Bandar Seri Begawan - In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brunei Darussalam, the Okinawa traditional dance was presented yesterday at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

Present as guest of honour was the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Mohd Yusof.

Also present was the Ambassador Designate of Japan to Brunei, Mr Noriki Hirose and President of the Okinawa Culture Association, Mr Masayasu Tamaki.

The event was organised by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

In a welcoming speech, the Japanese Ambassador said that, "The Okinawa Dance or the Ryukyuan Dance, is a traditional dance of Japan's southernmost prefecture."

"Okinawa also has a history of being a bridge connecting Japan, China and Southeast Asian countries as a hub for international trade in East China Sea," he added.

He highlighted that, "While Japan culture is rich in diversity, Okinawa has a lot in common with Brunei, being blessed with a fine tropical climate, having played an important role in international trade and being a home for maritime people."

In a message from the President of the Okinawa Culture Association, Mr Masayasu Tamaki said, "The Okinawa Culture Association was established in 1989 to introduce various forms of Okinawa's unique heritage, such as music, dance and martial arts around the world."

Okinawa Traditional Dance (Ryukyuan Dance) is one of them, consisting of four major genres, which are Classical Dance, Popular Dance, Modern Dance and Folk Dance.

The Classical Dance is also called a Court Dance, and is further divided into four subcategories namely Elderly People's Dance, Women's Dances and Young Men's Dances.

One of the fascinations of the Okinawa Traditional Dance is the costume and in the Women's Dance, the dancers wear vivid-coloured costumes with motifs such as flowers, birds, waves and clouds.

The dyeing technology Okinawa which acquired through trade in its early years enabled it to produce beautiful costumes and the colourful props such as large floralshaped hats and long pieces of traditionally woven cloth.
The dance with its diverse cultural influence represents the spirit of Okinawa itself that it nurtured through the dynamic international trade era, which is peaceful coexistence.

From ancient times till now, the songs and dances have been a spiritual sanctuary for the people of Okinawa.
A total of 12 different performances was introduce consisting of Instrumental Ensemble, Kagiyadefu (court dance), Nuch I Bana (Zo-odori), Menuhama (classical dance), Nafabushi (court dance), Takadeira Manzai (court dance), Munjyuro (Zo Odori), Hatoma Bushi (Zo-Odori), Umi No Chinbora (Zo-odori), Kanayo Amakawa (a popular zo-odori), Folk Song and Kachashi (dance of friendship).

The guest of honour also received a souvenir presented to him by the Ambassador designated of Japan to Brunei, Mr Noriki Hirose.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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