[Activity Report] Zanpa Great Lion Taiko Celebrates 30 Years Based at Okinawa World with School Backpack Donation Ceremony

The wadaiko (Japanese drum) group "Zanpa Great Lion Taiko" has been performing at Okinawa World (Nanto Group), a tourist facility in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, since 1996, reaching its 30th anniversary in 2026. To mark this milestone, the group held a school backpack (randoseru) donation ceremony at the facility on March 10. The 10 donated backpacks will be delivered to incoming first graders through the volunteer theater troupe "Jiaohui Theater Company," which is engaged in children's support activities. This initiative is part of a social contribution activity (SDGs) carried out through collaboration between regional cultural organizations, inspired by the children's support activities that the volunteer theater troupe "Jiaohui Theater Company" — which performs traditional Chinese arts such as "bian lian" (face-changing) within Okinawa Prefecture — has been continuing for approximately eight years. Zanpa Great Lion Taiko was founded in Yomitan Village in 1984 and has continued its activities with a unique performance style that incorporates powerful wadaiko drumming based on traditional Okinawan performing arts. The group has long been based at Okinawa World, where it has continued to perform Eisa shows, delivering inspiration to many visitors as a "bearer of Okinawan culture." Meanwhile, the Jiaohui Theater Company, alongside its performances of Sichuan Province's traditional art of "bian lian" (face-changing), has been continuously providing free backpacks to incoming first graders whose families face financial difficulties in purchasing them. With its performances at Okinawa World reaching the 30-year milestone, Zanpa Great Lion Taiko donated the backpacks as an expression of gratitude to the community that has supported them and encouragement for the children who will lead the next generation. On the day of the ceremony, 10 backpacks were lined up at the venue, and the Zanpa Great Lion Taiko's shishi-mai (lion dance) performers picked up each one in the lion's mouth and handed them to members of the Jiaohui Theater Company. The event was met with warm applause from the many visitors who watched. At the end of the ceremony, spectators joined in dancing the "kachāshī" — an essential part of Okinawan celebrations — bringing the event to a lively and festive close. For Okinawa World as well, this ceremony provided an opportunity to reaffirm its connection with the local community alongside the performing groups that regularly hold shows at the facility.