Kenton Odo and Grant Murata, the president and vice-president of Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Gensei Kai Hawaii, celebrate over 100 years of Okinawan Bon Dance in Hawaii with their album, “Okinawa Bon Odori.”
Odo and Murata studied the musical art of uta sanshin, a three-stringed guitar.
“Okinawa Bon Odori” contains all of the Okinawan songs played live by Hawaii Eisa Shinukai at bon dances around the island including Kachashi (victory dance) and Shishi Mai (lion dance). These songs have been traced back to 1907 in Hawaii.
“Okinawa Bon Odori” is recommended for those who enjoy classic Okinawan music. This album is available through Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Gensei Kai Hawaii (kriso@hawaii.rr.com.)