Ohio Tomonokai - August 25, 2007

This Eisa drum dance was performed at the Ohio Tomonokai of Ohio's Fall Picnic on Augus 25th, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Eisā (エイサー)

(from wikipedia) is a form of folk dance unique to the people of the Ryukyu Islands. Although it is performed many times throughout the year at various festivals, Eisa performances are concentrated around lunar mid-July. This is a centuries-long tradition, to mark the end of the Obon Festival.

It is danced by 20-30 young men and/or women, mainly in a circle to the accompaniment of singing, chanting, and drumming by the dancers, and folk songs played on the sanshin. Three types of drums are used in various combinations, depending upon regional style: the odaiko (large barrel drum); the shimedaiko (a medium-sized drum, similar to ones used in Noh theatre); and a small hand drum, the paranku, similar to ones used in Buddhist ceremony. The dancers also sometimes play small hand gongs and yotsutake castanets. Eisa dancers wear various costumes, usually according to local tradition and gender of the dancer; modern costumes are often brightly-colored and feature a characteristic, colorful Ryūkyū-style knotted turban. Special vests and leggings are also popular.

You can watch my videos about traveling to Okinawa on other video sharing websites...

Okinawa, Japan 1: Intro

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Okinawa, Japan 2: Heading North

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Okinawa, Japan 3: Hedo Misaki

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Okinawa, Japan 4: Hiking Route 58

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Okinawa, Japan 5: Hentona to Ogimi

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Okinawa, Japan 6: Family in Nakijin

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Okinawa, Japan 7: Nakijin Castle and Village

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Okinawa, Japan 8: Ie-Jima

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Okinawa, Japan 9: The Jungles of Yonaha-Dake

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Okinawa, Japan 10: Ocean Expo Park
and Churaumi Aquarium

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Okinawa, Japan 11: Togyu
Okinawan Bullfighting

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Okinawa, Japan 12: U.S. Military
and Central Okinawa

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Okinawa, Japan 13: Katsuren-Jo (Castle)

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Okinawa, Japan 14: Naha

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Okinawa, Japan 15: Kokusai-Dori

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Other Japanese Links:

Okinawa.com - Thanks for posting my videos!!!
Internet-Okinawa.com - Thanks for posting my videos!!!
Ohio Tomonokai website
Prepare for Driving in Okinawa/Japan
hdrjapan.com
JapaneseLifestyle.com