首里トライリングアル・トーストマスターズクラブ　

Do you know “Aye-sah”?
Every year, in mid August, around the time of “Obon” I remember the scent of Night Jasmine, the lively noise of crowd and the rhythmical sound of drums. Yes, it’s “Aye-sah”, traditional dancing now enjoyed all around Okinawa, mainly in “Obon” time.

Fellow Toastmasters and the guests, My name is Kazumi. I was born and raised in Okinawa, more exactly in its mid-south part Futemma, where “Aye-sah” dancing started. Today, I’d like to share with you something from my childhood memory and I hope it makes you know more about Okinawa, and about me.

On the contrary to present day upbeat festivity, “Aye-sah” originally came to Okinawa as a consolation dancing of the dead soul. Buddhism, a school called “Jodoshu” brought this to Okinawa with the habit of repeating mantra, and the accompanying dance and music. Soon, it was mixed with local dancing, and made into “Aye-sah”. I’ve heard “Aye-sah” was once considered not appropriate for celebrative events, because it was used to be a part of funeral. Back then, their costume was also in black and white, totally subdued, like funeral outfit.

Now, because “Aye-sah” became a part of “local culture education”, there’s a lot of encouragement to join “Aye-sah” for school age kids and grown ups. Accordingly, these old stories are forgotten, and people don’t talk about “Aye-sah” in the way like before. The dancers’ costume got more and more stylish and colorful. Many different kinds of drums are used with that characteristic finger flute.

So now in “Obon” time, several group of young people parade in columns on local streets. On the head of each group, there is a highly decorated banner, proudly held with the name of the group written. After that, dancers, drummers, kimono-clad girls, in that order, with even a man with a bottle in his hand, pretending to be intoxicated, just to add to the excitement of the occasion. Each group represents its living area, and has its own style of music and dancing. You never get tired of watching. It’s fascinating. Something young kids follow all the way along the street, and that is what I did whenever I heard that familiar “Aye-sah” music and noise.

Now I have a night jasmine tree in my garden, for the sake of the old time. Every year around “Obon” time, the scent of night jasmine brings pleasant childhood memories of “Aye-sah” though I don’t follow the “Aye-sah” columns any more.

One little secret: this has been my first ever speech in English.
My English teacher talked me into doing this.
Now I can say what “icebreaker” feels like.