Members of the Chikaho-Kai dance group.

by SHINTARO TANAKA
Hokubei Mainichi

Akabanaa, an Okinawan specialty store located on the second floor of the Miyako Mall in San Francisco’s Japantown, celebrated the second anniversary of the store’s opening on July 5.

The event featured traditional Okinawan dance by the Chikaho-Kai classical Okinawan
dance troupe and Okinawan sanshin music played by renowned musician Toru Yonaha.

Tomoko Makishi, Yoko Fukumura and Junichi Ohshiro of the Chikaho-Kai performed elegant dances such as “Yotsu Take.” They also drew the onlookers in and performed “Kachashi,” an Okinawan dance for celebratory occasions such as this.

Yonaha also charmed the audience of about 50 spectators with the beautiful sounds of his clear voice and the sanshin, an Okinawan version of the three-stringed Japanese shamisen.

Yonaha began learning sanshin and Ryukyuan dancing at the age of three, and has won many awards in sanshin, taiko, and classical dance at traditional Ryukyuan entertainment contests.
He is an officially recognized living national treasure of Japan and has played all over the world, including China, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, as well as throughout the U.S. and Europe.

At his previous performance at Akabanaa last November, Yonaha had just participated in the 100th anniversary of the Okinawan diaspora to Cuba, so his song selection reflected that.

This time, since the theme was celebration, he played many lively numbers. Audience members said their spirits were lifted by Yonaha’s music.

One woman who, like Yonaha, is originally from Chatan in Okinawa, smiled wistfully when she heard the folk songs “Chatan Na-kuni” and “Me-kata.” The same woman cried when Yonaha played “PW Awarinamun,” a song about prisoners of war, as she remembered her father, who was taken to Hawaii as a POW.

Yonaha said about this performance, “I was more relaxed this time around.” He joked with the crowd between songs, saying, “If you’re not careful, Okinawan songs can make you sleepy, so try not to fall asleep!”

When asked about his future goals and performing overseas, Yonaha said, “There’s a limit to what I can do by myself. Next time, I want to bring a group of traditional musicians from Okinawa. I’d also like to perform with a contemporary Western band.”

Haruhiko Hayashi, owner of Akabanaa, said, “I’m so glad that all these people came for the celebration and I’m grateful for all those who made this possible. I want to introduce the charm of Okinawa that I’ve experienced to the world.”

Yonaha’s CDs are available for purchase at Akabanaa. For more information, call the store at (415) 567-8565 or visit www.akabanaa.com.