Okinawa Day (Spitalfields London) 2011

What an exciting day we had, I arrived at 11.30 to the sound of Classic Okinawan Music and the aroma of a diverse range of Okinawan delicacies, and there were an array of stalls that were selling artefacts that were hand made by the people.

Some of musicians were recognised with the title “Bushi” they played Folk and Classical songs accompanied by Sanshin Lute, Taiko drumming performance and Eisa dance with workshops for Children which were wonderful to watch, then it was the turn of the Adults, there was a large female contingent ready to strut there stuff, but the male contingent seemed to be lacking so well done to the Girls.

There were 2 styles of Okinawan Karate invited to demonstrate their discipline, in the morning Mushinkan Okinawa Karate (Matsubayashi Ryu) and in the afternoon Okinawan Traditional Goju – Ryu Karate – Do.

According to the Okinawa Organising Committee, 7500 people attended 2010, I wonder how many people attended this year, I will keep you posted.

Reports back from the Committee suggest that we will be invited back next year.

I would like to thank the following people who helped make this demonstration a success, Reon Campbell, Nick Radford, Sergio Agosti, Kevin Duff and his wife Mika.

George Andrews

Photos posted with kind permission of Stephen Chung.