (court dance).

Blush, base foundation, pink foundation,

pink eye make up, pink water-based powder,

white water-based powder,

black eye shadow, lip sticks.

I use four kinds of brushes.

I carry small mirror when I travel for a performance.

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A delicious chocolate box got from my student

at last Tuesday's lesson.

Thank you! The dark and milk chocolates are delicious!

Performance Preview Part Two

2012-02-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is the performance review part two for the upcoming stage performance on March 17.

The opening dance is a court dance called Wakashu Kuti Bushi.

The lyrics of the music are adopted from the Japanese tanka classic Kokinwakashu, and go,

"Each year with the advent of spring, the pine foliage increases in beauty."

As the pine is an evergreen, the song carries the wish that human life be as eternal as the pine's greenery.

This celebratory dance was performed at the Royal Court to open celebratory

events during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era.

Wakashu Kuti Bushi (Japanese: Wakashu Kotei Bushi)

Wakashu, the term for young boys, refers to those who

have yet to undergo the coming of age ceremony and are 14 or 15 years old.

This photo was taken by Larry Fisher, who holds its copyright.

Therapy

2012-02-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

I am so busy lately with preparations for my upcoming stage performances.

I felt tremendous pain in my back and neck last week. As matter of fact, I hadn't seen my acupuncture doctor in an entire year. I have been kind to my body and maintained it in good condition; besides, every few months, I have been using another type of body therapy called sports massage.

I'm very grateful to my Chinese acupuncture doctor. After taking his treatments twice last week, I can get back to my typical practice routine this week.

Please enjoy the week everybody, and take care of yourselves!

Bird Land

2012-02-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

In the middle of winter, it was like a typical morning of spring here in my backyard with many birds singing.

The place where I live is next to the Ally Pond Park, the biggest park in the New York City.

We hear birds singing all year around.

Performance Preview Part One

2012-02-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

I am going to introduce a part of the dance and music program which will be performed on March17th at the American Museum of Natural History. Bellow is a dance photo of the Shoshun No Mai dance.

３月１７日ニューヨーク自然史博物館での舞台公演に向けて

これから５週間にわたり演目などを紹介していきたいと思います。

舞台では

古典舞踊、雑おどり、創作舞踊、サンシン民謡歌、琉球国祭り太鼓演舞など、

幅広い沖縄伝統芸能を紹介いたします。

本日の演目紹介は

創作舞踊「初春の舞」です。

練習風景写真

The photo was taken by Larry Fisher.

来週の公演情報第弐段もお楽しみに！

Full Moon

2012-02-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

After I sent off my student after the dance lesson, I took pictures of the full moon from my home.

昨日、お稽古の後生徒を駅まで見送り家にもどるとこんな月が、満月の夜でした。

今日は、昼間のクラスと夕方のクラスがあります。

生徒もわたしも踊れるってことは幸せなこと。

今日もまたよい一日でありますように！

Movie Night

2012-02-04T17:09:00.000-08:00

I went to see the movie "Hugo" tonight.
This is my prediction that Martin Scorsese, the director of the movie, will receive an Oscar in the best movie chategory. It is a 3D movie, and I recommend everybody to see Hugo.

Woodbury Theater, Long Island

I like to see movies at the Woodbury theater. Their chairs are so comfortable!

On the way home, we went to a Mexican restaurant called CozyMel.

Photo Shooting at the Museum

2012-02-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Today was a photo shoot day, in a studio at the American Museum of Natural History. I have been invited to perform there on Marh 17th, and they asked me to allow them to shoot my photo for their promotional postcard for the event, which is part of the SakuraFest being held March 14-17, 2012.

I drove into Manhattan today, and shot some photos on the way to the Museum.

From Long Island Express Way

A View From Queens

62nd St. and Lexington Avenue

Between Madison and Park avenues

Park Avenue

Madison Avenue

Fifth Avenue (59th Street)

Fifth Avenue

Columbus Circle

Central Park West (62nd street)

American Museum of Natural History (front entrance between 80th and 81st streets)

Museum (80th Street side)

Photo studio and photographer

After the shooting was over, the photographer took this picture with my camera.

今日は、ニューヨーク自然博物館のスタジオに写真撮影に行ってきました。
３月１４－１７日開催予定のJapanFestイベント宣伝用ハガキに載せるんだそうですが、
カメラマンの方１００枚ほどわたしの写真をパチパチ撮っておりましたがどんなハガキに仕上がるのでしょうか楽しみです。

クイーンズの家から博物館まではドライブしながらマンハッタンの景色を撮影してみました。
ロングアイランド高速道路から眺めるマンハッタンのパノラマはいつもながら最高でした。

Junko's Brunch Talk

2012-02-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

Happy February!
Today's 5-minute brunch meal is meat pasta with fruit and vegetable salad.

My Pink Christmas Cactus has just bloomed. My red Christmas Cactus bloomed last October.
I thought each Christmas cactus blooms during a different holiday season.

とうとう２月になってしまいましたね。

我家ではいまピンクのクリスマス・カクタスの花が咲いています。赤い花のクリスマス・カクタスは昨年１０月ごろに咲いていました。花の種類によって咲く時期が違うようです。

Make up practice

2012-01-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

Today was a make-up lesson day. The make-up in the photo is for the character of a young boy in Okinawan dance. The photo is the middle of process, not completed version.

Okinawan dance make-up applies thicker eye shadow, compared to Japanese Kabuki dance make-up.

Each character has different make-up; for example, a man's character in Okinawan dance applies darker foundation and dark lipstick. Eyebrows are one of the most important feature expressing character; in a male character, the eyebrows are thicker than they are for woman.

今週フライヤー用に写真撮影を控え今日はお化粧の稽古をしました。毎回化粧するたびに顔の雰囲気が違う、目のお化粧が一番難しい。

Junko's Brunch Talk

2012-01-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

Today, my 5-minute cooking for brunch is Papaya and beef sautee, with tofu and green nappa miso soup. I used Kikkoman Thai Style Peanut Sauce (a slightly spicy stir-fry and dipping source) and light soy sauce for the seasoning of the Papaya sautee. It was deleeecious!

One of my students will visit my home this afternoon, and we will shoot some photos for the program of one of the upcoming spring festivals in which we will participate. I will teach her how to do her make-up and the proper way to wear her costume.

今日の午後は、春公演のフライヤー用に化粧と着付けとウチナー髪を結って写真撮影をします。
てんてこ舞の日々です。

よい週末をお過ごしください。

New Bag

2012-01-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

I created a new bag yesterday and would like to show you a photo of it.

The style of the bag is called Bamboo Hobo. It is so beautiful that I definitely will carry one myself!
Please check my website later for the details of the bag.

I visited a fabric store on Long Island yesterday but couldn't find anything I liked, so I came home and created the hobo bag with my Nishijin fabric whichi is "Amazing !"
Today I also taught a dance class. I'm a woman with many passions!
I wish I could create stage costumes with Nishijin Ori, but it's just too complicated (sigh), so I guess I'll keep on sewing those handbags.

Today's Junko's Brunch Talk

2012-01-25T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's dance lessons at Resobox was full of joy. I can't believe I have so much fun dancing with my students.

I am teaching three days a week lately, including two students that come to my home and take private lessons. We all practicing to perform at the Spring Cherry Blossom festivals.

This year, we will specially perform a piece titled Shoshun No Mai (a dance for early Spring) while carrying Cherry flowers in one hand. This dance piece was originally created by Master Nosho Sensei of the Nosho-Kai Ryukyu Dance School to celebrate the Spring time.

Today, my brunch menu also took only 5 minutes to cook. The turkey omelette with green pepper turned out to be a bit over-cooked and weirdly shaped, but it was tasty with a potato-and-tomato miso soup and brown rice.

I like simple meals, both to cook and to eat.

今日のブランチもまた５分間料理でした。トマトって味噌汁にしても美味しいです。

昨晩の稽古も楽しく終えました。桜祭り公演にむけて皆一生懸命に稽古にはげんでいます。Resoboxでの来週火曜日のクラスはお休みします。
２月７日火曜日にまたご参加ください。
My favorite Okinawan song of the day:
Ms. Keiko Higa who is one of four sisters of "Deigo Musume" folk group, organizes a new folk group called Shu-Bi-Zu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDKKBCKJC74&feature=related

Junko's typical brunch menu

2012-01-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

I turned off the heat and opned the windows of my study room today. Nice day, isn't it?

This is my typical brunch, which takes only 5 minutes to prepare.

This is a typical healthy meal, like we eat in Okinawa. I used to eat a vegetable Champuru dish each day when I was growing up in Okinawa.
Today's menu is Japanese soft rice and a mixed vegetable fry with Tofu, tuna, cabbage and green leaks. I mixed them together and sauteed them in olive oil, with only sea salt as a seasoning.

近くのインド系の食品店でかってきた野菜とくだもの。インドごーやーは苦い。
キューリはこりこりして種が少なくて美味しいです。

Cherry Blossom Report Part II

2012-01-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hi, Happy Lunar New Year!!

In Okinawa, we celebrate Lunar New Year this week and the Cherries are blossoming now in Okinawa, please check out the image of Cherry Blossom in Yae Dake here:
Okinawa Cherry Blossom

I would like to introduce a song called "Sakura Ichiban" composed by singer-song writer Ms. SadakoTamaki. The song is about Hikan Sakura (a type of Cherries as you see in the video obove) blossoming in Yae Dake, Northern Part of the main island of Okinawa Prefecture.

沖縄県では、中国風に旧正月を祝います。各地で旧正月のお祭りが開催されているようです。そして沖縄県本島本部地区の八重岳の桜も満開のようです。

今日は、わたしの桜第二段情報として八重岳の桜にまつわる民謡歌も紹介しましょう。

玉城貞子（作詞作曲家）先生のオリジナル曲「桜一番」の歌です。

春に一番先誇る　日本一の八重桜　緑豊かなヤンバルに　アネ　やさしい香りの八重桜
するて　するて　めんそり本部んかい
(Haru ni ichiban saki hokoru, Nihon i-chi no Yae sakura ,midori yutakana Yanbaru ni, Ane
yasashi kaori no Yae sakura, suruti suruti mensori Motobun kai)

八重岳登り見下ろせば　本部半島くっきりと　今も栄える道の道の島　アネ
渡てめんそり八重岳に　するて　するて　めんそり本部んかい
（Yae Dake nobori mioroseba, Motobu Hantou kukkirito, ima mo sakaeru michi michi no shima, Ane
watati mensori Yae Dake ni, suruti suruti mensori Motobun kai)

I will demonstrate the folk dance for the Sakura Ichiban at the "Sakura Fest" event which will be held on March 14-17, 2012 at the American Museum of Natural History, NYC. (please check the schedule of the event at http://www.junkofisher.com/ dance schedule).

Please join us on Saturday, March 17th!

Music and Dance from Spain

2012-01-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I went to see a recital of Music & Dance from Spain's Golden Age.

Musicians at the Spanish Gate: Christa Patton, Baroque harp, bagpipes; Dongmyung Ahn, Baroque violins; Christopher Morrongliello, lutes & Baroque guiter, The New York Historical Dance Company; Dorrie Olsson & Kaspar D. Mainz performed.

In the Renaissance and early Baroue periods, Spain was a dominant European power, and a leader in explorations of new territories all over the world. Spain's empire, under Philip II in the late 16th century, extended to Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. This was also a time of excellence in literature, music and the visual arts.

It was the first time for me to see music and dance from Spain's Goldern Age, and I enjoyed their excellent performances. Bravo!! Bravo!!

New Bags

2012-01-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

I am crearing new bags this week, and would like to show some pictures

before I will list them on my handbag page.

Please check out my website later!

The style of the bag is called Ruffle Pouch.

Nishijin Brocade

Chirimen Fabric

Chinese Brocade

Chinese Silk Brocade

New Year Dance Performance in Okinawa

2012-01-11T04:54:00.000-08:00

昨日のResoboxでのお稽古は楽しいものでした。
生徒さんたちは、とても真剣に沖縄舞踊を習ってくれていますので、わたしも教え甲斐があります。また来週の火曜日もお稽古がんばりましょう。新しい生徒もどんどん気軽に参加してみてください。お待ちしています。

今日は、沖縄県で開催されたベテラン舞踊家たちによる舞踊公演の報告です。
毎回、新報さんの記事読ませていただいていますが、今日もコピーさせてもらいました。
宮城流２代目家元能造先生の「かせかけ」も実に美しいです。

新春祝い華麗に舞う　琉舞名人選、２８人競演2012年1月11日

軽やかに舞う船越節子の雑踊「取納奉行」＝７日、浦添市の国立劇場おきなわ
小道具を丁寧に扱い古典女踊「かせかけ」を舞う宮城能造＝８日、浦添市の国立劇場おきなわ
二才踊「麾」で２本の麾を使い、きびきびと舞う花岡勝子＝７日、浦添市の国立劇場おきなわ
息の合った動きで創作「真津がま」を舞う比嘉美好（左）、金城光子＝８日、浦添市の国立劇場おきなわ

　国立劇場おきなわ企画公演「新春琉舞名人選」が７、８の両日、浦添市の同劇場で行われた。県指定無形文化財「沖縄伝統舞踊」保持者２８人が踊り手として古典舞踊や雑踊、創作舞踊で競演し、新年の門出を祝う華やかな舞台となった。
　踊り手と演目は７日が海勢頭あける「かぎやで風」、大城和子「女こてい節」、島袋恵美子「稲まづん」、花岡勝子「麾（ぜい）」、島袋君子「本嘉手久」、安次富紀子「諸鈍」、眞境名結子「高平良万歳」、又吉世子「前の浜」、金城道枝「むんじゅる」、池原勝子「鳩間節」、船越節子「取納奉行」、漢那七子「思い加那よー」、山田多津子「本花風」。
　８日は玉城靜江・嘉数紀美子「かぎやで風」、金城千壽子「女こてい節」、山城洋子「作田」、高江洲清勝「麾」、宮城能造「かせかけ」、宜保雅子「天川」、渡久地美代子「高平良万歳」、我那覇則子「むんじゅる」、金城清一「前の浜」、宮里敏子「浜千鳥」、玉城千枝「取納奉行」、比嘉美好・金城光子「真津がま」、比嘉涼子「花風」。
　両日とも１２題を披露し、うち「かぎやで風」「女こてい節」など７題は同じ演目。流派や踊り手による違いが出る演目もあり、興味深かった。分かりやすい例が「麾」。玉城流の高江洲は１本の麾を使うのに対し、渡嘉敷流の花岡が２本。きびきびとした動きの中でもそれぞれ特徴が出た。
　一人踊りが続く中、比嘉・金城の「真津がま」は島一番の美女・真津がまに言い寄る男たちを描き、２人の呼吸を合わせたコミカルな動きで楽しませた。
　各出演者は長い芸歴で培った技芸を発揮し、観客を楽しませた。一部の演目で力みや動きの硬さを感じる場面もあった。（古堅一樹）

Cherries blossoming in California

2012-01-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

My cherry blossom report is starting today.
How exciting that this season has already arrived (although not in New York yet)! Today, I am going to show some pictures of cherries blossoming that I received from a friend in California.

今年も桜の開花情報をお知らせする時期になりました。

今日は、カリフォルニアに住む友人から届いた写真を紹介しましょう。

シャバラム公園の桜

Kumiodori of Okinawa

2012-01-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

今日は、沖縄伝統芸能のひとつである組踊（くみおどり）についてお話いたします。

組踊は沖縄を代表する伝統芸能で2009年に国連教育科学文化機関（ユネスコ）の無形文化遺産代表一覧表に記載登録されました。1719年に琉球王朝時代の踊奉行玉城朝薫により初めて上演され、５つの組踊り演目が彼により創作されたと言われています。

組踊とは、台詞、歌（音楽ー生演奏地謡）、踊りの三要素が組み合わされた歌舞劇のことで、三つのうち、一つの要素が欠けてしまっては組踊りが成立しません。登場人物の台詞（八、八、八、六形式の歌詞を基本とする語りのような唄）と踊り（古典舞踊）そして地謡（音楽団）の生演奏とそれぞれが高度な技術が要求される舞台芸術のこと。

演目に関しては、本土の歌舞伎演目に影響を受けているようです。たとえば、歌舞伎で有名な題材に、道成寺の作品がありますが、その題材をヒントにしたのが「執心鐘入」という組踊りです。本土の歌舞伎舞踊のおどりにヒントを得たおどりも組踊りに登場しています。たとえば、琉球古典舞踊の「高平良万才」の演目ですが、組踊「二童敵打」の一場面で踊られている古典舞踊ですが、日本歌舞伎舞踊の萬歳おどりにヒントを得ているようです。琉球古典舞踊の部類に、二才おどりがありますが、黒紋付の衣装や扇の扱いかた手足の所作は、歌舞伎男おどりに影響を受けているわけです。沖縄男おどり「秋の踊り」には、日本舞踊の所作が随所に出てきます。

昭和４７年、沖縄が本土復帰すると同時（今から丁度４０年前）組踊りがわが国の優れた芸能の一つとして能楽、文楽、歌舞伎などど同じ国の重要無形文化財に指定されました。王朝時代の踊奉行らによって創作された組踊は、現在約７０余りの作品が確認されているとのこと。

玉城朝薫は、芸能に優れた才能を持ち最先端の大和芸能や文学にも精通し新作の組踊りを創作し中国からの使者をもてなす席で初演された組踊が今日に伝わっているようです。彼の代表作「執心鐘入」（男女の恋のやりとりをみごとに表現した作品として有名）の場面で唄われた台詞（琉球歌）を紹介しましょう。

宿の女：をとこ（男）生まれても、恋知らぬ者や、玉ぬさかずきの、底も見らぬ
中城若松：女生まれても、義理知らぬ者や、これど世の中の、地獄だいもの　

組踊は、国立劇場などで上演されているわけですが、プロの組踊役者さんにより上演されている組踊以外の演目で、沖縄各地域で継承されている組踊演目も数多く存在しています。
今日は、各島々村々の人々により受け継がれている組踊ナンバーを紹介することにしましょう。

名護市屋部に伝わる大川敵打、久志の按司、本部大主、国吉之比屋など。1865年首里から伝わった、うくわんしんうどうい（御冠船踊）が元。１９９１年に県の無形文化財に登録。

読谷村喜名に伝わる忠臣護佐丸は、内戦時代（１５世紀初頭）に中山地区で活躍した歴史上の人物護佐丸に纏わる物語。１９０６年に初演以来１００年以上も地域で演じられている。

八重瀬町に伝わる身替忠女は、１８世紀の作品。

竹富島に伝わる種子取祭は、６００年以上の歴史がある国の重要無形文化財。
竹富島の種子取祭りで踊らている。

多良間島に伝わる八月踊りは、旧暦の８月８日に踊られている国の重要無形文化財に登録。

日本全国には、沖縄の組踊りのような普段国立劇場などで上演されていない地域で伝承されている文化財的歌舞劇が多く存在しています。日本旅行をする際には、このような文化財を見学をしながら旅行するのもよいかもしれません。多良間の８月おどりは、是非いつか見学に行ってみたいお祭りの一つです。

今日は、がらっと気分を変えてクラシック音楽ピアノリサイタル観賞にでかけます。
音楽会の感想は、また次の機会に改めて報告します。

Collaboration of Henmen (Chinese Traditional Dance) & Okinawan Traditional Dance

2012-01-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

今朝、読谷村に住む同期生と新年の挨拶がてら電話で話をしていたら、いつものように芸能ばなしにはながさいたのです。読谷村座喜味地区に所在する沖ハム総合食品株式会社で勤めている同期生からは、今週末に、沖ハムがスポンサーを勤める伝統舞踊公演の裏ばなしなども聞くことができました。

沖ハム会社は、２年置きに伝統芸能舞台公演のスポンサーをしている会社でして、今回の舞台公演は、中国の国技「変面」の舞踊家１５名ほどを招待しての舞踊公演だそうです。

舞台出演は、県立芸術大学生OB会１５０名に加え、舞踊団そして太鼓舞踊団など総勢２００名以上による２時間の大舞台とのこと。本部（もとぶ）地区の町民会館と中部地区のコンベンションセンター（２千人収容劇場）にての２日間（昼夜公演）で、なんと一万人の観客を集めるという、そのパワーはすごいです。ちなみに、チケットは、沖ハム商品の土産付きだそうです。

中国の伝統芸能「変面」との沖縄舞踊共演は初めてのトライなのでしょうか。
一国の伝統舞踊公演のみならず、モダンバレエとの共演を実現するなど、現存するさまざまな多元的スタイルのダンスとの舞台共演を積極的に開催している沖縄舞踊界は面白い。

では、作品内容は、こちらの琉球新報の記事でご紹介します。

中国舞踊＋琉舞＝観光資源　華僑華人商工連が企画2012年1月6日

一瞬で表情が変わるマスクが特徴の中国の伝統舞踊「変面」
変面と琉球舞踊との融合をきっかけとした観光振興に期待する日本沖縄華僑華人商工連合会の張險峰会長（前列右）ら＝５日、琉球新報社

　中国と沖縄の経済的・文化的な交流の深化を目指し昨年発足した日本沖縄華僑華人商工連合会（張險峰会長）は、中国・四川省の伝統的な舞踊「変面」と琉球舞踊を融合した新たな観光商品の開発を企画している。文化的な交流促進を通し、県産品のＰＲも進め、観光振興、産業振興に結び付けることが目的。県内のホテルなどと連携したい意向で、中国富裕層を中心に県外の観光客らをターゲットとしている。
　「変面」は四川省に伝わる舞踊「川劇（せんげき）」の中で、最も代表的なもの。役者が顔に手を当てた瞬間に仮面が変わる。一瞬で怒りや恐れ、絶望など喜怒哀楽を次々と表現し、観客を魅了していく。
　日本沖縄華僑華人商工連合会では春休みや夏休みなどの一定期間、四川変面雑技団のメンバーを県内に滞在させ、琉球舞踊と連動した舞台をホテルやショッピングセンターでのイベント、文化学習の催し物などで披露したい意向。
　５日、琉球新報社を訪れた張会長は「中国と沖縄の文化が融合したステージを世界に発信したい。新しいエンターテインメントとして観光資源へと成長させたい」と意欲を見せた。変面を中心とする劇団「四川絶技表演藝」の団長で、四川省の首都成都市でイベントプロモーションも手掛ける魏飛氏は「交流は非常に楽しみ。文化を知ることをきっかけに中国でも沖縄への関心がより広がるはずだ。沖縄の観光振興に協力したい」と話した。
　７、８の両日、オキハム３５周年イベントとして玉城流翔節会などが出演する公演で、スペシャルゲストとして魏氏らが出演。変面の沖縄初舞台を披露する。
　１９日の那覇市内のホテルで開かれる同連合会新春の集いでも張会長の県産品販売に関する特別講演のほか、変面も披露する。張会長は「文化交流はもちろん、県産品の販売増大に向けたシステムづくりを支援したい。多くの観光関連業者に参加してほしい」と呼び掛けた。変面や新春の集いの問い合わせは同連合会（電話）０９８（８６８）７６４８。

Yomitan Village to Promote Tourism with Karate

2012-01-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

My home town Yomitan village is recognized as a center of Okinawan culture, which organizes and hosts for many international and domestic events including an International Karate Tournament. I am so proud to inform of the recent article that appeared in the Ryukyu Shimpo (as below).

This year, I will report on Okinawan culture in my blog as often as I can.

From March 2012 Yomitan Murasaki Mura will promote tourism with karate

On December 16 at the Prefectural Government Offices, Shingo Kuniyoshi, Planning Manager of the Yomitan Kukuru Resort announces a tourism promotion model project utilizing branding of Okinawan karate.

December 17, 2011 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 16 at the Prefectural Government Offices, representatives of Yomitan Kururu Resort Okinawa, which manages the Taiken Okoku Murasaki Mura in Yomitan, met with executives from four other firms and announced that they will commence a model project to promote tourism by building a brand that utilizes Okinawa’s traditional karate. From March 2012, based in Murasaki Mura, they will commence three projects including a company orientation program with karate, karate trial lessons, and a karate show in conjunction with Ryukyuan dance.
This is a prefectural 2011 industry collaboration model project and the total cost is 35 million yen. Thirteen employees have been newly hired for the project.
At Murasaki Mura, about 1000 people each year, mostly students on school excursions, experience the existing karate trial course. Collaborating with tour companies, Murasaki Mura wants to attract company trips and to increase the use of company orientation programs that use karate. On December 21, there will be a trial company orientation.
The story-telling karate show, which is based on aspects of the history of Okinawa including the Satsuma invasion and the Battle of Okinawa, is produced by a Ryukyuan Performing Arts producer, Michihiko Kakazu. Jungo Matsuda karate shihan master from the World Oshu-kai Kobayashi-ryu Kobudo Renmei, who instructs karate for the show said, “The show embraces the history and culture of Okinawa. There is a philosophy of accepting rather than defeating an opponent. I would like to promote this good philosophy of life more to Okinawans, Japanese and people overseas.
Toru Iketani, division director from Roots, which is in charge of the company orientation program using karate, stated, “The spirituality of traditional karate can be utilized in business. We would like companies from other prefectures to come to Okinawa for their orientation programs and hopefully help promote those industries locally. Companies in Okinawa may also use the program.”
Tamotsu Ganaha, director from Vision Project that handled the model project, said, “Although there is a difficult aspect to connecting tradition with business, using the karate show as the main source of revenue and appealing to tourists with the orientation programs, we would like to draw attention to tourism and eventually even attract people from overseas.”
(English translation by T&CT, Megumi Chibana and Mark Ealey)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody!

新年のお慶びを申し上げます。
今年は獅子ごとく力強く舞いたいと思います。

I would like to introduce a poem of one of the classical dances

to celebrate the New Year!

(琉歌）

Tuchiwa Naru Matsi Nu

Kawaru Kutu Nesami

Ichin Haru Kuriba

Irudu Masaru

常盤なる松ぬ

変わるくとうねさみ

いちん春来りば

色どまさる

（和歌）

Tokiwa Naru Matsu No Midori Mo

Haru Kure Ba

Ima Hitoshio No

Iro Masari Keri

常盤なる松の緑も

春くれば

今ひとしおの

色まさりけり

(English)

The evergreen pine tree

Remains forever

Spring comes

The deeper green it gets

Thank you frineds for your e-cards.

We hope you have healthy and prosperous year!

Reviewing the Year of 2011

2011-12-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

２０１１年を振り返ってみて今年は、印象に残る舞台公演など大変に恵まれた一年でした。

４月には、初めてカーネギー・ワイルリサイタルホールの舞台で主役の「はな」役で舞踊を演じさせて頂きました。

昨年１０月、ＮＹ市内にお住まいの作曲家斎藤リヨさんより「禅」と題する自作の曲に沖縄古典風の創作舞踊を手がけてほしいとの依頼をいただきました。ピアノとバイオリン演奏による禅の曲は、とても美しく、創作を引き受けさせていただこうと考えたのでした。

その後、創作の仕事を引き受けてもよろしいでしょうかと能松会主に相談をしてみたところ、先生は寛大な心をお持ちの方で、一言で、「やっていいですよ」と返事をしてくださいました。

マダムバタフライとういうオペラ歌劇の中で、主役の「はな」役に抜擢してくださった斉藤さん、そして創作の仕事を了承してくださった能松先生には、感謝でいっぱいです。

カーネギーホール公演では、世界の舞台で活躍されているオペラ歌手、ピアニスト、バイオリニストなど、一流の西洋音楽家に混じっての演舞は、たった６分間とはいえども、わたしにとっては、一生に一度あるかないかのご縁だというように思えます。

さて、恒例のイベントとしては、２００９年から招待して頂いています、クイーンズの図書館での９０分間沖縄芸能に関するレクチャーは、例年通り６月から８月にかけて３箇所の図書館のブランチで開催させて頂きました。

４月の花見公演は、今年もコネチカット州フェアーフィールド・カウンティーの日本人協会会長坂牧さんのご招待により沖縄舞踊雑おどりと三線民謡歌を披露、また震災義援金集めなども協力させて頂きました。

新しい活動としては、９月にニューメキシコ州アルバカーキーのステイト・フェアーに参加させて頂きました。能松会ニューメキシコ支部担当の早苗先生やご主人のボブさんには大変にお世話になりました。他州からジョイントした能松会のメンバーの方々、アルバカーキの、うちなーんちゅの方々ともお会いする機会が持て久しぶりのうちなーぐちでの会話は、おもわず里帰りしたかのような肝心温まるパーフォーマンス・ツアーでした。

それから、１１月よりレゾボックス・アート・ギャラリーで、教室をオープンさせていただいています。ギャラリー責任者田代さん、プログラム担当の池澤さんは、日本文化普及に関心を持たれ沖縄文化普及活動にも協力してくださり大変に嬉しく思っています。

いろいろな方々にお世話になりつつ、一歩前進できた年だったように思います。

来る年が皆様にとってよき年となりますよう心よりお祈り申しあげます。

A famous Okinawan Play Performer Mr. Kochu Makishi has passed away

2011-12-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Yomitan village and used to go out to see Okinawan Theater plays (Uchina Shibai in Okinawan dialect). Okinawan Shibai became a huge hit in commercially in the late 19th century. My uncle Y. Kamiya was a Shibai actor, which is why I used to watch many theater plays via TV and the theater groups called Mura Shibai (村芝居）that came to my village 。

One of greatest Theater actors, his name was Kochu Makishi, passed away last week; he was 88 years old. I have never forgotten his appearance on the stage. I probably went to see theater plays because of his appearance; I wanted to see his handsome face. I was probably 8-10 years old when he was at the peak of his career as an actor. My grandmother used to ask me, "why you go to see Shibai evey time they are playing theaters near us? You won't remember their stories forever, you know," but I didn't care about that, and rushed to the theaters anyway to see Kochu Makishi's play. I was too young to understand the story, but I was big fan of Kochu Makishi. I may not remember any of the stories, but I will never forget Mr. Makishi's handsome charanctors.

He was a member of Sango Za, which included 6 highly-skilled full Kumiodori actors and dancers including Nozo Miyagi, the ground master of the Miyagi Ryu School.

There is a saying that "Nothing will last the same way forever." However, I hope that Okinawan Shibai and Hogen (dialect) will last forever. Mr. Makishi once said about Okinawan Shibai, "unless actors understand the dialect, his or her acting will be souless, and this kind of souless acting will disappear some day." What a powerful comment, I totally agree with his comments.

Nowadays, many dancers and actors trying to manipulate audiences by imitating the Okinawan performing arts all over the world. The truth is, I am not so impressed by those imitating our performing arts, and neither are audiences. Soulless performances can't last long. He left a message saying "do not forget your own language" and passed away.

Mr. Makishi was devoted to performing in Okinawan plays, according to the article. He was designated as important intangible cultural Asset of Okinawa Prefecture as a Kumiodori member. He also taught Okinawa Shibai and Okinawan dialect at the University of Ryukyu.

Learning the Okinawan dialect is so important to me as an Okinawan traditonal dancer. Let's try to learn Okinawan dialect from now on.

Here is a copy of the article on Kochu Makishi from the Okinawan newspaper Ryukyu Shimpo:

文化

2011年12月19日 09時24分

　沖縄演劇界の重鎮で、国の重要無形文化財「組踊」保持者の真喜志康忠さんが亡くなった。戦前戦後を通して芝居に情熱を注ぎ、役者一筋を貫いた生涯だった。

　「戦前からのウチナー芝居を進化させた」「芝居のために生きた人だった」―その役者魂に触れた多くの芸能・文化関係者が、「巨星」の死を悼んだ。

　康忠さんは生前、沖縄芝居の根幹をなすウチナーグチの衰退に危機感を抱いていた。「言葉を忘れた芸能は形骸である。形骸には魂がない。魂のない芸能はいずれ滅ぶであろう」と本紙の連載で指摘している。

　康忠さんが芝居の世界に入ったのは、数え年９歳の時だ。役者見習いとして、劇団珊瑚（さんご）座に入団した。小学校卒業と同時に、住み込み座員となる。一時、真楽座などで活躍し、戦後の１９４９年、自身の劇団「ときわ座」を旗揚げする。

　戦火で灰じんに帰し、娯楽に乏しかった沖縄で、沖縄芝居は大衆の人気を得た。戦後、雨後の筍（たけのこ）のように各地に劇団が設立された。康忠さんは、大伸座の大宜見小太郎さんとともに人気の双璧をなした。軽妙洒脱（しゃだつ）な芸が持ち味の小太郎さんに対し、康忠さんは剛毅な演技が魅力だった。

　琉球処分を題材にした「首里城明渡し」（山里永吉作、３０年初演）が戦後上演された際、康忠さんは親中国派の亀川親方、小太郎さんが親日派の宜湾親方を演じた。時勢にあらがって琉球処分への抵抗を試みる亀川親方の役は、康忠さんのはまり役と評価され、多くの人に感銘を与えた。

　芝居の道に入り、下積み時代、まず担ったのは「幕頭（マクガミー）」と呼ばれる幕引きの仕事だった。

　一見、簡単そうだが、余韻を残して静かに幕を引く場面もあれば、立ち回りが終わりさっと幕を引く場面もある。「芝居の幕は、単に客席と舞台を区切るだけのものでなく、芝居の出来・不出来に直接関係する」とこだわった。

　幕引きをしながらたくさんの芝居を覚え、その後も先輩たちの芸を徹底して観察した。観察眼を身に付け、稽古を重ねることで、芸を身に付けていった。

　芝居への情熱は、国内外の文学作品を素材に新作を精力的に発表し、後進の育成にも力を注いだことからもうかがえる。復帰前後は、組踊立方としても活躍。８０年代は、作家の大城立裕さんや演出家の幸喜良秀さんらと沖縄芝居実験劇場の役者として、新しい時代の沖縄芝居に挑んだ。

　まさに「演劇の鬼」である。

　晩年も、芝居への情熱は衰えることはなかった。

　９０年から２００２年まで琉球大学で講義を担当し、口立てで伝えられてきた沖縄芝居の脚本のテキスト化に、学生たちとともに取り組んだ。その数７０作品余り。近代以降の激動の歴史の中で、庶民に親しまれてきた沖縄芝居の貴重な資料だ。

　舞台を通して人々を楽しませ、慰め、力づけてきた康忠さんは、最後までウチナーグチにこだわり続け、自分たちの言葉を忘れるな、というメッセージを残して、逝った。

Report on Lecture of Okinawan Performing Arts

2011-12-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

I offered a lecture on Okinawan Performing Arts to students of CUNY. The lecture was held at Resobox studio and 17 students and a professor at the college joined my lecture. I also demonstrated dance and Sanshin performance as well as offering dance workshop and Sanshin workshop at the lecture.
My dance student and Sanshin performer Ms. Nagano handled the Sanshin workshop. Three students tried the Sanshin workshop and they all mastered a simple tune and performed after only a 20-minute trial lesson. It is amazing to see how those students could master the music in such a short time, even though it was the first time any of the three students ever played the Sanshin instrument.
Here are some pictures from yesterday's lecture.

昨晩、レゾボックス・アート・ギャラリーにて、初回のレクチャーを開催しました。
わたしのレクチャーは、琉球伝統芸能の歴史、沖縄方言、舞踊と三線歌の実演そして舞踊と三線のワークショップなど、沖縄文化に関する総括的なプログラム内容です。

New Bags

2011-12-01T04:29:00.000-08:00

Happy December !
I would like to introduce pictures of bags which I created last week. Please enjoy them.

To order my bags, please visit website http://www.junkofisher.com/.

Cotton Cherry Blossom

Chinese character gold brocade

Blue Chirimen fabric with purple chirimen border

Ryukyu Bingata fabric & Obi

This little kimono is not for sale.

I will list this bag in my website soon!

I will list this bag to my website soon!

I braided the same fabric to form the handles.

The flat bags can be used big clutch holding in half.

I also can make tote with the flat bag. Amazing bag!

Ryukyu Shimpo Artilce

2011-12-01T03:55:00.000-08:00

I would like to inform an article in Ryukyu Shimpo, one of the major newspapers in Okinawa.
The story is about a music recital hosted by me held on October 16th.

【アメリカ】沖縄の島　歌で紹介　ニューヨークで音楽会2011年11月28日

リサイタルを終えた（後列左から）久保順さん、東間ゆりさん、（前列左から）長野智佳さん、長浜順子さん＝ニューヨーク・クイーンズ地区

　静かな琉球民謡ブームが起きているニューヨーク・クイーンズ地区で、このほど読谷村出身で宮城流能松会所属の長浜順子フィッシャーさんら女性３人による「日本と沖縄の音楽会」が開かれた。琉球芸能指導者が数少ないアメリカ東部方面で、順子さんは指導と普及に懸命だ。
　順子さんは、今回の音楽会を「島々の歌」とテーマを決め、宮古の方言（宮古ぐち）、八重山の方言（やいまくとうば）、沖縄本島の方言（うちなーぐち）とともにそれぞれの島の文化を紹介し、ソロの三線と唄で、「多良間しょんがね」、「ついんだら節」を披露した。
　古典三線演奏は野村流優秀賞受賞で、神奈川出身の長野智佳さんが仲風節、月ぬ美しゃ、安里ーやをソロで、笛とフルートを久保順さん（ジュリアード音楽大卒、現在ニューヨークコンサバトリー音大にてフルート講師）が、砂山、夕焼け小焼けをフルートで演奏した。
　後半は、３人によるコラボレーションとして長野さんと順子さんの三線共演で、国頭ジントーヨ、パラダイスうるま島を披露。フィナーレは、てぃんさぐぬ花（長野の三線、久保の笛、長浜の歌）で締めた。東日本大震災の被害に遭われた方々を慰める歌として、順子さんは「故郷」を選曲し、久保さんのフルート演奏にのせて、観客も交えて合唱した。歌っている最中、ある日本人の男性が、客席で目頭を押さえる姿も見られた。
　司会はボストン在住で、母が沖縄出身（母親もボストン在住）沖縄２世の東間ゆりさんが担当。車で片道４時間かけて司会のために、ニューヨークまで足を運んだ。
　順子さんは「古典と民謡を上手に歌えて演奏できる人は、ニューヨークでは極めて少なく、民謡系の人が圧倒的に多い。私自身、今回のプログラム開催に関しては大変満足している」と感想を述べた。
（当銘貞夫通信員）

Opera Performance in Queens, New York

2011-11-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

Today, I went to see a classical opera performance as a part of a project called Sounds of Arts Festival 2011 held in Long Island City, New York. I am not familiar with opera songs, but I enjoyed their singing very much. The four women sung operatta songs; Apres un Reve, Come Again Sweet Love, Voi Che Sapete, Kind Fortune Smiles - Arel's Song, Widmung, Che Faro Senza Duridice, Danza Danza, Le Berceaux, American Lullby, Per La Gloria from 'Griselda', Adieu, Vecchia Zimarro Senti from 'La Boheme'. The Piano for all songs was played by Serina Shimizu. Ludwing van Beethoven - Romance Po.40 and Carmen Fantasy was peformed on violin by Chie Yoshimura. There were exhibitions of kimono, make up and hair dressing after the music performances.

It was very interested to see how various arts disciplines collaborate in different ways to present a show.

Performance by Masters of Okinawan Dance

2011-11-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

沖縄舞踊各流派の会主が一同に会する舞台が見れないのはまことに残念。あーあ、ニューヨークに住む私にとって沖縄は遠し。琉球新報の記事をコピーさせていただきました。おゆるしください。

熟練の技芸で魅了　「沖縄伝統舞踊」保持者公演2011年11月16日

気迫あふれる「高平良万歳」を舞う渡久地美代子＝１２日、浦添市の国立劇場おきなわ
女心がにじむ「天川」を踊る玉城静江
躍動感あふれる「鳩間節」で公演を締めくくった高江洲清勝
愛する人と別れる切なさを感じさせる「花風」を舞う比嘉涼子

　県指定無形文化財「沖縄伝統舞踊」保持者でつくる沖縄伝統舞踊保存会（山田多津子会長）主催の２０１１年度（第１５回）「沖縄伝統舞踊」保持者公演が１２日、国立劇場おきなわで行われた。昼と夜の２回公演で計２８人が出演し古典舞踊や雑踊を舞った。熟練の技芸で魅了し、地謡も味わい深い音楽で合わせた。
　演目は昼が女こてい節（又吉世子）、かせかけ（花岡勝子）、稲まづん（嘉数紀美子）、前の浜（眞境名結子）、瓦屋（宜保雅子）、伊野波節（漢那七子）、花風（比嘉涼子）、柳（宮城能造）、作田（島袋恵美子）、天川（海勢頭あける）、加那ヨー（山城洋子）、鳩間節（宮城豊子）、秋の踊（金城千壽子）、諸屯（山田多津子）、高平良万歳（渡久地美代子）。
　夜は女こてい節（金城道枝）、稲まづん（大城和子）、麾（ぜい）（金城光子）、瓦屋（船越節子）、伊野波節（安次富紀子）、本花風（我那覇則子）、作田（古謝弘子）、天川（玉城静江）、下り口説（金城清一）、加那ヨー（池原勝子）、花風（比嘉美好）、諸屯（玉城千枝）、鳩間節（高江洲清勝）。
　同じ演目でも踊り手によって違いが出る個性を感じられ、興味深かった。視線や体のこなしから女心がにじむ古典女踊りや、力強さや気迫を感じさせる二才踊りなど熟練した舞が続いた。ただ、中にはもう少し曲調に合わせた軽やかさやめりはりがほしいと感じる例もあった。（古堅一樹）

Today's Recital

2011-11-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for coming to our recital today. I hope to see you all at our next show!

Japanese Okinawan Music Recital

at Lotus Music and Dance

ニューヨークのマンハッタン島２７丁目（６番街と７番街）にあるロータス音楽舞踊スタジオにて、３回目の公演を開催しました。ロータス音楽舞踊は、インド舞踊やフラメンコなど世界各国の伝統舞踊家を抱えるニューヨーク唯一の伝統音楽舞踊を紹介する非営利団体です。
アジア系では韓国と中国の舞踊家が登録しワークショップなどを提供しています。
舞踊講師の殆どが現地生まれで純粋なる伝統芸能を目指す団体ともいえます。
ハワイ生まれの講師によるフラダンスとウクレレのクラスもあります。

ダンスのメッカのニューヨーク市では様々な舞踊公演が開催されています。
インドネシア舞踊団、インド舞踊団、中国舞踊団と、アジア系の舞踊団も
存在する中で、沖縄県の重要無形文化財の舞踊を推進する舞踊団体が存在していません。
それどころか、
沖縄県出身で沖縄舞踊活動を行っている人材が私以外存在していなことも
沖縄伝統芸能がニューヨークで確立されてきていない理由の一つだという気がしています。
どのようにすれば
沖縄舞踊が、インドやアジアの舞踊と対等に発展させることができ得るのか、
課題は山積しています。

ロータスは、Drums Along the Hudson（アメリカン・インディアン祭）を毎年５月に主催しています。

Rehearsal

with Satoka and Jun

with today's host Yuri san

I was happy that Ms. Kamara, the director of Lotus Music and Dance, said

"it was a great show".

プログラム：

仲風節

Nakafu Bushi

月ぬ美しゃ・安里ーや

Tsuki Nu Kaisha/Asado-ya

多良間しょんがに

Tarama Shongani

砂山・夕焼けこやけ

Sunayama/Yuyake Koyake

ついんだら節

Tsundara Bushi

国頭ジントーヨ

Kunjan Jinto-yo

パラダイスうるま島

Paradise Uruma Jima

てぃんさぐぬ花

Tinsagu Nu Hana

故郷

Furusato

Preview of the Music Recital

2011-11-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

I will offer a Japanese & Okinawan Music Recital this Saturday. Please join us.

Jun Kubo (fue, flute) holds degrees from the Julliard School, the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cinncinati, and New York University and has performed at major stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Satoka Nagano (Sanshin, singing) trained at the Nomura Ryu Ruykyu classical music school in Japan for more than 10 years, and has performed Sanshin at the National Theater in Okinawa, and other stages in Kamakura and Kawasaki, Japan will join me for the recital.

We will introduce Japanese folk song "Yuyake Koyake", Ryukyuan classical song "Nakafu Bushi", Yaeyama minyo song "Tsundara Bushi" and Miyako minyo song "Tarama Shonkani" and many other folk songs of Islands of Japan.

Date: Saturday Nov. 12, 2011, 2:00 pm

Location: Lotus Music and Dance

109 W. 27th Street (between 6th and 7th) NYC

212-627-1076

Admission fees: $15 ($10 for members) Seating is first come first serve !

Jun Kubo

Satoka Nagano

Junko Fisher

Open the Okinawan dance school

2011-11-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, Happy November !

I will begin my class of Okinawan dance at 6:30 pm today! If you would like to join the first FREE lesson, please contact http://www.resobox.com/ to register in advance.

芸術の秋如何お過ごしでしょうか。本日夕方６時半より沖縄舞踊教室を開講いたします。
初回のレッスンは、無料です。教室参加は、どうぞレゾボックスまでご連絡お願いします。
お待ちしています。

You can contact me to register, too:

Website: http://www.junkofisher.com/

Telephone: 718.631.2637

E-mail: Junko@Junkofisher.com

Sanshin Night in Queens, New York

2011-10-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Larry and I went to see the first Sanshin Recital organized by Ryu-kaji Sanshin club at Resobox. Everybody at the recital sung Okinawan songs and performed Sanshin very nicely. I was impressed with all of the performers because they didn't use Kun-Kun-Shi (music sheets) for their performances at all. The Sanshin group performed 17 songs.
Almost 60 people gathered at the Resobox to see the recital, and the studio was almost full.
They served Orion beer (Okinawa's "Beer of Beers") and danced Kachashi in the end.
I enjoyed their performances very much. It was definately memorable night.

今晩、ニューヨーク、クイーンズ在住の三線クラブ「琉風」のメンバーによる第一回三線発表会見学に行ってきました。琉風を主宰する三線教師は、名古屋出身の田口さんです。メンバー7名による三線演奏と歌は本当にすばらしかったです。

全１7演目（祝い節、安波節、安里屋ユンタ、十九の春、なりやまあやぐ、娘ジントーヨ、南の島、永良部百合の花、肝がなさ、かたみ節、ハイサイおじさん、国頭ジンーヨ、めでたい節、月の美しゃ、てぃんさぐぬ花、空よ海よ花よ太陽よ、かっちゃーし曲など）楽譜を見ずに演奏し歌っている姿には感心させられぱなしでした。

演奏者の一人、米国人男性は、三線を始めて約１年ほどだというのに、かたみ節をソロで歌うなど、数曲歌詞をまる暗記して歌って、いやー感心。かなりの素質ですね。沖縄人顔負けです。いやいや、ニューヨークでも沖縄歌三線が流行しているんですね。

今夜は、楽しませていただきました。皆さん、これからも稽古にはげんでください。

三線の夕べが終わり、全員で、かっちゃーしーをおどった後、オリオンビールをのみながらわいわい、とても楽しいイベントでしたね。

三線演奏を楽しんだ後は、仕事も忘れずに、沖縄舞踊の教室開講の紹介もさせて頂ました。
皆さん、今度は舞踊教室にも是非ご参加ください。

舞踊教室は、毎週火曜日の６時半から７時４５分です。

Please join my Okinawa dance classes: Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:45pm

Please contact http://www.resobox.com/ for booking, or contact Junko@Junkofisher.com

Collaboration of Ballet & Okinawan Traditional Dance

2011-10-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

Allow me to offer a copy of an article in Ryukyu Shimpo, one of the big newspapers of Okinawa.

I truly wanted to go back to Okinawa to see this stage performance called "Ryukyu No Kaze" - "a wind of Ryukyu," in English translation which is the performance of collaboration of Ballet dancers and Okinawan traditional dancers. Three of the top male actors/dancers/entertainers from Miyagi Ryu School, Michihiko Kakazu, Jinichi Uza and Shigeo Miyagi, are in the cast of Ryukyu No Kaze; they also perform the Kumi Odori (組踊):
(Kumiodori) http://iroha-japan.net/iroha/C03_show/11_kumiodori.html

In Okinawa, I think it is beautiful that Kumi Odori actors can perform with many performing arts groups and they are allowed to expand their creativity on their talents and perform from at venues ranging form local theaters to the National Theater of Kumi Odori. Okinawan performing arts are exciting to see, offering a wide range of dance and music styles, including Classical song and dance and folk dance and songs together on one stage, dynamically arranged to entertain both adults and children.

バレエと融合時空超え　琉球の風～琉球クリエイティブと琉球舞踊2011年10月19日

「マミドーマ」で華やかに共演するバレエダンサーと男性舞踊家たち＝１５日、宜野湾市の沖縄コンベンションセンター

　第５回世界のウチナーンチュ大会関連イベントとして１５日に宜野湾市の沖縄コンベンションセンターで開かれた「琉球の風～琉球クリエイティブと琉球舞踊」（琉球新報社主催、演出・構成＝長崎佐世、嘉数道彦）は琉球舞踊をバレエにアレンジした「琉球クリエイティブ」を披露し、琉球舞踊の原点に立ち返った男性舞踊家たちによる舞台も演じられた。双方の出演者が洋の東西を超えて沖縄の歴史をも自在に往来する共演を見せ、沖縄文化の新たな可能性を描き出した。
　「琉球クリエイティブ」はＮ・Ｓバレエ団を主宰する長崎佐世が、伝統芸能とバレエの融合が世界各地で行われていることを受け、２０年来のテーマとして取り組んできた。歌三線、太鼓などとシンセサイザーが調和する地謡に、アカバナーの飾りを手にゆったり舞う「貫花」や櫂（かい）さばきも力強い「谷茶前」などをテンポ良く踊る。「加那よー天川」は鳥に扮（ふん）した長崎真湖と、中国遼寧省出身で日本で活動するバレエダンサー高鴿（ガオ・グエ）の軽妙なやりとりが会場の喝采を浴びた。
　琉球舞踊には親泊邦彦、阿嘉修、石川直也、宇座仁一、宮城茂雄、平田智之らが出演。「長者の大主」で厳かに幕開けした。琉球王朝時代に国賓をもてなすため作られ、士族や貴族の男性だけで演じられた時代の空気を感じさせた。勇壮な「武の舞」のほか、「浜千鳥」や「海風」は海と共に暮らした琉球の人々の息吹を感じさせた。終盤の「マミドーマ」は琉球舞踊家とバレエダンサーの動きが流れるように調和。出演者が入り乱れる華やかな展開を見せる。最後は出演者が舞台を下り、来場者と共にカチャーシーを舞った。
　琉球舞踊の原点から庶民とともに発展する現在、バレエとの融合で未来の新たな可能性までを描き出す舞台に、来場者を終始引き込んだ。（宮城隆尋）

TV interview

2011-10-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today, I demonstrated some dances and workshop and Sanshin play during a TV interview. The studio where we were shooting for the TV program was Resobox, Inc. - http://www.resobox.com/.
The shooting took from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Here are a couple of photos from today' s event.
I will inform you all about the details about when the TV program will air, as quickly as they inform me.

With my students Yuri and Satoka.

Before the lesson

With director and reporter

Ryukyu Shimpo, Okinawan Newspaper, Article Coverage of Junko!

2011-10-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

I would like to inform you all of an article in the Ryukyu Shimpo written by Mr. Tome, a local reporter based on California. Mr. Tome is reporting numerous articles regarding Okinawan people living in the USA. He has written about my dance activities in the past as well.
Sorry that today's article is available in Japanese only. The article is about my dancing participation in the IYF World Camp/World Cultural Convention held September 1st in Huntington, Long Island, New York.

【アメリカ】長浜さん鳩間節披露　紅型身にまとい沖縄紹介2011年10月10日

(The people behind me in the photo are part of a Chinese Dragon Dance Team. Photo by LFisher)

各国の旗がたなびくニューヨーク州ロングアイランドで琉球芸能を演じた長浜順子フィッシャーさん

　１０周年を迎えた国際青少年連合（ＩＹＦ＝インターナショナル・ユース・フェローシップ）のワールドキャンプが、８月２９日から９月２日までの間、ニューヨーク州ロングアイランドで行われた。
　ＩＹＦワールドキャンプは、世界の若者をキャンプに参加させて、他国の文化や言語の壁を乗り越えて友愛の精神を構築し、視野を広げ、国際的リーダーを育成する目的で２００１年に初めて開催された。
　過去１０年間、６大陸４０カ国で開催。０１年に２００人ほどのボランティアで始まった同キャンプは、現在世界中に６５００人の登録者がいる。キャンプ・プログラム内容は、薬物やうつ病で病む若者の精神鑑定（専門のセラピストを招き、個人相談を行う）、指導者会議（成功例のキャンプ経験者の講演）、スポーツ・芸能・各国の伝統文化を学ぶアカデミックコースなどが主となっている。
　今年は地元ロングアイランド在住者による日本太鼓と空手のデモンストレーションの後に、長浜順子フィッシャーさん（読谷村出身）が鳩間節を踊った。オープニングで、紅型姿でアカバナを持ち、「うちなー」をソロで披露、観客に沖縄を紹介した。（当銘貞夫通信員）

Have you ever seen my dance?

2011-10-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

I just up loaded Miyagi Ryu Nosho-kai Ryukyu dance performances on YouTube, click below and enjoy them.

http://bit.ly/nEdzeO
http://bit.ly/nTl4GR
http://bit.ly/q1rjN3

My friend, Mamiko in Colorado, sent me a picture of beautiful Autumn yellow leaves.
I would like everybody share nice view in Colorado. Thank you Mamiko san for sharing this nice view with us.

New Mexico Performance Tour Part 3

2011-10-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Our performance at the State Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico was successful. I enjoyed the company very much, and Okinawan people in Albuquerque were very friendly; it felt like being home in Okinawa.

There is also an annual baloon festival held in Albuquerque during October (which started today).

I couldn't stay that long there, but went to a souvenier shop in Old Town and took some pictures of Baloons.

Albuquerque

With Gina at El Pinto restaurant

The picture one the wall behind me shows Hillary Clinton in a blue jacket, while

another picture shows President Obama. Quite a famous resturant!

Another wall photo at the El Pinto restaurant, showing former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson holding one of their smaller peppers with the owners.

Famous M restaurant in Albuquerque near mountain

Behind the stage, ready to perform

Big stage, Mexican Pavilion on Sept. 21

Albuquerque Watermelon-- the nearest mountain is called Sandia, which is Spanish for watermelon.

Post Box

Souveniers from New Mexico (note the Balloon Fiesta salsa from El Pinto!).

The New Mexico coffee is delicious.

Thank you so much for your hospitality in Albuquerque, speical thanks to Bob san for taking nice video of our performances.

That is the end.

New Mexico Performance Tour Part 2

2011-10-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

９月１７日から２２日にかけて、ニューメキシコ州アルバカーキという町で開催された州最大のお祭りステイト・フェアーで地元の能松会支部のメンバーと踊りを披露しました。アルバカーキを訪ねたのは初めてでしたが、夕陽が素晴らしいところでした。あれだけの夕陽は沖縄でも見たことがないほど美しい風景でありました。お天気よし、空気よし、湿気なしのもうしぶんない雰囲気の中で、能松会のみなさんと、なかなかーとう（楽しくなごやかに）おどることができました。ほとんどふることも無い雨だそうですが、公演を終えて早苗自宅にもどったらスコールのような大雨が降っていました。それも、１７日だけじゃなくて、２１日も私たちの演技終了後に、しばらくして空が曇ってきて雨が降りだしたのです。どういうわけなのでしょうか。
それでは、１７日と22日の写真をいくつか紹介します。Part３に写真はつずきますよ。

Junko, Gina, Noriko, Sanae at Town Fair on Sept. 17th

Kazuko and Junko at an African stage, State Fair on Sept. 22

Mamiko and Junko

Mamiko, Sanae, Kazuko

Main Stage area, State Fair

New Mexico Performance Tour Part 1

2011-10-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

Hi, Happy October. October is my birthday month.
Today I would like to show some pictures of my trip to New Mexico. I performed at annual State Fair of New Mexico (Sept. 10-Sept. 25) with the member of Nosho-kai Ryukyu Dance group in New Mexico. The sunset in Albuquerque was beautiful. Nice place to live.

Kazuko and Junko with Yotsudake (Udui Kwadesa) costume

Afternoon walking near Sanae's home. The mountain is called Sandia in Spanish

which means watermelon. The mountain looks red in the evening like watermelon.

El Pinto Mexican restaurant (uchiage party)

So spicy !

Red papers of El Pinto

Spices in a shop Chili Patch, Old Town

Textiles of Ryukyu, Okinawa

2011-09-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

my Doton Ori obi (道屯織り）

I introduced lists of textiles created in Okinawa in my last blog entry; today, I am going to introduce some links related to the textiles of Okinawa, including one to Yomitan Hanaui, the village where I grew up.

Suprisingly, a TV program called "Tsurube no Kazoku ni kanpai" （鶴瓶の家族に乾杯）last week featured Yomitan village and the Gima area, and introduced Mr. Kinjo, a well-known carving artist who lives in Yomitan; the program also featured the Yomitan Hana Ori (Yuntan Zan Hana Ui in Okinawan language) factory (読谷山花織り工房). Here are some links for Ryukyu Textiles and Murasaki Mura in Yomitan, which offer many kinds of workshops of Okinawan cultural experiences, from practicing dance to making your own Kankara sanshin and Hana Ori.

Background of Ryukyu Kasuri (琉球絣黒潮のルーツを辿る旅）:
http://www.okinawabbtv.com/culture/kougei.htm
　
Textiles of Okinawa（沖縄の工房）：http://www.churanunu.net/info/index.html

Yomitan Mura Saki Mura Taiken Ohkoku (読谷体験王国村咲きむら）:　http://murasakimura.com/
Junko's pictures at the Yomitan Mura Saki Mura taken in 2005:

Dress rehearsal

2011-09-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today I did dress rehearsals of my Zo dance costume. This kind of kimono is worn by commoners with bare feet, because those kimono are usually worn for labor.

There are many textiles originally made in Okinawa Prefecture that are worn for plays and dances in Okinawa.

Basho-fu (Banana fiber cloth); (芭蕉布), Yuntanzan Hana-ui (読谷山花織)　(raised figure weaving), Shuri-ori（首里織), Shuri Basho-fu Kimono(首里芭蕉布着物), Doton-ori fabric （道屯織), Hanakura-ori ( 花倉織), Ryukyu-gasuri (琉球絣 ), Kume-jaima tsumugi (久米島紬 ), Miyako jofu (宮古上布 ), Yaeyama jofu (八重山上布 ), Yaeyama minsa (八重山ミンサー ), Yonaguni Textiles (与那国織 ), Yonaguni Hanaori ( 与那国花織), Yonaguni minsa（与那国ミンサー）
for details : http://www.ryukyutextile.com/

今日は、ドレスリハーサル。あんぐあーもうい（女性役）の化粧と髪結の稽古は久しぶり。

Review of The Culture Convention 2011

2011-09-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today's culture convention at the 2011 IYF World Camp held in Huntington, Long Island was like a smaller version of a Yomitan Matsuri (Festival) in Okinawa. (読谷祭り・毎年１１月開催） and it was held in a field with 20 or so tens of representatives of many countries not local vendors of the Yomitan Festival. My Okinawan dance was the first program of the field performance.

Here are some pictures taken from today's event.

Chinese Lion Dance

Latin America dance, Kalinca

Junko poses with Kama, martial arts weapon

Nunchaku performance

Japanese Katana performance

Oar performance

Amazing Korean dancers.

I learned how to dance batter fly fans.

Ready to perform.　

Thank you for inviting me to the World Camp. I hope to see you again!

Opening Ceremonry of the 2011 IYF World Camp New York

2011-08-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I went to see the stage performance of the opening ceremony of the 2011 IYF World Camp New York held in Huntington, Long Island. The ceremony started at 7:00 pm. The 650-seat theater of the school was almost full, with an audience including young campers. All dancing was performed by mostly Korean young dancers. I was impressed that those dances are well choreographed and the dancers were well trained. Most of all, I was impressed by their passion to learn other countries' dances and demonstrate them at the opening ceremony to welcome young campers from all over the world. This is the first time to hold such a world camp in New York, and it was more well organized than I was expecting. I am so excited to join the stage program on Sept. 1st at their cultural convention day.

Please share some stage performances from tonight's opening ceremony.

West African dance, La Bonne Nuevelle

Righteous Stars

Korean Taekuanmu

Rusian dance, Kalinka

USA, Street dancer, I believe

Korean Fan Dance

If you are interested in seeing the stage program at the cultural convention,

please join us !

Address: 300 Nassau Rd, Huntington, New York 11743 (Manhaniaim Campus, Long Island)

2011 IYF (International Young Fellowship) World Camp New York
Time: 12:00 - 6:00pm

Behind the scenes photo album 2007-2010 Part IV

2011-08-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Rehearsal for a Queens Public library recital

April 2010

with other performers

Queens Public Library's stage

Long Island Sakura Matsuri

May 2010

with Nosho-kai members

with Kimono show models

Yukata shopping

Dressing room of the Wang Center

White Plains Sakura Sunday

May 2010

Setting up a stage for music performance

Talking with fans

My Sanshin partner, Ms. Saki talks with Ms. Kinjyo, an Okinawan

Queens Library lecture

Sunny Side Branch

June 2010

A little dancer at the library

Rehearsal in the Fire House

Harlem Street Fair

July 2010

with freind Miwa

CT Bon Festival

July 2010

with the Ohtatsu Taiko member

A Craft show in Long Island

Nov. 2010

Behind the scenes photo album 2007-2010 Part III

2011-08-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Bon festival, CT July 2009

Gracie Manshion, NYC Mayor's residence, Manhattan

Asian Artists Alliance members' gathering, May 2009

The first 90-minute lecture to be held at the Queens Library

Flushing Main street branch

150 people joined my lecture/demonstration/workshop program.

Aug. 2009

Deigo Musume, well-known Okinawan folk music group

after their Carnegie Hall performance

Sept. 2009

Karaoke night with my old freinds

in Yomitan Villge, Okinawa

Music live house

Dec. 2009

This is a typical night-out for us in Yomitan

we enjoyed drinking and singing

as well as dancing.

Junko's performance at Senaha district

town hall

Dec. 2009

Nagahama beach, Yomitan Village, Okinawa

Junko performed Sanshin and danced for

a private party

Westchester

March 2010

Behind the scenes photo album 2007-2010 Part II

2011-08-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Finale
Long Island Sakura Matsuri
May 2008

Bon Festival in CT
July 2008

with the Chairman, Mr. Sakamaki, of the Fairfield County Japanese-American Association in CT.

Kiku Festival, Bronx Botanic Gardens

Meeting with a host before the stage show

Lunch at a dressing room of the lecture hall

with a reporter, Mr. Yoshi, from Ryukyu Shimpo

Kiku viewing at the Bronx Botanic Gardens

Asian Society, Park Avenue, Manhattan

Dec. 2008

demonstrating Yotsudake castanets and dancers who joined the Asian Society's event

Bon odori lesson at the Hanami event, Greenwich Japanese School, CT April 2009

rehearsal with students

Behind the scenes photo album 2007-2010 Part I

2011-08-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

I started my blog this April, and have never taken the opportunity to introduce my activities before, so below are some photos related to my culture promotion activities during 2007 and 2010.

Japanese Association of Long Island
New Year Gala, Jan. 2007
with Ms. Yoko Ojima

Dance workshop at the New Year Gala

Dance workshop at Ryu Shu Kan Dojo,
Long Island
Lecture of songs
Feb. 2007

Dance workshop at an Elementary school in Long Island. Gerry demonstrated Taiko, Hiroko demonstrated Japanese Koto, and I demonstrated Okinawan dance to young students.
2007

Maggi Yamamoto greeted me with her friend after the LI Library Recital. 2007

LI Sakura Matsuri, the Wang Center.
Okinawan friends came to see the stage
May 2007

White Plains Sakura Festival, April 2007
Bon odori after the stage performances

Demonstration of Drum dance at the Japanese Learning Center, Westchester
2008

Long Island Asian Cultural Festival
March, 2008
I presented a handbag booth

Japanese Culture Day at an elementary school in Westchester NY
April 2008
with Ms. Helen, Fujima Ryu dance school

finale with members of Fujima Ryu dance school, April 2008

White Plains Sakura Festival
May 2008
with Ms. Eiko

Junko was interviewed by a reporter of Martial Arts magazine at the Cherry Blossom festival.

Preview of the 2011 IYF World Camp New York

2011-08-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

I will be joining the stage of the Cultural Convention next Thursday, Sept. 1st at the IYF World Camp.

There are many performers gathered from all over the world including New York for the cultural convention; here are some performances; Chinese Lion Dance, Latin America (El Sol), Europe (Kalinka), Indian Traditional Dance, Africa (Umoja), Korea (Fan Dance), Congo (Drum), Korea (Taekwonmu), Chinese Traditional song, Asia (Mahive), America, Africa (Lecho), Latin America (Buleria), Asia (Junintoiro), Africa (Umoja), Fashion Show, and Japanese Taiko group.

The Cultural Convention:
Date: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011
Time: 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. My Okinawan classical dance performance starts at 12:30 pm.
Venue: Mahanaim Campas (on auditorium stage), 300 Nassau Rd, Huntington, New York 11743 (Long Island)

The world camp has been held in 40 countries and this is the first time to be held in New York.

2011 IYF World Camp New York official site: http://www.iyfworldcamp.com/ny/　

インターナショナル・ユース・フェローシップ・ワールドキャンプについてのお知らせです。

世界４０カ国で開催されているワールドキャンプが、今年初めてニューヨークで開催されます。

キャンプ開催は、８月２9日（月曜日）から９月２日（金曜日）まで。
２9日(月曜日）午後７時より校内の劇場にて、キックオフショーが無料見学できます。
お近くの方、お時間のある方は、是非お出かけください。

９月１日開催予定のカルチャー・コンベンションの舞台で各国のダンサーたちと共演します。

Review of the lecture at Queens Library

2011-08-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you for joining my lecture program yesterday.
I was impressed with the audience that joined yesterday's program at the Briarwood branch of the Queens Library. One of my fans who lives in the Bronx joined, taking more than an hour to commute from Bronx, and one of my Japanese friends who lives in another part of Queens joined the program as well. Each time I meet with audiences in the library's program, people ask very interesting questions, and seem to know something about Ryukyu. One lady who originally comes from Korea asked me about the Okinawan flag and why it has a symbol with three circles are during Q&A session; another lady from India said that she enjoyed listening to the classical song Hyakuna Bushi, which my assistant Ms. Satoka performed beautifully, because she said she found the song very reminiscent of Indian music.
Please enjoy some pictures from yesterday's program. Thank you again for joining my program.
See you again soon!

A story of "Chaplin of Okinawa" Mr. Pu-tin

2011-08-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

**I have translated the story about Mr. Pu-tin into English because I liked to inform Pu-tin’s story.

The original Japanese article on Pu-tin was published in October, 2000 reported by Mr. Koji Kakazu, Ishikawa Local News, the Okinawa Times.**

This is a story about an Okinawan Chaplin, the entertainer Pu-tin:

Just after the end of World War II, there was a man whose nickname was Mr. Pu-tin Onaha, who visited refuge camps in Ishikawa City and sang and danced to brighten the spirits of the refugees. People referred to him as the “Chaplin of Okinawa”.

Mr. Pu-tin told the depressed, “let’s celebrate our lives” -- Nuchi Nu Gusu-ji Sabira, (命のお祝いをしましょう）in the Okinawan dialect. He entertained people and ease their minds and gave them hope.

Who was Pu-tin? What did he really say to people?

Immediately after the last battle ended off Okinawa in 1945, 30,000 Okinawan refugees were gathered in a relocation camp built by the US Army in Ishikawa City; what had been a small village with a population of 2,000 became a huge city in the span of just a few months. The camp became a sea of tents erected as temporary homes. People gathered in the Ishikawa City camp had no opportunity to rebuild the damages they had suffered in the war, but were living in the camp in order to survive as best as they could. These refugees were forced to work on military tasks and had to run around to find food, and there was no uplifting conversation to be had, even though many of the refugees were gathered together with family members and other people from their own home towns.

One day, into this depressing environment arrived a man. His name was Pu-tin.

People first noticed him when they heard his high-pitched, loud voice saying, “Let’s celebrate your life.” He then started playing Sanshin music loudly, and singing along. The people in the camp were startled by this man, who had shown up out of nowhere and started singing and dancing in funny ways. They watched him gambol about, quietly, but after a few moments they started dancing along with the entertainer. In 1945, Pu-tin was 48 years old, and he traveled from place to place to entertain Okinawans.

The well-known singer/comedian Mr. Rinsuke Teruya became a student of Pu-tin years later. Rinsuke Teruya said, in an interview about the late Pu-tin. “Pu-tin had the power and talent to give people happiness and made them smile, even they were suffering from the loss of their loved ones in the War.” Rinsuke recalled Pu-tin’s comment: “Let’s celebrate; we, the living, must dance and sing for our losses and rebuild Okinawa.”

Pu-tin went to all kinds of gatherings and entertained many people. He became popular to all, and people started to ask him to “please come to my party and entertain us.” As a result of Pu-tin’s entertaining, many people’s networking circles become larger.

Pu-tin performed not only on Sanshin, but also played the mandolin and piano. His style of performing was to instantly rearrange classical stories. On the other hand, Pu-tin’s stories featured political issues and were critical on the social issues. Later, people started calling Pu-tin “the Okinawan Chaplin”.

Pu-tin was born in 1897 (Meiji era). He attended Nippon Shika (Dental) School (now known as Nippon Shika Daigaku) in Tokyo, studied Asakusa Mandan （浅草漫談）and introduced Mandan-style talk into Okinawa, where he is known as “an Original” of Ryukyu Mandan.

Pu-tin told his audience, “this is the end of people above us laughing down at us. We must keep it up-side-down now and we have to see what is going on in the world seriously, but we judge them and sometime we must laugh at the people above us.” Pu-tin’s storytelling with lots of laugh gave hope and happiness to his audiences, while giving them a new, uplifting, perspective. People needed to laugh and, most of all, needed to see great entertainment to be happy.

I wonder if my grandfathers knew of Pu-tin; I assume they did not, since they were too young to see Pu-tin perform. My grandfathers were forced to fight and die in the Okinawan battle.

Preview of the program on Aug. 18th at Queens Library

2011-08-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

This is a preview of the program of lecture and demonstration of Okinawan dance and music at Briarwood branch, Queens Library, starts at 6:00 pm on August 18.
I also will offer a dance workshop and kimono dressing. Please join us.

1. Ryuka ( 琉歌) Song for welcoming audience

2. Dance:

Kajiyadefu (かぎやで風 ) Court dance
Nnatukui Bushi (湊くり節 ) Court dance
Nuchi Bana (貫ち花 ) Popular (Zo) dance

3. Music:

Hyakuna Bushi (百名節 ) Classical song
Kunjyan Jintoyo (国頭ジントーヨ) Folk song
Paradise Urumajima (パラダイスうるま島 ) Folk song

4. Dance Workshop

5. Kimono Workshop

Thursday, August 18th, 2011 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Briarwood Branch, Queens Library
85-12 Main Street, Queens, NY 11435

Admission is free. http://www.queenslibrary.org/

See you there!

Okinawan dance group in Colorado joins Dragon Boat Festival

2011-07-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

My PC's power supply was burned out last week. I got a new one a couple of days ago, and now I can update my blog.

Today, I would like to inform a Dragon Boat Festival to be held next Saturday, July 30. It says the biggest festival in Colorado. The dance group of the Okinawan Association in Colorado will join and perform dances at the festival. Some members of the Association will perform an Okinawan-style drum dance called "Eisa". Eisa is becoming quite popular worldwide and originally was performed during the Obon time in Okinawa. I will inform you further about Eisa on another occastion.

Meanwhile, please enjoy summer and festivals around the world.

Okinawa Kenjinkai

Okinawan Dance
Colorado Okinawa Kenjinkai (Association) marks its 37th anniversary this year. The members have learned Okinawan dances with help of Ms. Naoko Ahagon, the master dancer of the Binfukai group from Tamagusuku Dance School in Okinawa. The Kenjinkai organizes the celebrative event biennially to introduce Okinawan culture to the community, also holds New Year party and picnic annually to promote mutual friendship. They have participated actively in the Japanese cultural events in the community, such as Denver Kohaku Utagassen (Singing Competition), Bon Odori Festivals, and Asian Festival by Japan America Society of Southern Colorado.

There will be many stage performances including Denver Taiko and Okinawan Karate.
http://www.cdbf.org/performance/gateway-to-asia/2011-gateway-to-asia-performers/

Japan Benefit Concert in Yomitan, Okinawa

2011-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today, I got mail (not electronic mail) from my coursin Shoko in Okinawa. Shoko included a flyer for her brother's music concert for the benefit of Japan, which was held on June 26th. I know it is kind of late to announce the flyer on my blog. Please do not think I'm a bit silly to do so.

My coursin Akira is an opera singer who is trained in the operatic arts in Milan and Vienna. He has had numerous concerts in both Europe and Okinawa, and has acted and sung in historical opera dramas in Okinawa since 1989, including Momoto Fumiagari, Amawari and Sangoku Shi. He also directed, written music score and acted as one of the cast of a play of the operatic version of Yushiya Chiru Monogatari - a story of the well-known poet Chiru Yushiya, who was born in Yomitan. Akira has been performing solo concerts at the Ashibina Theater in Okinawa city and many on other stages in Yomitan village, Okinawa. He composes songs, and teaches piano and singing at his studio in Takashiho Yomitan.

沖縄県でオペラ音楽活動を行っている従兄弟の章にーにーは、去る６月２６日に震災ベネフィット公演を開催したようです。姉の正子ねーねーから、昨日手紙とフライヤーが届いていますが、すでに終わってしまった公演のチラシですけどお知らせします。正子ねーねーの手紙によるとコンサートは盛況だったようです。沖縄では、章にーにのコンサートが開催されるたびに母親も妹たちも美（ちゅら）すがいして（よそいきの服を着て）コンサートに出かけるんです。

ウイーンの町に住む人たちは、夕食を終えた後、毎晩のように気軽にオペラ見学に行くんだそうです。ウイーン市内で私が見学に行ったオペラ座は、ボルクス（Volks)・オペラとう名称の劇場でした。Volksはドイツ語で一般人という意味です。沖縄でも最近オペラファンが増えているようです。

Stage Costume Ryukyu Bingata Robe

2011-07-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have several Bingata robes for dance purposes and am going to change the size of a Bingata costume which my sister gave me many years ago after she decided not to continue her dance career. The Bingata costume was originally made for her body size and I have to change to my size, by which I mean I have to widen the kimono few inches. Speaking of Bingata, there are basically 7 different colors worn as costume of woman's classical dance; for example, yellow, red, pink, puple, light blue, dark blue, gray and white-based Bingata, though there are 200 examples of different bingata and eigata (indigo bngata) having been used as dance costumes.

Bingata is a traditional dying technique that originated in Okinawa Prefecture, where it's called Ryukyu Bingata. Up to the 18th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom possessed its own unique culture. The contributions of Southeast Asia and China to this cutlure are especially prominent in the bold and vivid colors and designs of Ryukyu Bingata stencil dying, which differe distinctly from traditional Japanese dying on the main island of Japan. During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, in the 15th centurym various dying techniques were brought to the Ryukyu Islands through trade with China and Southeast Asia. Subsequently, these techniques developed their own distinctive characteristics in the climate and culture of Okinawa. Today I have borrowed pictures of a kimono listed in the book called Ryukyu-Bingata Traditional Clothes of Okinawa (written in Japanese) published by Seigensha below.
This particular Bingata Robe was worn as formal dress by the Royal family during the Ryukyu Kingdom's Sho Dynasty. Today, these patterns are worn as stage costume only, or are displayed in museums.

こちらの紅型衣装写真は、琉球紅型の本よりコピーさせていただきました。黄色の紅型はもっとも高貴な衣装として宮廷で着られたようです。

数枚ある舞台用紅型衣装で、一枚妹から譲ってもらった紅型衣装を、まず妹の体のサイズに合わせて縫ってあり、私には小さいので自分で縫い変えをするため、昨日、舞台衣装製作に詳しい日本舞踊家の大西先生にお会いして縫い方を教わってきました。普段、西陣のハンドバックをデザインして縫っている私ですが、舞台衣装ともなれば自分で縫うには気がひけてしまいます。紅型衣装縫いのついでに、今日は、紅型についての歴史的な説明を加えてみたいと思います。
琉球紅型ー日本語版（青幻舎出版）から説明文を借用させていただきます。

紅型の話ー沖縄県教育長文化施設建設室主任専門員与那嶺一子さんの文より

「紅型」とは、どのような染ものであるか、技術や技法はここに至るまで長い歴史を持ち必ずしも一つの矢印で語れるものではない。多くの地からの往き来、あるいは逆戻りなど複雑な過程を経ているものである。昭和４８年、沖縄県が無形文化財として指定した「びん型」の用件には型染又は筒引きによる手工芸品である用件が明記されている。また伝統的工芸品「琉球びんがた」（昭和５９年）では、「突彫による型紙を使用し、のりによる型付け（筒引き）、又は（糊伏せ）による防染を行い彩色する」ことが指定条件になている。

ではこのような紅型は、沖縄でいつから始まったのか、これまでの研究で統一された見解は唯一、沖縄から発生した染物ではないという事である。それは、沖縄がかつて琉球と呼ばれ一つの王国を形成するさらに以前から、中国大陸、東南アジア、大和（日本）との交流、交易があり、それらの国々には既に防染による模様染物が存在していた。沖縄では染織に限らず、陶芸、漆芸などほかの工芸もまた近隣諸国から導入され、沖縄の風土に合わせて作られてきた。

紅型の模様は、大和系統と中国系統の二つに分かれ、その殆どは大和系統である。沖縄の自然の姿が模様として紅型に表れるようになるのは戦後の事である。型紙や図案を全て失い、廃墟からの再スタートは、沖縄としてのアイデンティティーを求める動きと一つとなる。ここで初めて紅型は沖縄らしさを意識し、その姿を沖縄に求めていったのである。

紅型の型紙は、その彫り方によって３種類に分類される。地を彫り抜き模様と糸掛けで繋ぐ「白地型（ジルジ）」、地を彫り残す「染地型（ジミジャー）」、白地と染地部分は半分のものを半白地（ハンジルジ）」と呼ぶ。紅型衣装の模様構成には、一枚の型紙を繰り返し使うものと、数枚以上の型紙を使うものがある。数枚以上の型紙を使うものは、一般に絵羽付けと呼ばれ、その例は、尚家の紅型衣装（重要文化財）によくみられる。

紅型を使ったものは王家から平民まで幅広い。
もちろん、数枚の型紙や舶来の染材を使う紅型は平民にまで使われていたわけではない。身分が下るに従い、その模様や色には制限があり、王家が普段に着用し小柄の藍染めには平民にとって晴れ着であった。王家にとって、正装は中国渡りで紅型着であった。例としては少ないが神女としての衣装もある。また祭りや婚礼衣装であった紺地花織の裏地としての小紋紅型も平民が着用できる数少ない例であった。

サップーウーシ（冊封使）歓待のため創作された「組踊」の初演（１７１９年）には踊衣装として「五色の長衣」を着用しているが、それが織物か、縫いか、染かは定かではない。まして紅型なのかどうかもよくわからない。

沖縄はアジア大陸に添うように弓なりに連なる島々によって構成されている。周りを海に囲まれた島に生きるが故の沖縄の人々の解放性と閉鎖性は、沖縄の文化形成に大きな意味を持ってきた。紅型の概要を眺めてみると、染めや模様構成など各面で、厳密さもあれば合理性もあり、大和風でもあり中国風でもあり、その開放性と閉鎖性は例外なく紅型の内に現れている。

Independance Day in Philadelphia Part III (colorful costume)

2011-07-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

Many countries joined the Independance Day Parade with their coloful costumes.

Independance Day in Philadelphia Part II (Okinawan Matsuri Taiko)

2011-07-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

Okinawan matsuri taiko group in Philadelphia joined the parade. Here are some pictures from yesterday's parade. The group performed drums constantly the entire parade, and was well received by street audience. I marched with them.

７月４日の建国記念日を祝いフェラデルフィア市内でパレードが開催され地元の沖縄エイサー団体がパレードに参加していました。私は始目てのフェラデルフィアの旅で、沖縄エイサーのメンバーと一緒に「道ジュネー」を体験させてもらいました。１００団体が集うパレードで、沖縄エイサーのメンバーの方々は大活躍でした。エイサーの音楽が聞こえてくると道路側に立っている見学人たちが、身を乗り出して太鼓踊りに見入っていました。笑顔で拍手をしながら見学してくれていた人たちに太鼓のメンバーは駆け寄っていき、すばやく太鼓のバチを見学人に手渡して、太鼓を叩かせたりしながら、道中をパレードすることはかなりエネルギーのいることですし、そのように見学人たちにも大サービスをする方法は今回のパレードの特徴ともいえます。マスコット人形やキャンディーを手渡しているグループもいた。パレードの最終地点に到達した太鼓のメンバーたちは、汗まみれになりながらお互いの手をつなぎ輪になって「ありがとうございました」とそれぞれをねぎらっていた。フェラデルフィアでのパレード参加は今年で３回目ということですが来年も是非出演できますようにがんばってください。私も遠くから応援しています。

４日の夜は、地元に住むラリーの友達がチャイナタウンのいきつけのレストンで夕食をご馳走してくれました。５日の朝は、ホテルの近くの中国土産品店に行き赤いタッセル付きの唐団扇とオレンジ色の日傘を土産に買う。唐団扇は、古典舞踊、そして日傘は、日傘踊りのお稽古用に使えそうです。そんなこんなで私たちの２泊３日のフェラデルフィア旅行は無事終わりました。

フェラデルフィアの皆様のホスピタリティーどうもありがとう。
Thank you for your hospitality in Philadelphia. See you again!

Celebrating Independence Day in Philadelpia Part I

2011-07-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

I spent Independence day in Philadelpia and joined the city's Independence Day parade through the historic part of the city. Philadelpia, the second capitol of the United States, celebrates its birth with a patriotic salute! Music, speeches and reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence paid tribute to the history of the USA. There were almost 100 groups participated in the Independence Day parade.

An opening ceremony before the parade was held in front of the Independence Hall

located at Franklin Square Park.

People gathered there at the park to witness the ceremony.

Many of them were tourists like me and Larry.

Flags of Philadelphia

Fundraising event for Japan at Tenri, New York

2011-07-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

My friends Kaoru Watanabe (fue and taiko) and Mana Hashimoto (dance) will be presenting their original works at the Tenri Hall on July 5th for fundraising for Japan. Other collaborations are: ryuteki, recitation, sho and film. Please join them.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 8:30pm
$10 suggested donation
Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th St. (btwn. 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY, 10011
T: 212-645-2800
http://www.tenri.org/

Review of today's performance at the Queens Library

2011-06-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Today's program at the Windsor Park branch of Queens library was full with children. They had so much fun with the demonstrations of dance and music. They even demanded more dance after the program had ended, so I gave them an extra dance workshop today. Each time I get to perform at the Library, I get to find new frineds. Today's surprise was to meet with an Okinawan lady who said she lived in the neighborhood. The Okinawan lady came with her daugther. I was so happy to meet with them and they seemed enjoyed the program very much. My program is scheduled as adult education, but the children loved the program. Dance is so international, it doesn' t really matter, children just like dancing. Each child who joined the dance workshop came to me and hugged me in the end. I wonder if they'll dream tonight of dancing. Good night!

本日のレクチャーも無事終了しました。たくさんの子供たちが参加してくれて喜んでもらったようです。私の９０分間沖縄舞踊音楽プログラムは大人用なんですが、お子さんに大うけです。子供はどこの国の子も同じです。プログラム終了後もまた踊りを教えとねだってくる子供さんが大勢でした。近所に住むうちなーんちゅのご家族も親子ずれで参加してくださいました。なんとも嬉しいことやら。本日も智佳さんには司会担当、そして三線演奏で百名節を演奏していただきました。すばらしい演奏と歌声でした。智佳さん大活躍でしたね。ありがとうございました。参加者の皆さんも大変にお疲れ様でした。それではおやすみなさい。

Preview of the program on June 30th

2011-06-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

This is preview of the program of lecture and demonstration of Okinawan dance and music at Windsor Park branch, Queens Library, starts at 6:00 pm on June 30. I also will offer a dance workshop.
Please join us.

1. Ryuka ( 琉歌) Song for welcoming audience

2. Dance:

Yotsudake (四竹 ) Classical (Court) dance
Agi Chikuten Bushi (揚竹田節) Classical (Court) dance
Kanayo (加那ヨー) Popular (Zo) dance

3. Music:

Hyakuna Bushi (百名節 ) Classical song
Chinnuku Jyushi (ちんぬくじゅーしー ) Folk song
Kunjyan Jintoyo (国頭ジントーヨ) Folk song
Paradise Urumajima (パラダイスうるま島 ) Folk song

4. Dance Workshop

Windsor Park branch:
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 718-468-8300
Admission is free. http://www.queenslibrary.org/

See you there!

Program at the North Hills Library

2011-06-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all coming to my program today.

Many people joined the program, even though it was held during the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the week. It was quite surprising that a lady who joined the program said that she used to be stationed in Okinawa and made Okinawan dolls there, and she was excited to see the Okinawan dance and costumes that reminded her old life in Okinawa. I am so happy to meet people who have lived in Okinawa, and to share their stories.

After the program was completed, a Chinese man asked me whether I performed Okinawan dance as a professional; I told him "yes." He said my movements in Numui Kuduchi were very similer to Chinese martial arts. I was delighted to hear this kind of wonderful comment, and to have the audience react so very nicely.

Today, Ms. Satoka helped my program as a host, and she also joined me in playing the Sanshin at the end of the program. We sung Kunjan Jintoyo and Asadoya Yunta together. Thank you, Tomoka san, so much for helping my program today.

クイーンズ図書館でのレクチャー・デモンストレーションプログラムは一年ぶりの開催でしたが盛況でした。週中しかも昼間のプログラムにもかかわらず大勢の人たちが参加してくれてとりあえず満席。皆さん踊りも歌も楽しんでいただけたようです。

本日は、智佳さんが司会担当そして三線でも共演してくださり本当に助かりました。感謝感謝！

６月３０日（木曜日）は夕方６時からWindsor Branchで開催予定ですので、お近くのがたがたは是非ご参加ください。

Program for Lecture & Demonstration

2011-06-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

This is preview of my program of tomorrow's lecture and demonstration of Okinawan dance and music at North Hills branch, Queens Library, starts at 1:30 pm. See you there!

Ryukyuan Poem: (琉歌）Celebration of the event

Dance:

Yotsudake: (四竹）Female court dance
Nubui Kuduchi: (上り口説）Male court dance
Kanayo: （加那ヨー）Female popular dance

Music:

Aha Bushi: （安波節）Classical song
Tsundara Bushi: （つんだら節）Folk song
Kunjan Jinto-yo: (国頭ジントーヨ）Folk song
Asadoya Yunta: （安里屋ユンタ）Folk song

North Hills branch:

5704 Marathon Parkway, Queens, NY 11362

TV Tokyo WBS Program

2011-06-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

去る日曜日に千葉市に住む親友から、「先週木曜日の夜のテレビ東京のワールド・ビジネス・サテライトという番組にラリーさんが出ていました、知っていますか。この番組は、テレビ東京（昔の東京１２チャンネル、今は地デジになって７チャンですが、）で、毎日夜１１時から放送している日経新聞がスポンサーの人気番組です。特にサラリーマンに人気があります。何か、ロボット産業について話したと聞いていますか？」という内容のE-MAILが届いた。日本で親友の一人が番組を見てくれていたことは嬉しい。WBS番組：http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/wbs/

My husband Larry Fisher was interviewed by TV Tokyo two weeks ago, for a program called "World Business Satellite," for which he talked about trends and developments in the field of Robots. This weekend I received an e-mail from my old friend in Japan saying, "I saw Larry on the TV Tokyo trendy program, did you know that"? I knew that Larry was interviewed for a TV program that would air in Japan, but I don't know any details of the broadcast, other than that it wouldn't be broadcast in the US. I was so surprised that my old friend saw the program, and happy that he let me know.

Okinawan dance and music performance in Colorado

2011-06-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Colorado Okinawan Kenjinkai (Association) will be offering a stage performance in Castle Rock, Colorado, on Saturday, June 11th, to celebrate the organization's 37th anniversary . The performance program incorporates a broad array of Okinawan performing arts, including classical dance, popular dance, classical songs, folk songs, a martial arts "sword dance," musical comedy and taiko dance. Some Tamagusuku Ryu Ryukyu Dance School members from Okinawa, and US-based Miyagi Ryu Nosho-kai Ryukyu Dance School members will join the program.
Please join the celebration!

Okinawan Performing Arts

2011-06-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

I would like to inform you all about Okinawan performing arts today, as a preview of my upcoming lecture and demonstration program which will be held at the Queens Library this month.

There are six types of Okinawan performing arts:

1. Kumi Odori (組踊）：Kumi Odori is a classical musical drama blending of music, dance and literature. Kumi Odori was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 1972, and was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Kumi Odori is performed mainly by the member of the Kumi Odori Association and the masters of the traditional dance schools.

2. Dance（舞踊）: Classical dance performance goes back 14th century. There are three types of Okinawan dance - Court dance (Classical dance), Popular dance and Modern dance. Okinawan classical dance and popular dance were designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 2009.

3. Folk Dance (民族舞踊）：The source of all Okinawan dance, traditional folk dance dates back to the 600s. Folk dances evolved from the ceremonial arts used by priestesses to express appreciation to the gods in the spirit of prayer. Eisa dance (エイサー）is a part of the genre of folk dance.

4. Sanshin Music（三線音楽）: There are two types of sanshin music - classical songs and folk songs.
Okinawan classical song was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 2009.

5. Okinawan Plays (沖縄芝居）: Okinawan plays date back to 1875, to the period of abolishing Ryukyu Han and establishing Okinawan prefecture.

6. Martial Arts（武道）: Karate (空手・唐手）originated as a traditional martial arts in Okinawa. Other martial arts developed there include the use of Sai, Bo, Nunchaku, Kama and Tonfa, etc.,

My 90-minute program includes a classical dance, a popular dance, a modern dance, classical and folk Sanshin music. I start the program by singing a Ryukyuan-style poem which is similar in style to the Kumi Orodi, which also was sung by Priestesses as a prayer to the gods to welcome their guests and enjoy the performance.

Please join me.

Schedule of demonstrations and lectures at the Queens Library:

June 16th (1:30 pm - 3:00 pm) North Hills branch
57-04 Marathon Parkway, NY 11362

June 30 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm) Windsor Park branch
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11364

Fundraiser event for Japan in Boston

2011-05-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hi, Happy Memorial Day! I would like to inform you all of a fundraiser event for Japan "Artists for Japan" to be held in Boston on Saturday June 4th. Please see the flyer and join the event to help Japan. My friend in Boston will join the event and perform Japanese Taiko.

Ji-Uta Mai Japanese Dance Performance in NY

2011-05-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

I went to see Ji-Uta Mai dance performance by the dance school based in Princton NJ, directed by Junko Tano, an instructor of the school. Ji-Uta means "song of earth," which has been developed in Osaka and Kyoto, in the Western part of Japan, over 3 hundred years ago. The Ji-Uta Mai assimilates movements from Noh dances and Kabuki dances, and fosters spiritual concentration and body pliancy. Ji-Uta Mai performances convey the spirit of the piece and appeal to the human heart for interpretation. The six dancers beautifully and carefully conveyed the songs of Ji-Uta Mai at yesterday's performance. I was so impressed and inspired by Ms. Junko Tano's dance piece called "Mother and Gem." She is indeed a Master of Ji-Uta Mai.

昨晩主人と二人で田野純子さん主催による日本舞踊地唄舞公演に出かけた。
ニューヨークで本格的な地唄舞公演を見学することができたことは嬉しい。

地唄舞は、３百年ほど前(江戸期）に大阪や京都で発展した日本伝統舞踊の一種。
ソロパーフォーマーによる６演目は、初めて見る演目ばかり。
劇的で派手な動きではなく、たたみ一畳ほどの座敷でも踊れる舞は、唄の節を聴かせる内省的な地唄(伴奏）にマッチした内面的で重圧感のある振りが多い。

動く心情を動かない身体で表現することは容易では無い。艶物（つやもの）おどりは、大人の女性の色気や苦い情感などが繊細に表現されなければいけない。
地唄舞は結構面白いと思えたし、一瞬はまってしまいそうな踊りである。

最初の演目、Tea of Ceremoney Song の舞は、前半の部分では、扇で茶道の儀式を表現、後半の部分では、茶碗を拭く赤い小さなハンカチのような儀式道具が情感を表現する振りに使われていた。同じ江戸期に発展した茶道と地唄舞の歴史的な背景がうかがえる演目でもある。

ラストの演目、田野純子教師によるMother and Gem の熟練された舞に、私は最初から最後まで圧倒されっぱなしであった。グレーと白のシックな着物姿で舞台の中央に立たれていた田野さん、三味線の音が鳴り始めると舞台の照明が照らされ田野さんの姿にスポットライトが当たる、その瞬間の田野さんの立ち姿は、日本の歌舞妓舞台や日舞公演などで主役が登場する場面でよく聞こえてくる「いよー！田野」というような大きな掛け声が聞こえてきそうなほどお見事なお姿でした。

Let's Sing and Dance Performance in CA

2011-05-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today, I am going to introduce information on two performances regarding traditional Japanese dance and music which will be held this weekend. Please check them out.

Uta yabira and Wuduyabira Performance
唄やびら踊やびら公演

Sunday May 22nd, 2011 2:00 pm

$20.00 admission

James R. Armstrong Theater
(Torrance Cultural Arts Center)

3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance CA

On Sunday, May 22, at 2:00 pm at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance, the Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) will put on their biennial program showcasing the unique performing arts of Okinawa.

The show’s title, “Utayabira Wuduyabira” is in the Okinawan language meaning, “Let’s sing, let’s dance.” Seventeen groups affiliated with the OAA Performing Arts Committee will put on a show filled with traditional and folk dance and music, including a koto performance, as well as the taiko drumming.
Okinawa is known throughout Japan and abroad as having a distinct flavor in the performing arts, due to once being an independent sovereignty known as the Ryukyu kingdom. Much of the influence of China and other Southeast Asian countries with whom they traded can be seen in the textiles, costumes, colors and music.With the occasional exception of modern pop songs of Okinawa, the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument is central to all of the classical and folk songs. More than 50 classical and folk musicians will be performing on the sanshin during the program. Okinawan dance schools that will be showcased include: Majikina Honryu – LA Association, Miyagi-ryu Nosho-kai Miyagi Nosho Ryubu dojo, Miyagi-ryu Nosho-kai Numata Michiko Ryubu dojo, Miyagi-ryu Toyomu-kai and Tamagusuku-ryu Kansenkai.
A Ryukyu koto performance will be given by Teruya Katsuko Sokyoku Kenkyukai, featuring classical and folk songs. Classical music school of Nomura-ryu Ongaku Hozonkai and minyo groups of Shima Minyo, Uesu Yoko Minyo, Aikohkai, Ishihara Haruo Minyo, Akabana Group Nishikawa Atsuko Minyo, Hanashiro Emiko Minyo, Kochi Yuki Minyo will also be part of the program.
Mitsufumi-ryu Taiko Hozonkai Gushi Atsushi Renjo will perform jointly throughout the show. Rounding out the program is the youthful and dynamic audience favorite, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko – LA branch.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through the various performing arts groups as well as through the OAA office at (310) 532-1929 or via email at mensore@earthlink.net. The James Armstrong Theater is located at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.

The stage picture in 2010.

The stage picture on May 22nd, 2011

JI-Uta Mai performance 地唄舞公演

Saturday 21, 2011 8:00 pm

Free admission

Merce Cunningham Studio

55 Bethune Street, New York, NY 10014

Performance by Master Junko Tano Japanese dance school and her school members.

JI-Uta mai is a form of Japanese traditional dance which assimilates movements from Noh dance and Kabuki dance.

Long Island Sakura Matsuri Festival

2011-05-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today's festival was the last cherry blossom festival held in the New York area. It was sucessfully done. I presented a Paranku (small handheld drum) dance workshop for the taiko members of the Ryushu Kan dojo in Long Island for 30 minutes before the performance on stage. Ryushu Taiko members performed, and I accompanied them on the Sanshin, playing a popular folk song called Paradise Uruma Jima. I performed a popular dance called Kanayo, and sang Tsundara bushi while playing the Sanshin. There were two stage performances in the festival, and I joined the last stage and Mr. Kaoru Watanabe later took the same stage, and his powerful drum ensomble with Flute was exciting to see.

White Plains Cherry Blossom Festival

2011-05-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

It was perfect weather for the Sakura Matsuri today. I have been participated in the White Plains Cherry Blossom Festival for the last 7 years and this was the best crowd ever.

After I performed several Okinawan songs on the stage, I noticed this festival attracts many Japanese and American media; many cameramen gathered at this event.

After the stage performance, I presented a Sanshin workshop at the park, which was joined by a Japanese lady who instantly performed several folk songs and played Asadoya Yunta so that I could demonstrate dance for who children gathered at my booth.

今年のホワイト・プレインズの桜祭りは最高の人で賑わった。ステージでの三線演奏の後、公園の草原で三線と踊りのワークショップをしながら午後のひと時を楽しむ祭りだ。毎年沖縄ブースには、子供たちが集まってきては沖縄のフォークダンスを楽しんでくれる。今年も、また子供たちがフォークダンスに参加してくれた。三線のワークショップに参加してくれた安藤さんが即興で安里屋ユンタの曲を三線演奏してくれて助かりました。太鼓の坂本さんも即興で参加してくれました。皆様どうもありがとう。

Intimate performance at Weill Recital Hall

2011-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

Our rehearsal for the show started at 4:00 pm yesterday. When I entered the Weill Recital hall at Carnegie Hall, I was surprised that the size of the theater of the Weill recital hall was so small. Even though I checked out the size before I attend the recital, it looked smaller than I could imagine.

The huge Steinway piano was sitting in the middle of the stage.

First of all, my first impression at the theater was, how could I perform my dance in such small space? Secondly, I have to make the point that the theater was built for music recitals, not for dance theater. Even though the piano was pushed to the left side of the stage several feet after the first ensemble piano and violin, my performance space was just the half the size of the stage.

I guess I choreographed the dance for Zen music to perform in much bigger stage.

I was instantly thinking when I saw a big piano sitting the middle of the stage, I thought hmm, how could I dance or how I can entertain the audience sitting in front of the piano, something like that.

When Zen music has started, I usually enter the stage slowly as possible, like Noh play, and I rehearsed many times at my home studio with 12 steps, however, I had to walk even more slowly and enter the stage with 8 steps instead of 12 steps. It worked more effectively than walking 12 steps, amazingly.

When I reached the center and turned my left foot to the front and turned my body slowly to the audience, I felt good since the stage was so intimate to the audience, and close to the stage I could see every face in the audience. It was an awesome feeling that everybody seemed to breath calmly and focus on one spot.

After that, I didn't care about the huge black piano sitting on the stage and my performance space just half of the stage, I just performed as big as I possibly could and entertain the audience, from the left corner to the right corner.

I was filled with joy and satisfaction that the audience reacted to my dance in a positive way. I actually have fallen in love with the music called Zen. The Zen music soothes my soul each time I perform with the music. That is what Zen is all about, isn't it?

At the end of the performance, I was wondering whether the audience felt the same way I did. I hope so.

Each member of the cast of the Chamber Opera in One Act of Hana were great. Everyone stood by next to the side door of the stage and stood by the entrance to the stage, they looked so focused and handsome. I loved the moment each of yesterday's performance. It was a truly exciting moment for me to perform Okinawan-style classical dance with great live piano and violin music on a prestigous stage.

2011-04-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Kick off Cherry Blossom Viewing

My first Cherry blossom festival to join will be tommorow at the Greenwich Japanese School hosted by the Japan Society of Fairfiled County, CT. The performance will be held on the stage in the auditorium. The Greenwich Japanese school campus is awesome and here are the some pictures taken at the Greenwich School：Mr. Sakamaki, the Chairperson of the Associaton, greets guests entering the school by offering a sake tasting. The event is held as part of Japan Relief fundraising events.

いよいよニューヨークにも桜花見シーズン到来。

花見パーフォーマンスの先頭をきって、明日コネチカット州フェアーフィールド日米協会主催の花見で、沖縄舞踊と三線演奏で沖縄民謡を披露します。日本の地震津波被災地の方々に祈りを込めて協会の皆様方と　We are the worldの歌http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq_q9tVTupI

を合唱します。

Carnegie Hall Performance Preview

2011-04-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

There are almost 10 days left to my Carnegie hall debut performance on Classical Chamber Opera Hana. The performance was announced in several media outlets and I would like to inform you of an article on Yomitime this week, so that you can sneak-preview the story (sorry that the article is written in Japanese only).

Our preview performance will be held on April 12 in front of invited media, including the Asahi Shinbun. I assume that coverage of the Hana recital will be reported in some newspapers next week.

Music Concert information:
I would like to introduce a classical music concert for Japan relief this weekend. Please join them, and support relief for the victims of the Japanese earthquakes and tsunami.

創作オペラ「はな」公演まで残すところ１０日間。今週号のよみタイム紙に公演の粗筋が発表されていますのでご紹介いたします。http://www.yomitime.com/040811/0503.html　
４月１２日に、新聞社などを招待してプレスリリース公演を予定しています。プレスを前に何の質問が飛び出すやら、ちょっとドキドキです。
http://nycmusiciansforjapan.blogspot.com/

Konnichiwa!

2011-04-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am Junko who performs Okinawan folk dance and music in New York city.

I have started my blog called YUIMA-RU. YUIMA-RU means 'social circle' in the dialect of Okinawa.

If you are interested in the folk arts of Ryukyu, please join my YUIMA-RU circle network.

Today, I would love to introduce the information about my Carnegie Hall debut dance performance, which will be held on April 21, 2011. I will introduce my choreographed piece for the first time for the song called Zen. My dance piece is a part of an ensemble piece called Hana, a Chamber Opera in One Act. The cast members are: Hai-Tang Chinna, Ghost of Madam Butterfly; Matthew Pena, Ken, Chio Chio San & Pinkerton's son; Riyo Saito, A Monk; Akiko Chiba, Piano; Asi Matathias, Violin. Please visit www.carnegiehall.org for details and ticket information (or contact me at junko@junkofisher.com). You can also check the entertaiment section of ChopsticksNY, www.chopsticksny.com.

Also, I will be singing the famous folk song "Tsundara Bushi" and accompanying myself on the Sanshin at the Asian American Arts Alliance gathering on Tuesday, May 4th. The event will be held as a fund-raising for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. If you would like to learn more about the Asian American Arts Alliance, please visit www.aaartsalliance.org.

はじめまして、沖縄舞踊家の順子です。本日は、結まーるサークルのお知らせをいたします。

ニューヨーク近辺で開催される舞踊音楽公演などの情報を提供していきたいと思います。

４月２１日に、カーネギーホールワイルリサイタルホールデビュー公演が実現することになりました。創作オペラ「はな」で主役のはなを演じます。過去の公演では、古典舞踊を中心に踊ってっきてたわけですが、４月のワイルリサイタルでは初めて創作舞踊にチャレンジです。

いよいよ恒例の桜まつりシーズンが始まります。コネチカット州フェアーフィールドカウンティー日本人協会、ロング・アイランド、そしてホワイト・プレインズの桜祭りの舞台では、沖縄舞踊と民謡歌三線などを紹介します。桜祭り情報は、http://www.junkofisher.com/でご覧ください。