(7 Entries)
Daijayama is the Fire Spitting Dragon from Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu. Each summer the Daijayama Summer Festival attracts over 400,000 spectators, celebrating an old legend dating back over a thousand years. Dragon floats parade through the main streets in Fukuoka Prefecture each July manned by thousands of people. Folklore has it that the dragon is a water god, blessing the farmlands with water and children with good health. The Honolulu Festival will feature this towering dragon float measuring 20 feet in height and 33 feet in length at the Grand Parade. It will be manned by over 200 people. Fireworks will light up the skies of Waikiki as the performers dance to the drums and flutes of traditional Japan. The Honolulu Daijayama, full of energy and excitement, is a performance that should not be missed.
The history of Chikuzen Biwa (Japanese lute) dates back one hundred years. The biwa came from western Asia to eastern Asia. In Japan the sound of biwa was transformed to express the music styles of old Japanese court music, music for pleasure, bushido (code of samurai chivalry) and the arts. This will be our 15th year as Hayatomo Asahi-kai . We perform mainly in the area we are from. We preserve our history and honor the social status of the classics through our biwa performances.
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Kokura Giondaiko Hozonshinkokai
[ Fukuoka ]
Kokura Gion Matsuri originated in the castle town of Kokura in 1618 to pray for the town's prosperity. The festival has changed slightly since the Meiji era and has become today's Taiko Gion. The style of beating used for Kokura Giondaiko is rare in Japan.
Two taiko, 45.5 cm in diameter, are placed in the front and back of the dashi (festival car) and drummers beat both sides of the taiko as they walk to the beat of jangara. One side of the taiko is called doro and makes a low rhythmic sound. The other side is called kan and makes a high pitched sound full of energy. Jangara plays the most important role in taiko performance and leads the harmony of taiko. We would like all of you to feel the unique single sound of Kokura Giondaiko and enjoy its rhythm.
Our halau of over 100 members comefrom Fukuoka. Most of us have been dancing hula for only a few years. This is the first time for many of us to visit Hawaii and it is also the first time for most of us to perform on stage. We have practiced as much as we can in a short period of time. We are still beginners but we will do our best. Please cheer for us.
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Daijayama Origami School
[ Fukuoka ]
Daijayama Origami School was originated from folding the "Tsuru"(crane). In Omuta, where we come from, there are many who enjoy the art of origami in our classes. We have many who decorate their stores and homes with our origami. Their appreciation and smiles keep us motivated to continue creating wonderful origami. We hope to support the Honolulu Daijayama float with our Daijayama Origami during the Honolulu Festival. We know that our Daijayama Origami can be enjoyed by many people all over the world.
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