okinawa association of america - a real mensore
The Okinawa Association of America is housed in a series of old storefronts along Western Avenue in Gardena, California. There’s a tiny sign on one of the buildings—-the building painted adobe brown from top to bottom with not so much as a single detail painted to stand out. In Short, chances are you’ll miss he place if finding it is not your goal. Inside the storefronts have been hollowed out to form meeting halls, practice rooms, offices and even a library of Okinawan and Okinawan American history.
Despite it’s humble home, the OAA is a vibrant community of multi-generational Okinawans, Okinawan Americans, and people fascinated with Okinawan culture. The third category describes my wife and I. We joined the group nearly a year ago to further an interest in Okinawan music and the traditional instrument, the shamisen. We didn’t know a lot about the instrument, but we owned one—bought a few months prior on craigslist—and we wondered what happens next. We’d heard about a new group sponsored by the OAA called the Uta Sanshin Circle, so we signed up. That’s how we became friends of the OAA.
The OAA is not unique in the United States, or even in Los Angeles. There are numerous social groups dedicated to regions and prefectures of Japan. None require its members to be from the area, per se; just an interest is good enough. But the OAA is different in several ways, the most apparent of which are keenly illustrated yearly at their New Years Party. 2009’s event was no exception as membership came out in full force—more than 700 souls—to support the organization. Sure there were the usual speeches and passing of this or that torch to this or that new committee chairmen. Two well-produced videos outlined the past and future of the organization, and the food was pretty tasty!
And that is where the OAA meeting began to differ from most. Just as most groups would be winding down the festivities, the OAA was just getting started. What followed over the next couple hours was a rousing journey through the traditional performing arts of the isolated archipelago.
The Ryuku Matsuri Taiko group led the charge performing a couple more modern Okinawan songs, spreading the group's vast numbers across and around the stage in a clear effort to give everyone a chance to play. The Taiko is not what we’ve come to expect from famous Japanese groups like Kodo, it is far more based on dance and movement, using the drum strapped to the players body merely as an accent—both visual and, obviously, audible. The group’s bright red drums are also traditionally Okinawan but rarely seen on the mainland of Japan.
Following the rousing send-off the show didn’t slow down for a second featuring traditional dance and music, peppered with an occasional borrowed art from Hawaii, Tahiti and mainland Japan. However, unlike most groups of tradition performers who must rely on recording of the music as their accompaniment, at the OAA someone always knows how to play every piece the performers want to use. The result? Real musicians, backing up real dancers, for an overall much more authentic and exciting experience. I don’t mean to knock those groups that use records as accompaniment. In the modern world it’s usually unavoidable. Fortunately the Okinawan Association, in some very real ways, has rejected the “modern world” in favor of a place where they feel comfortable.
Some of that comfort was evident when after all the performers had turned in their best performances, and the crowds had gotten increasingly excited. Traditionally in Okinawa a party ends with folk song by the name of Kacthashi. More than a song, Katchashi is a freestyle dance with all the attendees taking part. No less was the case for the 700 OAA members when the Sanshin players plucked out the familiar tones. Everyone got to their feet and danced throughout the room. I have seen few such groups so engrossed and interested in the performances and art of their fellow members. OAA is unique in this regard, too, but more than all of that, the members will never let anyone feel unwelcome. This is a place where everyone may not know you name, but they’ll treat you like their best friend anyway.
Okinawa Association of America, Inc.
16500 South Western Avenue, Suite #203
Gardena, CA 90247
tel: (310) 532-1929
Labels: OAA, Okinawa, Okinawa Association
