Taste of Asia 2009

Last night Lonnie and I went to a wonderful dinner and show at the Butller officiers' Club. We got to enjoy some wonderful Asian food and great performances by Zampa Ufujishi Daiko. Here in a little info I found about some of the things we saw.

Ryukyubuyo (Ryukyu dance). Okinawa prefecture.
The Ryukyu dance is based on different choreographic techniques, appeared in the period of the 18th - the middle of the 19th century and kept till nowadays. The form of the headdress was inspired by a big red flower, widely spread in the tropical climate of Okinawa. Blue hollows between flower's petals resemble little pieces of a sea or sky. At the present time this headdress is an inherent part of classic and modern

Ryukyudayko (a drummers' show). Okinawa prefecture.
If translated from Japanese the word "okinawa" means "a rope at seashore", actually the island looks like a rope. It is so narrow, that in some areas it is possible to cross it in half an hour. The island of Okinawa is the only island in Japan, situated in the tropical zone. The climate here is warm and the nature is really wonderful. Therefore, the tourism in this area of Japan is appreciably developing. For the last decades a lot of world-class hotels, health resorts, restaurants, museums and botanic gardens appeared here. Cultural events and festivals last here all year long without interruptions. A traditional drummers' show called ryukyudayko is very popular at this island. This show also includes a traditional dance of Okinawa island eisa, which has Buddhist roots.http://www.japanhouse.ru/eng/regions_products/okinava.php
It is supposed that the origin of the sanshin (sangen) goes all the way back to Egypt 3,000 years ago, where those introduced to the west became string instruments played with bows, like the violin, and those introduced to the east became Sangens, which are played with plectrums. Okinawa's Sanshin was introduced from China and settled into its present style after many improvements, although it became the "Shamisen" after it was introduced to mainland Japan.

Parts of the Okinawan Sanshin
Body - python skin imported from Southeast Asia is used.
Neck - ebony (Yaeyama ebony is supposed to be especially good)
Strings - silk thread, nylon thread
Plectrum - cow horn, buffalo horn, ivory
http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/014/en/4inst/index2.html

"Shi-Shi" lion dogs -- or "Shisa" -- can often be seen standing guard on the roofs or entrances of homes, shops and other areas in need of a little protection or good luck.
Legend has it that the Shi-Shi came to the Okinawa region many years ago as a present for a Ryukyuan King. The Shi-Shi then became famous for protecting the villagers of Madanbashi from a terrible dragon who lurked in Naha port bay. According to the legend, when the king had the Shi-Shi confront the dragon, the Shi-Shi roared like a lion -- causing a huge rock to fall from the sky onto the dragon, thus turning the dragon into present-day Ganna-mui island.
Shisa are connected with the Shinto religion. They were originally used as guardians to entrances of residence, shrines, and used singularly on rooftops. One type of the creature is sometimes seen poised with a golden sphere under one paw -- symbolizing a concentration of goodness, wealth, and bountiful crops.http://futenma2.blogspot.com/2005/04/lion-dogs-on-okinawa-shi-shi-lion-dogs.html

Here are some pictures of the Head Dress,Dancers,Sanshin(guitar),and the ShiShi Dog. I took from last nights dinner.