NAHA, Sep 17 (News On Japan) - The Okinawa Island-wide Eisa Festival, the largest event of its kind in the prefecture, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year after growing from its postwar origins into one of Okinawa’s most representative cultural events.
The festival traces its origins to the Okinawa Island-wide Eisa Contest, first held in 1956, 11 years after the end of the Battle of Okinawa. At a time when postwar chaos lingered, the contest was organized to energize the community and was staged on an elementary school field with just ten groups participating. Archival footage from Okinawa Television shows how the event later moved to larger venues, filling them with spectators. Even in the early years, the performances of drummers and dancers left strong impressions, with foreign visitors occasionally joining the crowds.
The contest judged groups on their drumming, choreography, and costumes, but the competitive format also caused disputes, with some questioning why traditional community performances were ranked. Stories even remain of tempers flaring at award ceremonies. In 1977, the contest was restructured into the Okinawa Island-wide Eisa Festival, shifting from competition to celebration, and the practice of parading through the streets began. This transition broadened its appeal, drawing tourists from beyond the region.
Over time, the festival became a major attraction, with tens of thousands gathering annually. Even during the pandemic, when in-person events were canceled, organizers produced special video programs to keep the tradition alive. When the festival resumed last year for the first time in four years, it drew a record 360,000 visitors, highlighting the deep connection between Okinawans and the event.
Former youth group leader Taisei Shimada recalled how difficult it was to sustain the festival during the pandemic but stressed its importance as a source of joy and identity. Participants described finally being able to gather again as deeply moving, saying the festival embodies the spirit of Okinawa.
This year’s milestone 70th edition is once again bringing together youth groups across the prefecture, who are performing with passion and pride in their traditions. Even for veterans who have taken part dozens of times, the anticipation remains high, with performers describing the festival as a stage that never loses its excitement.
From its beginnings as a symbol of postwar resilience to its current status as a cultural highlight that attracts hundreds of thousands, the Okinawa Island-wide Eisa Festival continues to captivate audiences while preserving and passing on the traditions of Okinawa.
Source: 沖縄ニュースOTV
