AYANUJI Okinawa's Traditional Culture: Past & Present

September 25, 2016 - January 8, 2017
Honolulu Campus, John A. Burns Hall,

The East-West Center Arts Program, in partnership with Okinawa’s premier arts university, the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts (沖縄県立芸術大学, or OPUA), presents an exhibition and performances highlighting the cultural wealth of the Ryukyu Islands. Exhibition and concert performance details follow. EXHIBITION: The East-West Center Arts Program, in cooperation with the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association presents AYANUJI 綾虹 Okinawa’s Traditional Culture: Past and Present September 25, 2016 – January 8, 2017 East-West Center Gallery, Honolulu Free admission Okinawa and Hawai‘i have a long history of exchange, with many local Hawai’i families originating from Okinawa. AYANUJI is a word used in ancient Okinawan poetry meaning “beautiful rainbow.” This exhibition aims to build a rainbow bridge between Okinawa and Hawai‘i by sharing both past traditions and present-day interpretations of Okinawan culture. Showcasing textiles, lacquerware, ceramics, carving, and glassware, traditional Uchinanchu culture is highlighted alongside contemporary expressions. This exhibition features works made by the faculty of Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, along with pieces borrowed from the local Hawai‘i community, including musical instruments. Okinawa Prefecture is a sub-tropical island group in Japan, located where the Pacific Ocean meets the East China Sea. Through its trade with Southeast Asia and China, Okinawa developed its own distinctive culture from Japan during the period of Ryukyu Kingdom (15th -19th century). After the Pacific War (World War II) through 1972, Okinawa was ruled under United States’ military administration. Okinawan traditional arts, architecture, and customs reflect this complicated history. Gallery Info: East-West Center Gallery John A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road (corner Dole St. & East-West Rd.) Hours: Weekdays: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sundays Noon-4:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Oct. 10, Nov. 11, 24, Dec. 23, 25-26, 30, Jan. 1-2. Admission: free of charge. Vlogٷor parking is available on the Vlogٷ-Mānoa campus for a fee during the week, and is normally free and ample on Sundays. Free school and group tours available. For further information: 808-944-7177 or visit Arts.EastWestCenter.org


Ticket Information
Admission: free

Event Sponsor
EWC, Mānoa Campus

More Information
944-7177, arts@EastWestCenter.org,

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