Celebrated Okinawan born artist, Shinzan Yamada was born in 1885 and died in 1977. Several of his major works are stored in the collection of the Meiji Shrine Memorial Art Museum in Tokyo. Though throughout his life he created many masterpieces, one piece in particular stands out above all the others. We know it as the Peace Prayer Statue enshrined in the Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall (Heiwa Kinendo) in Southernmost Okinawa.
Yamada entered the Tokyo Art School in 1906 and majored in sculpture. After graduating in 1910, he went to the Beijing Art School to take an instructor position and worked there for two years. Upon his return to Japan he lived and worked mainly in Tokyo and became a celebrated member of the Japanese art community.
He returned to Okinawa in 1940 and remained here for the rest of his life. The Battle of Okinawa fought in the spring of 1945 and known locally as the “Typhoon of Steel,” was the largest and most devastating land battle of the Pacific theater and claimed an estimated quarter-million lives. It was in this battle that Yamada lost his eldest and third sons, an incident that would change him forever.
In 1957, at the age of 72, Yamada announced that he would finally pursue his long cherished dream of building a statue dedicated to the prospect of peace, “so people would never have war again.” Though he did have a little help with the fund raising, he worked mostly on his own to construct the massive statue. The entire project took him eighteen years to complete. Construction was halted several times due to lack of funds as well more than a few times when he fell from the scaffolding and was injured, two times very seriously.
The statue, completed just two years before his death at age 92, stands twelve meters high and spans eight meters across. It is made entirely from lacquer using the Tsuikin lacquer technique and weighs in at a whopping 3.5 tons! Though it resembles a statue of Buddha, it is said that this one differs from other statues in that this one is non-religious.
The Peace Hall is now part of the massive Peace Prayer Park (Okinawa Heiwa Kinen Koen) and open daily from 9:00 – 17:00 year round. It serves as one of the focal points for the Seimei festival in April, Children’s Day Festival (May 5), the Okinawa Memorial Day Eve service (June 22) and the Fire and Bell Festival (Dec 31 – Jan 1).
While the rest of the park is free, admission to the Peace Hall where Mr. Yamada’s masterpiece is on display is 450 Yen for adults, 350 Yen for Junior and Senior High School students and free for elementary school students. There are discounts for groups of twenty or more. To get to Peace Prayer Park from Naha, head south on highway 331through downtown Itoman City and follow the signs to Peace Prayer Park.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Gardians of the Village
Shisa or lion dogs are very popular in Okinawa. Typically they are placed on the rooftops of houses or at the gates. They are believed to be protectors. One shisa represents the male and the other represents the female. The difference is best seen by which one has its mouth opened. I always had a hard time remembering which one was which so I try and tell myself that since a woman can never keep her yap shut, especially when her husband is around, the one with the open mouth is the female of the species!
Mr. & Mrs. Kijimuna
Kinjimuna is a elfen like creature that is a mainstay of Okinawan mythology. He loves to fish more than anything else and can get quite attached to anyone who he befriends. So much so that the only way to get rid of him is to fart in his general direction or throw octopus at him. Here he's posing with the misses.
Hold Still Dammit!
This guy taking a picture of his wife had a really nice camera but he seemed to want to waste the shots on a woman who just would not stand still. This location was part of a film set built long ago. When the series that was filmed here ended, the place stood vacant for a few years until enterprising businessmen decided to turn it into a tourist trap. This venue was a mock 18th Century Okinawan village that is now lined with trinket shops and interactive arts and crafts vendors.
Ring of Dancers
This is not really a Eisa troupe per se but a group of students who are getting a lesson. Real Eisa dancing is much more organized but when your exploring a new culture, the best way is to try and have fun with it.
Out of Step
Students visiting Okinawa don costumes and give their try at performing Eisa Dances. Some folks have it and some don't. No matter how hard she tried the gal in the middle just couldn't keep in step with the others.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Gajan-gani
Similar to clowns performing in a circus, the Gajan-gani is a character who dances among the regular drummers and dancers one regularly sees at Eisa festivals. Often they are made up in garish makeup and odd clothing combinations. Their claim to fame is the fan that they carry as the dance. They often dance counter to the beat of the music and flick the fan as if they are shooing flies or mosquitos away from the other performers. Hence the name "Gajan" mosquito and "gani" person.
High Stepping
Taiko drummers performing Eisa at a festival in Uruma City Okinawa Japan. The dancers are often quite athletic and put on a rousing performance. The more effort they put into the dance and music, the more the spirits of the ancestors are believed to have been pleased.
Two of a Kind
Taiko drummers performing Eisa at a festival in Uruma City Okinawa Japan. The dancers are often quite athletic and put on a rousing performance. The more effort they put into the dance and music, the more the spirits of the ancestors are believed to have been pleased.
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