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Dance: An excuse to learn from others (Spanish)

(Spanish) It is very certain, normally we…no, it is that we do not charge for the performances; in truth the kids do it for the thrill of doing it, as normally…I have a very personal way of thinking about eisa. And for me the dance is an excuse. For me the dance is an excuse to bring together people, to form friendships, and to be able to learn from others. Therefore, the act of dancing, the act of walking on stage is part of the personal realization that one has. Simply put, the initial standing at attention for the first time on stage is a great achievement [because one has to] conquer the fear of performing in front of the public and not make mistakes. In the case where you make a mistake, you continue on so that the performance is fine. It is an accumulation of things, therefore, not only is it friendship, or the pleasure [of performing], it is part of the personal realization and it is simply a part of motivation.


arts dance eisa (dance) folk dances Matsuri Daiko Okinawa

Date: September 14, 2007

Location: Lima, Peru

Interviewer: Harumi Nako

Contributed by: Asociación Peruano Japonesa (APJ)

Interviewee Bio

Akira Watanabe Osada was born on October 6, 1974, in Lima, Peru. His grandparents are Japanese immigrants who came to Peru from Fukushima Ken. An engineer, Akira is also director of the Peru branch of the Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Group. Founded in 1999, the branch grew out of the festivities commemorating Japanese immigration to Peru. Akira promotes the Okinawa eisa dance throughout the country. As a member of this group, Akira has performed quite often in Peru, which the most important of these performances have been the centennial celebrations marking Japanese immigration to Peru (1999), and the Centenary of Okinawense Immigration to Peru (2006). (September 14, 2007)

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