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July 17, 2014 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly Matsuri Season
Fall Session One
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Eisa dancers performing.
atsuri, or festivals, are an important cultural tradition on Okinawa. While they are held throughout the year to celebrate various holidays and seasons, there is no better time to experience an Okinawan matsuri than the long days of summer. As the temperature heats up, so too does the matsuri calendar. Cities, local municipalities and even small neighborhoods host matsuri around the island. Matsuri are marked by food-stalls, games, traditional entertainment and live music. It’s a great place to sample food favorites like yakisoba (fried noodles), taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) or yakitori (grilled chicken). Large-scale matsuri also often conclude with a fireworks display. Festival-goers also get a chance to experience eisa dancing. Eisa is a traditional Okinawa
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folk dance that includes men and women dressed in traditional costumes singing, chanting and drumming, often accompanied by sanshin (a three-stringed instrument). To many, eisa is the sound of Okinawa. One of the biggest eisa events on Okinawa is the annual 10,000 Eisa Dance Parade on Kokusai Street in Naha where Eisa dancers cover a mile-long stretch of the street for an impressive display. The 2014 event will be held on Sunday, August 3 and is open to the public free of charge. To learn more about Okinawa matsuri, check out the upcoming photo essay in the August edition of Okinawa Living Magazine or contact MCCS Tours+ for details on upcoming matsuri tours.
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hether you’re a recent high school graduate or a college senior who is just a few classes away from your degree, enroll now for the fall session. According to the Institute for Higher Education, college graduates enjoy benefits beyond increased income, like increased professional mobility and improved quality of life. Fall session 1 will run from August 18 to October 12, with registration ending on August 15. For those of you who have been putting off enrolling for your next class or are begrudgingly switching gears from summervacation-mode to study-mode, the fall session is a great opportunity to get back on track. All Marines new to Okinawa must attend a College 101/Tuition Assistance brief prior to receiving Tuition Assistance for the first time. Your local MCCS Education & Career Services Center is also here to provide guidance, education counseling and to issue tuition assistance. For any help or guidance on your college path, contact your local MCCS Education Center: Camp Foster 645-7160, Camp Hansen 623-4376, Camp Kinser 637-1821, Camp Schwab 625-2046, Camp Courtney 622-9694, MCAS Futenma 636-3036.
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