MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Aozora Kids Kagura Group, from Hiroshima City, traveled to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for a performance at the School Age Center on July 16, 2018.
Marine Corps Community Services, Youth Cultural Program, hosted the event to bring Japanese and American children together.
“We wanted to show the American children Japanese culture,” said Shinichi Shishido, the youth cultural coordinator for the Youth Cultural Program. “I felt as if the performance made it easier for the children to take something away from the experience.”
The performance, titled Suzukayama, was the tale of an eighth-century warrior who rescued a kidnapped princess and defeated the demons of Mt. Suzuka.
What began as a performance to offer prayers for god based on myths, is now a festival of gratitude to nature and god during the time of harvesting rice. The performance is an act of praying for peace and a successful harvest of the crop.
“The purpose of the event was to build a connection between our host nation and the children on base,” said Brianne Klems, a program assistant with the youth and teen center. “It makes the children aware of the Japanese culture and history, and it helps them understand the importance of what they celebrate.”
This event marked the second time a Kagura performance has taken place at the Air Station.
Shishido said he would like to introduce more events like this one in the future.
“I think it’s really important for the kids to be involved in these programs,” said Klems. “It gives them something to do during the summer, and it keeps their brains active. It also helps them meet other children and builds a bridge between the two cultures.”