|
Kumi-Odori
The Japan Memorial Day Association has designated Sep. 3 as the Day of Kumi-Odori, which is the traditional Okinawan native dance. Sep. 3rd was selected since number 9 (the 9th month - September) is “ku” and number 3 can be called “mi” in Japanese.
Kumiodori was originally created as entertainment for visiting Chinese envoys.
On the first weekend following Sep. 3rd, the Day of Kumi-Odori, Urasoe City presents Urasoe Kumi-Odori Festival at the National Theater Okinawa in Urasoe City. Admission to the event is free. The event features kumi-odori performances from traditional to modern. The latter is a “Cinderella Story as Kumi-Odori” play aimed at people who are not familiar with kumi-odori thus making it easier to
|
....... |
follow as most people are familiar with the story, making it easy to understand and feel what Kumi-Odori is all about.
There’s also a cinema version of kumi-odori screened at the festival. The cinema has English subtitles to make it easy to understand for foreign visitors.
Classical Ryukyu Music accompanies a kumi-odori performance.
In addition to kumi-odori, the National Theater has other traditional Okinawan cultural shows in September. The World Eisa Festival 2015 will be held in the theater and on a special outdoor stage in front of the National Theater Okinawa on Sep. 21st and 22nd. Free live kumi-odori performances are also staged on both days, as are the Cinderella Kumi-Odori edition and Kumi-Odori cinema at the theater. (source: Japan Update Sept 4, 2015)
|
