Concert of Okinawan music and dance to celebrate the long career of koto master 

 

Cultural News, October 2008

 

 

Okinawa koto master Madam Katsuko Teruya, center, will lead Oct. 26 concert at Redondo Peach Performing Arts Center.

 

Koto Rainbow Concert

Oct. 26 (Sun), 1 PM

Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center

www.rbpac.com

 

   Okinawan koto master Madam Katsuko Teruya and her Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai – Teruya Katsuko Kenkyukai presents “Koto Rainbow Concert” to celebrate her 40th anniversary of teaching the instrument in the U.S.

 

   Programs include: Churaya bushi – Taking care of a banana tree in the garden, processing it into white, I’ll make it into fabric to weave a kimono for my lover. To what shall I compare by heart that overflows with joy today? It is a budding flower touched by the pearls of morn’s dew.

 

   Nubui Kuduchi and Kudai Kuduchi – In the olden times when Ryukyu was a kingdom, an envoy was annually sent to Satsuma (currently Kagoshima prefecture). This piece is an arrangement in a vigorous dance of a music which describes sceneries and sentiments of his way to Satsuma. The envoy of the Lord, after completed his duty, dances the way back home.

 

  Wudui Kuwadisa – It’s fun and joy to dance while clapping bamboo pieces at a house of high ranking class. It is also called yuchidaki because of four small pieces of bamboo. The dancers wear Mingata, colorful Ryukyuan dress and hat made in the shape of lotus blossom.

 

  Nakazato bushi – A love affair between a young man and a literary talented courtesan.

 

   Shichi Kuduchi –Dance by young people which is full of poetical sentiment of four seasons. Dancer marks seasons by reciting. The verse is sung in Japanese pronunciation.

 

   Tickets are $25. Contact Okinawa Association of America at (310) 532-1929.