JCCH New Years Ohana Festival

HDAHF performed at the annual New Year’s Ohana Festival at JCCH. Mahalo to Mitsutamae-san, Teruo Goda, Akemi and Hiromi Carlyle for performing.

Welcome the Year of the Rat

おめでとうございます。
Congratulations Mitsuaki Shisho!

Mitsuaki Shisho underwent an
intense examination for her Shihan
(Master Instructor) license on December
5 and 6 at Hanayagi headquarters
in Tokyo.

Oshisho-san was tested on
Hokushu and Musume Dojoji, two
classic dances which require a vast
array of dance techniques. In addition
to the dance test, a written examination

The passing of a legend - Hanayagi Jusuke III

The Hanayagi Dancing Academy Hawaii Foundation would like to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of our Iemoto, Hanayagi Jusuke III on May 23, 2007 at 11:33 am. She was 72 years old.

Thousands of students and friends attended Iemoto-san’s funeral on June 28, at the Tsukiji Hongwanji. At the funeral, Chief Mourner, Hanayagi Yoshijiro V announced that he will be assuming the name of Hanayagi Jusuke IV and succeeding his cousin as Iemoto of the Hanayagi Ryu school of dance. A day before the funeral, on June 27, the Shumei Hiro recital was held for Hanayagi Yoshijiro V, Hanayagi Sosuke and Hanayagi Asuka. Hanayagi Yoshijiro V assumed the name Hanayagi Kan-ou, Hanayagi Sosuke succeeded him as Yoshijiro VI and Hanayagi Asuka became Hanayagi Tsuru.

The kai was a spectacular event. The curtains opened to reveal 64 women in matching montsuki and obi from the Nagauta association, singing and playing “Ayatsuri Sambaso.” The unusual dance, mimicking Bunraku puppets, featured Jusuke IV as Okina , Asuka as Chitose, Yoshijiro VI as Sambaso and Miyake Ukon as koken.

The second number was “Hana no Dan” featuring Fujima Murasaki as Sachiko, Hanayagi Sumi as Yukiko and Hanayagi Tsuru as Taeko.

The finale was a fantastic production entitled “Ibaragi.” Ichikawa Danjuro danced the part of Watanabe no Tsuna and Jusuke VI, the role of the ogre, Ibaragi doji, who later appears as the hag, Mashiba.

The 76 year-old Hanayagi Yoshijiro V’s intentions were to retire and retreat from the limelight after naming his successor, Yoshijiro VI.

In a sad but phenomenal turn of events, Yoshijiro V will now become Iemoto, a life far from the quiet retirement he had dreamed of. He laments that he was Hanayagi Kanou for one day, but has awakened a new commitment and mission as Iemoto to preserve and perpetuate the ideals of classical Japanese dance and Japanese culture for present and future generations.

Honolulu Family Festival

After a successful inaugural Honolulu Family Festival in 2006, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the non-profit group Honolulu 100 decided to continue with the festival this year.

The 2007 Honolulu Family Festival, which was held at Magic Island from Thursday, March 29 to Sunday, April 1, 2007 was a four-day festival that was free and open to the public.

Mahalo to Mitsukayo-san for affording HDAHF this opportunity to fund raise and the many HDAHF members and volunteers for helping with the ice-cream booth.

Alexandra Carlyle
Paul Carlyle
Renee Carlyle
Hansen Cheng
Bryson Goda
Linda Goda
Hanayagi Itsue
Hanayagi Mitsuai
Hanayagi Mitsukayo
Hanayagi Mitsukyo
Hanayagi Mitsutamae
Hanayagi Mitsuyasu
Gordon Hata
Lynn Hata
Stacie Hata
Leanne Kau
Corinne Murakami
Courtney Nakahara
Craig Nakahara
Craig Nishida
Jill Nishida
Sherri Okinaga
Ruth Tagawa
Kris Yoakum
Susan Yokota

HJJCC Heritage Fair

Our own Stacie Akemi Hata is pictured on the poster of the upcoming Heritage Fair sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The Heritage Fair will be held on Saturday, 3/10/2007 from 9 AM - 3Pm at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

Hele on down for ono food, great entertainment and a Cosplay Costume contest sure to draw anime fans from around the island.

A general meeting for the HDAHF will be held

Date: April 22, 2007 Sunday
Time : 11:00 a.m.
Place: Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha (1239 Olomea Street off Houghtailing)