| Under its directors, Yoshiko Tanita Sensei and Mieko Kinjo Sensei, the Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai dance academy has flourished. The Ryukyuan dance academy is comprised of four kaishu, seven shihan, approximately forty kyoshi and students in training centers located around the world in places such as Hawaii, Los Angeles, Brazil, Nagoya, and Osaka. The directors, who are sisters, began learning to dance in 1945 at their World War II evacuation location in Taiwan. Upon returning to Okinawa, both sisters began their formal training under the tutelage of Tamagusuku Seigi Sensei in 1950. Their dojo (training center) was established in 1961 in Kainan located in Naha City. They officially founded the Senju Kai dance academy in 1976.
Together, the senseis have held numerous concerts in both Japan and abroad. The following is a glimpse of their significant performances:
1966 |
Ryukyuan dance performances sponsored by Nihon Minshu Ongaku Kyokai in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hokkaido. |
1971 |
First Hawaii Okinawa Cultural Festival (International Festival) |
1975 |
75th anniversary celebration of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii. |
1977 |
Okinawan performing arts concert entitled, "FURUSATO NO UTA TO ODORI" in overseas locations including Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Los Angeles. |
1980 |
Commemorative concert to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii. |
1985 |
95th anniversary ceremony of Okinawan immigration to North America (Los Angeles). |
1986 |
First charity concert held in Honolulu, Hawaii to raise funds for the building of the United Okinawa Association of Hawaii's Kaikan (HAWAII OKINAWA CENTER). |
1990 |
90th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii commemorative concert. |
1992 |
Special presentation sponsored by the National Cultural Department to commemorate the 20 th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion as a prefecture of Japan |
Of special note are the many Ryukyuan dance performances that they have presented to worldwide audiences in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Tanita Sensei and Kinjo Sensei have received countless awards and recognition for their efforts to perpetuate and promote the traditional performing arts of Okinawa. In 1993, they received the Performing Arts Award from the National Cultural Department. In 1998, they were presented with the Special Judges' Award at the Nagoya Citizens Performing Arts Festival. In addition, both founders are designated by the Okinawan Prefecture as intangible cultural assets in the field of performing arts.
With the support and blessings of the lemoto or Founding Directors, Tanita Sensei and Kinjo Sensei, Frances Sensei began teaching Okinawan dance classes in Hawaii in 1997. |
