THE CAPPS FAMILY: Weekend Before School Starts

Shawn found out that there was a FC Ryuku soccer game the Saturday before school started. We couldn't really find any info about it, so I posted it on the OkiPeeps Facebook page and everyone started responding that it was free for US citizens that night. A free soccer game? We changed out clothes and headed out the door!

A rainbow appeared just as the game started.

They had cheerleaders and dancers and their mascot is the whale shark.

We got poured on for a few minutes, but it felt really nice.

We had a great time and I'm really glad we went. I'm sure it won't be our last one!

On the way home, we turned the corner to get to our house and saw some Eisa dancers. We hurried up and parked the car to get out and see what it was all about.

This same weekend was Obon. We had been hearing about Obon since before we moved here. I found an article that I have just copied and pasted for you to read.

OKINAWA, Japan -- Americans living and working in Okinawa will notice a change in the atmosphere during a few days in mid-August, as normally-packed local businesses and restaurants are idle, yet the streets have more traffic than usual as families take their special annual commute. The first couple of days are quiet, then on the evening of the third, tight-knit communities become electric with song and dance as the observance of Obon draws to a close. Obon is one of the most sacred traditions many of the almost one-and-a-half million people here celebrate.

Deeply rooted in Buddhist history, the Okinawan observance of Obon runs from 13-15 July on the traditional lunar calendar, which corresponds to around a month later on the Gregorian one. During Obon, families invite ancestral spirits to visit their homes, and it is very important as a time when people celebrate together before their kins’ spirits return to the other world. The eldest living sons’ households maintain the Butsudan altar, so many families will travel throughout the three days: Unkeh, Nakabi, and Ukui as the “welcoming, middle” and “seeing-off” days, respectively.

Obon concludes with the impassioned singing, dancing and playing of Eisa groups performing throughout their towns and villages. Every community has unique customs and traditions, but generally the groups will march through the streets as families gather to bid their ancestors’ spirits a farewell until the next year. During this final Ukui evening and late into the night, Eisa will add to the celebration and many people will gather in their central crossroads, so be aware of the activity and if observing, ensure to be properly respectful of the tradition.

During Obon, be mindful to show respect for those honoring their tradition and ensure your actions are in keeping as members of our shared Okinawan community. Understand that many local restaurants and businesses will be closed during these three days, and that there will be increased traffic as families are travelling to share this season with their relatives all across the island – use the opportunity to learn more about unique Okinawan customs and traditions such as Obon.

On Friday night we could hear the drums and singing while sitting out on our patio, so we were pretty excited to actually see them on Saturday night - and so close to our house.

One of them let Amelia beat on the drum. I didn't take to many pictures, but I did take lots of videos. It is probably one of the coolest things to see!

Shawn had to go into work Sunday after church, so the kids and I took a bike ride to the beach.

Another rainbow.

We see rainbows a lot here.

On our way back, again just around the corner from our house, we saw more Eisa dancers. There were no drums this time, just men dancing. We followed them, along with a lot of other neighbors, for awhile.