{"id":5292,"date":"2025-06-04T16:20:40","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/?post_type=artist&#038;p=5292"},"modified":"2025-07-21T18:14:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T09:14:15","slug":"018-kanamaru-jishi-okinawa","status":"publish","type":"artist","link":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/artist\/018-kanamaru-jishi-okinawa","title":{"rendered":"Kanamaru-jishi, Okinawa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi-630x354.jpg 630w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Artist-018_0000s_0009_JPN-kanamaru-jishi-624x351.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Centuries of blessing \u2014 sacred lion of the Ryukyus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30b5\u30af\u30e9\u30b6\u30ab \u30de\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\uff12\uff10\uff12\uff10  \u91d1\u4e38\u7345\u5b50\u540c\u597d\u4f1a  (\u90a3\u8987\u5e0c\u671b\u304c\u4e18\u516c\u5712\uff09\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tWRX96Q9LuQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kanamaru Shishi<\/strong> is a performing arts group preserving and sharing the sacred lion dance tradition of Tarama Island, located between Miyako and Ishigaki in Okinawa. Their performances trace their roots to the island\u2019s <em>Hachigatsu Odori<\/em> harvest rituals, where dancers, drummers, and conch players come together in a ceremony that begins and ends with a lion&#8217;s appearance. With its deep growl and fierce grace, the lion purifies the space and blesses onlookers with health and good fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2014, the group has brought the spirit of Tarama to audiences across Okinawa and Japan, appearing at seasonal festivals, theatrical events, and international stages such as SOUL BEAT ASIA. A new cultural exchange project launched in 2024 has brought them even closer to their roots, as they collaborate with Tarama Island\u2019s original lion dance community and use a handmade replica of its sacred lion mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the lion dance, the group also performs traditional pieces from <em>Hachigatsu Odori<\/em>, including <em>Yuunsi<\/em>, which portrays cheerful woodcutters hauling timber to Shuri Castle, and <em>Bo Odori<\/em>, a stick dance with piercing cries that reflect Tarama\u2019s unique character. Through all of their work, Kanamaru Shishi carries forward the spirit of the Ryukyus\u2014offering centuries-old expressions of joy, strength, and community to new audiences in Japan and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/appl2St1lq996szjO\/shrzMDkccB5ZUQW7r?search=Kanamaru\" width=\"100%\" height=\"833\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-5292","artist","type-artist","status-publish","hentry","artistscat-artists018"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artist\/5292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/artist"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}