Does everyone know what Eisa is all about? Simply put, it is a Buddhist prayer dance to send off the ancestors to the afterlife, which is performed on the last day of the lunar Obon festival (July 15th on the lunar calendar). Okinawa's Obon follows a three day period from July 13th to the 15th according to the lunar calendar. In Okinawa where ancestor worship is strong, Obon is a very important event carried out on a grand scale and with much enthusiasm.
The 13th is Unkee (welcoming day) when the family Buddhist altar is cleaned and offerings are prepared to welcome and receive the ancestors' spirits. During Obon, offerings of daily meals are made on the altar and sticks of incense are offered. People visit the houses of relatives having an altar. In the evening of the last day of Obon the 15th or Uukui (sending off day), a sumptuous meal is offered and all the family and relatives see their ancestors off. Then, Eisa is merrily danced through the streets in every community the spirits of the ancestors depart.
Originally, the festival was held to commemorate the spirits of the ancestors by having the young men and women march through the neighborhood (known as Michi-junee), dancing Eisa. They would pray for sound health, safety and prosperity at each the family household. However, after the war, Eisa groups from different areas came together to hold Eisa concours, events which led to the complete transformation of Eisa. Youth associations from all areas used their creativity to devise many new styles as they competed to win prizes. These efforts changed Eisa into its present form which captivates audiences at Eisa festivals. Recently, Eisa groups perform not only traditional Eisa dances, but also their newly created original styles. Every community has developed its distinctive style! You might enjoy also watching and comparing the dances of each group.
|
When you actually watch Eisa, you may discern a variety of roles being played out by individual members with the coordinated performance of the group. Each of these roles has its own particular significance, and the more you learn about these players, the more enjoyable Eisa becomes! The compositions and expressions of these actors differ depending on the community, but by knowing more about them, you will surely be struck by Eisa's profoundness.
* Drummers (Teeku-uchi)：
The drummers play an important role in the dance through their valiant performance of Eisa and make it fascinating. Drumming is basically a role assumed by men, and the sound of the powerful drums fills the area wherever they are. There are several different kinds of drummers. Their expression is also quite rich due to the difference in high and low pitched sounds and the reverberation of the drums.
Ufu-deeku
(Large-Barred Shaped Drum) |
Striking these large drums forcefully, they lead the way for the entire group. This low weighty sound is an important part of the group as it modulates the sound of the other drums and Sansin. These powerful figures are overwhelming. |
Shime-deeku
(Laced Drum) |
Different from the large drum, the distinguishing feature is that the drummer strikes the drum while he moves his arms se of rhythm tuned in with the drummers' breathing is spellbinding. In the communities around Okinawa City, there are many types of Eisa in which the Shime-deek is the main instrument. |
Paaranku
(Small Single-Head Drum) |
This is a handheld drum covered only on one side. It's appeal is the sprightly rhythmical movements and bouncy sounds it produces. On the Yokatsu peninsula in the central part of the Okinawa main island, there are many communities where paaranku is central to the overall performance. |
*Hata-gashira (Standard-Bearers)
Holding a large flag with the name of the Eisa troop on it, his role is to lead the Eisa troop and dance procession. Some of these flags are 3-4 meters high and quite heavy, so the job of holding the flag erect is quite challenging. The leader dances around waving the flag high so as not to be outdone by other groups.
*Tii-udui (Rhythmical Dance)
This is a dance performed by the women who follow at the end of the procession. In contrast to the dynamic dancing display of the men, the women's dance expresses feminine beauty through its ornate supple hand movements. Depending on the community, sometimes the women will hold a cotton towel or bamboo castanets, and there may be men may also dancing in a karate style.
*Jikata & Jiutee (Musicians & Singers)
Some people are in charge of playing the Sansin and others singing the songs. The men who are good singers in the community will undertake this role, their well-trained voices resonating. The musicians and singers play and sing songs one after the other as the large drummers and dancers move in tune. These performers are a vital part of the Eisa experience.
*Chondaraa, Chooginaa or Sanraa (Buffoonery)
Among the actors, the Chondaraa is a hilarious character. Wearing a wig woven from windmill palms and painting his face white with eccentric make-up, the Chondaraa has a comical appearance and dances to make everyone laugh. He plays an important role in inspiring the dancers and keeping everyone in rank and file.
*Sake-Katamiyaa(Sake Porters)
The sake porters are two Chondaraas who carry a barrel of sake tied to a pole that they rest on their shoulders. These actors are often found in Eisa dances in Eastern areas. A generation ago, they would put the Awamori offered by each household in the community into this jug, then march through the streets, carrying it along.
|
