2018 Participants from Japan & Hawaii

Hiki Gatari Japanese Folk Songs
Japanese Enka and Folk music by Kinjiro Shiomi
宮崎県延岡市（九州）で建築大工の棟梁をしています。１９４９年生まれです。趣味は、狩猟で宮崎県鳥獣保護員として山間をバイクパトロールしています。２０１６年には、宮崎県知事からの表彰を受けました。１０年前にピアノ演奏を始めました。若い時の日本の有名歌手・加山雄三が、弾き語りしていることにあこがれたのが理由です。今回、桜祭りに参加し、皆さまの前で弾き語りすることを楽しみにしています。皆さまには、演歌とフォークソングを披露いたします。
I, Kinjiro Shiomi, born in 1949, am a construction carpenter’s leader of Nobeoka-city, Miyazaki-prefecture (Kyushu Island) in Japan. My hobby is hunting and patrolling on the mountains bikes as wildlife conservator.
In 2016, I received an award for the effort from the Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture. I started playing the piano 10 years ago. When I was young, I was longing for Japanese famous singer Yuzo Kayama to play and sing. I am honored to be able to play and sing in front of you. I will show you Japanese Enka and Folk Song.

Sachiko Takahashi & OCARINA オカリナサークル
Ocarina flute music
オカリナは、イタリア語の「ＯＣＡ（ガチョウ）」に由来する言葉で、土を焼いて作った優しい音色の楽器です。
私、高橋佐知子は、宮城県仙台市で音楽教室を主宰し、ピアノ、エレクトーン、大正琴、ヴィオリアとオカリナを指導しています。今回の桜祭りには、私が指導する２０ヶ所のオカリナサークルの中から１８名が参加します。今回のステージでは、３オクターブの音域が出るトリプルオカリナで演奏します。私は、毎年９月開催の仙台市定禅寺ストリート・ジャズ・フェスティバルや宮城県庁ロビー・コンサート等で演奏活動中です。昨年８月には、南太平洋のパラオ共和国でコンサートを開催しました。私たちオカリナサークルは、桜祭りでの演奏披露をとても楽しみにしています。皆さん、是非、お楽しみください。
OCARINA made by burning soil, is a music instrument with a gentle tone. It is derived from OCA (goose) in Italy. I, Sachiko Takahashi, am presiding the music school in Sendai, Miyagi and teaching Piano, Keyboard, Violia, Taishogoto and Ocarina. In this cherry blossom festival, 18 people from 20 clubs I teach will participate and also I will play with Triple Ocarina where three octaves range with them. I am performing at the Sendai Street Jazz Festival held every September and Miyagi prefectural lobby concert. Last August I held a concert in the Republic of Palau in the South Pacific. We are very much looking forward to playing at this Cherry Blossom Festival. Everyone, come on, please enjoy.

Senju Kai Hawaii
Okinawan Dance Academy by Shihan and Artistic Director Frances Nakachi Kuba
Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo, is an Okinawan Dance Academy in Hawaii which was established 21 years ago under the direction of Frances Nakachi Kuba Sensei. Their mission is promoting, preserving and perpetuating over 500 years of rich Okinawan culture and traditions through their dance.
Through their heartfelt artistry, they strive to enrich lives, inspire hope and bring joy. The academy is dedicated to cultivate and nurture individual talents and potentials, bridge communities and build everlasting friendships and family.
Currently, there are approximately 30 students and their age ranges from 3 to 78 years young. All the students could not make it this year however, would like to participate in the near future. The academy has been active in promoting Okinawan culture by performing not only in Hawaii but performing in Japan, Okinawa, Washington and New York.
This is their first time in participating in the Sakura Matsuri in San Francisco and are very excited to be part of this auspicious event. They look forward in working together in sharing this culture of joy and building everlasting friendships.
The Academy would like to thank you from the bottom of their heart for this opportunity to share the Okinawan culture. Ippee Nihee deebiru! (thank you in Okinawan)

TiA
Japanese Recoding Artist
TiA signed a contract with Epic Records when she was just 16. She became famous for her song “Ryuusei” which was one of the ending theme songs in NARUTO. TiA received a Gold Disc Award for her first album and recently released her new single, “Galaxy Ride.” TiA was commended as an IFA United Nations NGO-OCCAM International Ambassador-Singer for her efforts in encouraging cultural exchanges between Japan and the United States.

Eden Aoba Taiko
Taiko
Eden Aoba Taiko was formed in 1997 to promote the Japanese musical art of Taiko drumming under the direction of Masa Fukuizumi. The group started with 6 people and increased to 50 by the end of the year. Members’ ages range from 6 years old to more than 80. We believe that Taiko is for everyone, no matter what your age.

エデン青葉太鼓は太鼓を日本の伝統音楽芸術として広める事を目的として、1997年に福泉マサの指導の下で創設されました。当初、6人だったメッンバーは同年末には50人までに増えました。６歳から８０歳超のメンバー達が太鼓を楽しんでいます。太鼓は年齢に関係なく誰もが楽しめるものと信じています。