Interviews

1. What is Matsuri Daiko? (Spanish)

2. Origins of the Matsuri Daiko Group in Peru (Spanish)

3. The kimochi surpasses technique (Spanish)

4. Eisa: Modernity and Tradition (Spanish)

5. Taiko, an element that represents strength (Spanish)

6. The philosophy of Matsuri Daiko (Spanish)

7. Dance: An excuse to learn from others (Spanish)

8. Eisa, a dance that transmits emotions (Spanish)

9. To be a Nikkei is a confluence of cultures (Spanish)

10. Generational Change (Spanish)

11. Yes, Nikkei culture exists (Spanish)

Watanabe,Akira

(b. 1974) Director of Ryukyu Matsuri Daiko in Peru

Taiko, an element that represents strength (Spanish)

(Spanish) In truth, we use diverse elements. Taiko is the most representative, and within our dance [style] the taiko represents strength because there are another two elements, apart from others that are, for example, the shimedaiko and the paranku. In the case of paranku, generally the girls do it, basically the girls do it, and the paranku basically [reflects] grace, agility, grace; while the shimedaiko is a combination of both elements. The shimedaiko is an intermediate point, combining agility and strength, [while] the men usually do the shimedaiko. Therefore, one has the confluence of three elements, [starting] from strength [and] passing through the shimedaiko in a combination of the two until we arrive at grace.

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)