The Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai Hawaii Shibu koto association and the Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu sanshin association held their annual Gödö Ensö Kai, or joint concert, in the Shinshu Kyokai Mission social hall on Oct. 21. The program featured classical Okinawan sanshin and koto music performed jointly and as solos.
Kazuko Ito-Sensei was recognized for opening a new koto school in Hawai‘i, Ito Kazuko Kokyoku Kyoshitsu. One of her students, Haruko Itomura, was recognized for having earned her shinjinshö certification (first level proficiency) in classical Okinawan koto in Okinawa. The test was sponsored by the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper.
The Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai Hawaii Shibu koto association is led by Derek Fujio and consists of seven schools: Jane Kaneshiro Sozan Kai, Miyashiro Soho Kai, Toma Sokyoku Kai, Yasuko Arakawa Aki no Kai, Sunny Tominaga Sokyoku Sanyuu Kai, Yamashiro Yoneko Sokyoku Kenkyu Kai and now Ito Kazuko Kokyoku Kyoshitsu. On the sanshin side, Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai is led by Seiichi Yagi-Sensei and consists of the Nakasone Seifu Kai, led by Tsuyoshi Gima-Sensei.
