Nanyo Dance Handed Down in OgasawaraDancing gracefully and joyously, wearing grass skirts and flowers in their hair, this is the ”Nanyo Dance” handed down in Ogasawara. The dance is derived from dances that were brought back from Saipan, Guam, and Micronesia, when they were under Japanese reign before the war. The Nanyo Dance and song flows and is quite mellow, making you feel calm and gentle. Of the 5 songs, the lyrics for one song ”Before Dawn” is from Palau but written in Japanese, while the other songs such as ”Urame” and ”Uwadoro” still use the original language. This adds to the ambience of Ogasawara Island, a typical south sea island. |
Leaving the Islands During the WarMost of the islanders evacuated from Ogasawara during World War II. After the war, the islands became American territory. Only the ”Western islanders,” islanders with Western ancestry, were permitted to return to the islands while most were robbed of the opportunity to return to their homes. Ohira happened to be one of those allowed to return. After the war, she returned to the Ogasawara islands when it was still under American reign. |
The Making of ”The Song of Ogasawara Restitution”Under the reign of the United States, English was used in schools. Japanese was used in daily life, but many regulations were made that were not the same as in Japan. ”Wasn’t that difficult?” Nakata asked. ”Oh yes, of course there were many inconveniences, but the most difficult thing was the loneliness.” Ohira told us. |
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- Kyoko Ohira
- Ogasawara Tokyo