Toru Yonaha

Akabanaa, the Okinawan shop on the second floor of the Miyako Mall in San Francisco’s Japantown, will be celebrating the second anniversary of its opening on Saturday, July 5.

The Chikaho-Kai classical Okinawan dance troupe will be performing. The celebration will also feature famous Okinawan sanshin player Toru Yonaha.

The leaders of Chikaho-Kai, Tomoko Makishi, Yoko Fukumura, and Junichi Ohshiro, will perform two Okinawan dance numbers from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and from 2:30 to 3 p.m. In the evening, Yonaha will give a sanshin performance from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. and then will be signing autographs from 7:30 p.m.

Yonaha began learning sanshin and Ryukyuan dancing at the age of three, and has won many awards in sanshin, taiko, and classical dance at traditional Ryukyuan entertainment contests. He has also performed at major events such as the centennial of the Hawaii-Okinawa diaspora in 2000, and has performed all over Asia as well as the U.S., Canada, and France.

Yonaha has been designated as an officially recognized cultural asset of Japan and has appeared as a guest performer with pop sensation Kyogo Kawaguchi.

Last year, after performing at the centennial of the first Okinawan immigration to Cuba, he visited San Francisco in November and performed at concerts in the city and at Akabanaa.

In addition to selling popular Okinawan goods, Akabanaa serves as a venue for sharing and spreading the beauty of Okinawan culture. It is also a school where people can learn sanshin.
The day of the event, the store will close temporarily from 5:30 until 6 p.m. in order to prepare.

The store is located at 22 Peace Plaza, Suite 520. Entrance is free of charge. For more information, call (415) 567-8565 or visit www.akabanaa.com.