NHK broadcasted a reportage with the title "Swiss visit Okinawa to learn about 'Heshikiya eisa'"
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「平敷屋エイサー」学ぶ スイス人が沖縄訪問｜NHK 沖縄県のニュースA Swiss man is visiting Okinawa to learn about the more than 100-year-old tradition of Heshikiya #Eisa in Uruma City.
The man visiting Okinawa from Basel, Switzerland, is Emanuel H., a company employee.
On 10 January, he learned how to perform Heshikiya eisa, which has a tradition of more than 100 years in Uruma City, from the people of the preservation society.
Mr H. visited Okinawa for the first time 17 years ago and became interested in Okinawan traditional culture such as eisa and sanshin.
Mr Takeshi Azuma of the Heshikiya Eisa Preservation Society said: 'Heshikiya Eisa is a unique dance and it is difficult to learn, but it is amazing to learn so many techniques. It is impressive that people from Switzerland have come to learn the eisa left behind by their predecessors".
H. said: 'The way Heshikiya Eisa is danced is fascinating and interesting. I want to be able to dance with my voice. I am happy to be able to make the sound of the drums. I want to study hard from now on".
H. will stay in Okinawa until the 16th of this month to study traditional Okinawan culture, including folk songs, sanshin (three-stringed instrument) and Ryukyuan songs.
