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Eisa or the traditional performing arts is found all over the Okinawa group of Islands in Japan. Although this traditional performing art is practiced throughout the length of the island, yet it is most popular particularly in the city of Okinawa and in the central most part of the main islands. It is a well known fact that family culture as well as custom and tradition are well known focal points of the Japanese culture. Perhaps, the most integral part of this tradition is Obon that also means Eisa.
The festival of Eisa symbolizes the conclusion of the Obon, in the last weeks of August. It also typifies the end of summer season and is in a sense, the last big festival of the Japanese calendar year. It is the perfect time for bidding farewell to one’s ancestral spirits, which have supposedly come back to this planet.
During the old days, individual towns and villages used to have their own festivals. However, in recent times, Eisa dancers from all over the island come and meet at the Okinawa city and celebrate through competition. The preparations for this festival happen to begin from the month of January and the villagers are known to finance and arrange funds for the dressing materials.
Mostly teams are preferred when it comes to participate in this festival than individuals. Almost all the teams are known to consist of drummers, dancers, flag bearers, banner bearers, clowns and most importantly, sanshin players. Even before the start of the competition, spectators are found to fill all possible quarters of the stands. When the first competing team enters through the gate, spectators are found dancing on the isles. Soon after this, the sunshine players are found to take their respective positions. The dancers are also found to belt out traditional folk dance numbers in colorful apparels.
The teams that participate in this grand festival are judged on the basis of talent, innovativeness and creativity. What the judges actually look for is a perfect blend of all these attributes. However, all the participating teams seem to be well known about this fact. As a matter of fact, all these teams who participate in this competition carry on with these traits quite efficiently, making it a difficult job for the judges. However, what it ensures is that the audiences are never short enjoying the state of art entertainment and high class competition.
To know more about other Japanese festivals, make sure that you refer to the pages of .
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