[Implementation Report] Zanpa Daishiko Taiko Celebrates 30 Years of Activity Based at Okinawa World, Holds Backpack Donation Ceremony

The taiko drum group "Zanpa Daishiko Taiko" has been performing based at Okinawa World (Nanto Group), a tourist facility in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, since 1996, and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. To mark this milestone, a backpack donation ceremony was held at the same facility on March 10th. The 10 donated backpacks will be delivered to first-grade students through the volunteer theater group "Jao Hui Troupe," which is involved in child support activities.

This initiative is part of a social contribution activity (SDGs) jointly implemented by regional cultural organizations. It aligns with the child support activities that the "Jao Hui Troupe," which performs Chinese traditional arts such as "Bian Lian" in Okinawa, has been carrying out for about 8 years.

Zanpa Daishiko Taiko was formed in Yomitan Village in 1984 and has continued its activities with a unique performance style that incorporates powerful taiko drumming based on Okinawan traditional performing arts. For many years, they have performed Eisa dances based at Okinawa World, delivering moving performances to many visitors as "messengers of Okinawan culture."

Meanwhile, alongside performance activities such as the Sichuan Province traditional art "Bian Lian," the Jao Hui Troupe continues to support first-grade students in the prefecture by providing backpacks free of charge to those who have difficulty purchasing them due to family circumstances.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of their performances at Okinawa World, Zanpa Daishiko Taiko made the backpack donation as an expression of gratitude to the community that has supported them and as encouragement to the children who will carry on the future.

On the day of the ceremony, 10 backpacks were lined up in the venue. The Zanpa Daishiko Taiko's lion dance picked up each backpack one by one and handed it over to the members of the Jao Hui Troupe. Amidst the warm applause of many visitors, the ceremony proceeded. At the end of the ceremony, attendees joined in dancing the "Kachāshī," an indispensable part of Okinawan celebrations, bringing the event to a lively close.

For Okinawa World, this ceremony also provided an opportunity to reaffirm its connection with the community alongside the performing groups that regularly entertain there.

The representative of Zanpa Daishiko Taiko stated, "Backpacks are the symbol of becoming an elementary school student...