In the continuing series of getting out and about on Sundays (when the option a restful day at home seems quite in order), today it was a return of sorts to Yokohama to attend a festival celebrating all things Okinawan.
Okinawa holds an interesting place in Japanese history. Variously independent and occupied, it remained under US control after Word War Two and wasn't 'returned' to Japan until the early 1970s, after long negotiations.
Okinawans have a very strong sense of identity as well, independent of the 'Japanese identity' and their music and dance was clearly on display today.
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| Welcome to the 'uchinaa' festival |
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| Some of the crowd |
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| Traditional song |
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| Traditional dress |
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| Waiting their turn |
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| More tradition |
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| 'backing singers' |
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| The full band |
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| Great to see younger players |
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| Dance |
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| Before emails of the same notorious name, there was a tinned meat called 'spam' which, for reasons only Okinawans can appreciate, remains a staple part of the diet; these are spam sticks. Yep, I left them right there, thank you. |
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| Back to the dancing |
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| No spam |
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| Under the umbrella |
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| Purple disguise |
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| More dancing sans brolly |
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| At the entrance to the alcohol tents and bars |
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| Drummers waiting their turn |
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| Okinawa handmade shamisen (I bought the CD and yes, that is snakeskin) |
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| Just an ordinary park... |
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| ...near an ordinary little station (Yokohama suburban outskirts) |
There was also a range of foods to try; drinks to note; traditions to observe. Naturally, one had to try a little of each.
Okinawa is also at the centre of a bit of a tug of war with the National Government over the increase in the American force presence on the islands. It is a part of my research on Japanese security. (So this is really a research day, right?) I plan to visit there one day to get a sense of it myself.
But today, it was all the fun of a typical family fair in a suburban park down Yokohama way with people enjoying themselves and clearly proud of their culture.
Good day, sunshine.
[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 2.14pm-3.37pm; 6 November 2016]
