Thursday, February 28, 2019
9:35 AM – 12:25 PM
District House, B1 Dance Studio
2121 H Street, NW, Washington, District Of Columbia 20052
The Okinawa Kai of Washington DC, the Japanese Language and Literature Program at GW, the Okinawa Collection at the Global Resource Center of the Gelman Library, the Sigur Center for Asian Studies would like to invite you to attend this year’s Okinawa Cultural Day, filled with a lecture on the history of karate, a Kata performance, self-defense techniques, and Tameshiwari (Board Breaking Demonstration)!
This event is free and open to the public. This event will be primarily conducted in Japanese as this is a language engagement event for students and the public. Take this opportunity to expand your Japanese vocabulary!
Agenda:
Session I:
9:35 AM – 10:10 AM: Karate lecture and performance, including self-defense techniques
10:10 AM – 10:15 AM: Sanshin music
10:15 AM – 10:50 AM: Eisaa dance performance
Session II:
11:10 AM – 11:45 AM: Karate lecture and performance, including self-defense techniques
11:45 AM – 11:50 AM: Sanshin music
11:50 AM – 12:25 PM: Eisaa dance performance
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Reception with light refreshments (Room B114, across the hall from B132)
About the Martial Arts Performer:
Nestor Tadeusz Folta is the owner and head instructor of the Academy of World Champion Nestor Folta traditional karate schools located in Northern Virginia. He is a registered 8th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the Uechi-Ryu Karate- Do Association. All of his rank promotion tests and certifications have been at the World Headquarters for the Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Association in Futenma, Okinawa, Japan (aka Soke Shubukan).
About the Eisaa Performers:
– Michie Beckford (7-8 years of experience)
– Kyoko Dennard ( 5 years)
– Nester Koichi Folta (8-10 years)
These performers all belong to our Okinawa Kai of Washington, D.C., founded by Mr. Shima in 1983. In the past 20 some years, the Okinawa Kai has grown to more than 135 families and has been very active in providing educational and Okinawan cultural programs in the Washington area.
Eisaa (Okinawan: エイサー Eisaa) is a form of folk dance originating from the Okinawa Islands, Japan. In origin, it is a Bon dance that is performed by young people of each community during the Bon festival to honor the spirits of their ancestors. It underwent drastic changes in the 20th century and is today seen as a vital part of Okinawanculture.
