LIHU‘E – The clink of percussion instruments rang through the rooms of the convention hall as the Japanese dancers livened up the atmosphere of the Matsuri 2004 event Saturday. And, when they had gotten the interior perked up, they overflowed
LIHU‘E – The clink of percussion instruments rang through the rooms of the convention hall as the Japanese dancers livened up the atmosphere of the Matsuri 2004 event Saturday.
And, when they had gotten the interior perked up, they overflowed to the outside area where they even got Kaua‘i mayor Bryan Baptiste and Pearl Shimizu of the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society to join in the iwakuni style dancing and percussion parade.
The musicians and performers were part of a delegation from Iwaki City, Japan who are on the island, and the Matsuri 2004 gave them an opportunity to sample a taste of Hawai‘i Japanese culture while injecting some of their own culture in the form of demonstrations and entertainment.
Dean Jamieson, earning a reputation as the state entomologist, may be retired, but cannot get away from the study of bugs as he had his manuscript on his quilt creations on hand for selected audiences.
Jamieson’s newest showing involved his paintings on rice grains (usually long grained), and also on kabocha pumpkin seeds, the kabocha pumpkin being grown locally.
Besides the art forms, Jamieson also had a variety of spiritual and inspirational writings done on the grains with “The Lord’s Prayer” inscribed on a kabocha pumpkin seed drawing a lot of attention as patrons used magnifying glasses of varying power to authenticate the piece. Jamieson said this is the first time the public has had a chance to see this creative aspect of his life.
Kaua‘i Community College ceramics instructor Wayne Miyata had a ceramic table offering pieces of oriental animal zodiac, while across the way, the Japanese offered up a unique craft item that Matsuri patrons could create and take with them.
Iwaki representatives also had a variety of food samples on hand at the entrance where patrons were greeted, and on the outside a special tented area provided live demonstrations of the traditional mochi-pounding process.
Members of Taiko Kaua‘i were on hand to show off not only their prowess on the taiko, but stayed to do an actual demonstration of creating, or in Saturday’s example, repair of the Japanese drum.
Ray Nitta of the taiko group said that the drum they were working on belonged to the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission, and rats had gnawed through the cowhide skin to the extent that the drum was actually flapping.
The taiko group removed this damaged skin, cleaned up the area, and installed a new drum head as part of their demonstration.
Vendors representing several Oriental food items were also on hand with samples as well as product for patrons to purchase with this year’s orientation towards well being and health, Ralph Tamura showing off the “healthy” tea he picked up along with the special miso.
Along the lines of well being, the MOA group located on Elua Street was also in attendance where patrons could have a sampling of the group’s Jorei technique of healing, and to soothe the mind, try their hand at flower arranging using recycled film canisters that had been covered over with oriental motif fabric or paper.
To whet the taste buds, a special sushi station was available for diners at a nominal fee, and to whet the creative side of younger patrons, a special musubi madness event was hosted by members of a Girl Scout Troop.
The local education aspect was well-represented by the Japanese clubs from all three high schools whose members were kept busy interviewing patrons on various aspects of the day’s program.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
