Omuta Daijayama awakens with the support of many Honolulu volunteers
March 13, 2009, Friday morning at the Hawaii Convention Center. About ten volunteers, most of them members of Hawaii's Fukuoka Kenjin Kai, gather at HCC to build the head of Honolulu Daijayama, one of the highlights of Honolulu Festival's Grand Parade.The educational tours were being conducted that same morning. Hawaii's school children ranging from elementary to high school are at the Hawaii Convention Center to absorb the cultures and traditions of Japan and the Pacific Rim. They sit in front of the large display of Daijayama's head and listen attentively to the presentation about this magical Daijayama Matsuri.
The head of the Daijayama is made entirely with bamboo and paper. After each festival in Fukuoka's Omuta, it is customary to burn the head and break down the Daijayama. This is done to ward off evil. But in Honolulu, the head of Daijayama is kept in storage near Sand Island. Daijayama sleeps there until it is time for the Honolulu Festival. Daijayama comes out from storage once a year to spit fire in Waikiki and run amuck at the Grand Parade.
The professional builders from Omuta are to arrive in the afternoon to make a final check, to make sure that the building preparations are complete. The builders from Omuta used to build the entire Daijayama in the past, but from this year, the members of Hawaii's Fukuoka Kenjin Kai and other local volunteers took the lead in building the head. The building traditions of Omuta have gradually been passed to the people of Hawaii.
Daijayama is resurrected by the Honolulu volunteers.
The head is put together with care, one piece at a time
The practice session for the parade with the local volunteers is very serious
March 14, 2009, Saturday afternoon at the Hawaii Convention Center. The sound of the taiko can be heard. In preparation for Sunday's Grand Parade, the people from Omuta Daijayama have come to teach the Honolulu volunteers how to beat the taiko and ring the fire bell. Can't feel any language barrier during practice. The Omuta members teach patiently and the local volunteers listen intently and try to absorb what is being taught. Such a wonderful sight! A few children also came from Omuta. As little as they are, they are still considered teachers to the people of Honolulu. The little children show how it is all done.
Let's not forget the Onna Mikoshi (Woman's Mikoshi) in Daijayama. The Daijayama Matsuri, originally a Matsuri for men only, did not allow women to ride the dashi. The women began dancing around the dashi. As Onna Mikoshi, the women played an important role in taking the Daijayama Matsuri to a higher level of energy and intensity. The Onna Mikoshi is creating excitement here in Honolulu as well. They shout with power, wave their folding fans and dance alongside the dashi, cheering the men on with reserve and grace. There is a wonderful sense of co-existence.
A harmonious atmosphere at the practice session.
Omuta folks are pleasantly surprised at the rhythmical talent of the volunteers.
Beating the taiko powerfully so as not to lose to the huge Daija.
The spirit of Matsuri is passed on to the children from a young age.
The intense project of building the dashi, definitely a delicate task
The last day of the Honolulu Festival, March 15, 2009, Sunday morning. The dashi is being built in an open space near Waikiki's Kalakaua Avenue in preparation for the final event of the Honolulu Festival, the Grand Parade. The volunteers include about twenty members from Fukuoka, members of Hawaii's Fukuoka Kenjin Kai and other local volunteers. Together they will be working to build the dashi and participating in the parade this year.
The most difficult step in putting the dashi together is in the final adjustment and the fine tuning of it. The builders must make sure that each part fits securely and that there are no spaces between parts or any irregularities. This is most important in order to have a perfect and beautiful form. Each part is pushed, pulled and pounded together so that all parts fit perfectly. This is a tedious and delicate process. People walking down Kalakaua Avenue stop to check out what is happening. They look with curiosity as the builders construct the Daijayama.
Parts are laid out before the dashi is built.
The dashi is built little by little. Gradually you can see the form.
Each part is fitted into the other parts.
This is a joint effort between the people of Omuta and Honolulu.
The Grand Parade of the Honolulu Festival = Daijayama!
The Grand Parade is culminated with the performance of Honolulu Daijayama. We are lucky to have Chibikko Daijayama, the children's version, participate in the Grand Parade for the first time.
Daijayama is a huge dashi weighing over two tons. You can hear the fire bells ringing from a distance as the dashi is pulled down Kalakaua Avenue and gets closer and closer. Your heart pounds faster and faster. There is excitement and energy all around you.
The fireworks from the dragon illuminate the evening sky. The spectators cheer and shout as the majestic image of Daijayama, spitting fire and scattering smoke throughout Waikiki, approaches. The Grand Parade has reached its peak of excitement! The crowds are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the performance of Daijayama. The children are left speechless. This is a pleasant surprise.
The fire and smoke disappear from the Daijayama. It marks the end of the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival. Aloha, until we meet again next year.
Members of Honolulu Daijayama and Omuta Daijayama.
Chibikko Daijayama and Honolulu Daijayama volunteers.
We are very glad to share the traditions of Fukuoka and promote the city of Omuta with everyone at the Honolulu Festival.
Former Chairman of Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai, Mr. Koichi Isayama
Hawaii and Fukuoka prefecture became sister states in 1982. Omuta, a city that once prospered as a coal mining region, gave us the idea of bringing the Daijayama Matsuri to perform in Honolulu. We were able to realize this dream. We are very glad to share the traditions of Fukuoka and promote the city of Omuta with everyone at the Honolulu Festival. We hope to participate in this event each year.
I can't imagine a year without participating in this Matsuri.
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer Thomas
The Honolulu Daijayama dashi was brought to Honolulu by the people of Omuta in Fukuoka prefecture. We are able to build the Daijayama under the leadership of those from Omuta and with the support of members of Hawaii's Fukuoka Kenjin Kai. The dashi weighs over two tons so building this is a great feat. I was impressed by the completed dashi's composure and dignity. Although it took four hours to build, working together on the project and manning it in the parade was a wonderful experience for me. I had the opportunity to participate as a volunteer the very first year that Daijayama performed in the Honolulu Festival.
I had no knowledge or experience of Matsuri prior to this. I could feel the adrenalin in my body the first time I was in the parade. I guess I got hooked on that feeling and have volunteered every year since.
To be honest, I was nervous to be in front of thousands of spectators lined up on both sides of Kalakaua Avenue during the parade. It's hard to express this feeling of excitement, but the nervousness just disappeared and I guess you could say that I caught "Matsuri Fever." We were entranced. The atmosphere of the crowd was magical. The children looked in awe (their eyes were open wide), the spectators were smiling and the crowd cheered loudly. All of this and the fire spitting from the Daijayama, shooting up towards the evening skies of Waikiki, uplifted the atmosphere. It was the best feeling!
I will make sure to adjust my work schedule so that I can volunteer each year as a member of the Honolulu Daijayama in the Honolulu Festival. I can't imagine a year without participating in this wonderful Matsuri. I am already looking forward to next year's Grand Parade!
"I'm part of the Honolulu Festival!" says Galen, proud to be part of it every year.
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer Galen Aina
I have been a volunteer for Honolulu Daijayama for three years now. I look forward to this event each year and of course, I can't wait to participate next year. The beat of the taiko, the building of the Daija, the fireworks, and watching the Daijayama parade through Waikiki-I love it all! "I am proud that I'm part of the Honolulu Festival!" says Galen. This whole experience makes me feel great.
It's fun to watch Matsuri, but there's nothing like being in one.
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer from Omuta Yoshida-san
I would like everyone, those who have seen it before and those that have not, to see Honolulu Daijayama from a different point of view. As you can see, each one of us is participating in the Festival with all our hearts. It's fun to watch Matsuri, but there's nothing like being in one. So please join us.
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March 14, 2009, Saturday afternoon at the Hawaii Convention Center. The sound of the taiko can be heard. In preparation for Sunday's Grand Parade, the people from Omuta Daijayama have come to teach the Honolulu volunteers how to beat the taiko and ring the fire bell. Can't feel any language barrier during practice. The Omuta members teach patiently and the local volunteers listen intently and try to absorb what is being taught. Such a wonderful sight! A few children also came from Omuta. As little as they are, they are still considered teachers to the people of Honolulu. The little children show how it is all done.
The intense project of building the dashi, definitely a delicate task
Former Chairman of Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai, Mr. Koichi Isayama
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer Thomas
To be honest, I was nervous to be in front of thousands of spectators lined up on both sides of Kalakaua Avenue during the parade. It's hard to express this feeling of excitement, but the nervousness just disappeared and I guess you could say that I caught "Matsuri Fever." We were entranced. The atmosphere of the crowd was magical. The children looked in awe (their eyes were open wide), the spectators were smiling and the crowd cheered loudly. All of this and the fire spitting from the Daijayama, shooting up towards the evening skies of Waikiki, uplifted the atmosphere. It was the best feeling!
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer Galen Aina
Honolulu Daijayama volunteer from Omuta Yoshida-san
