Seattle Kokon Taiko and Shorecrest's Soran Bushi Take Center Stage

The sounds of drums and dance filled Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park Sunday afternoon as a crowd of 300 listened and watched an exhibition of Japanese-American culture as well as support Japan's efforts to rebuild and recover from the massive earthquake and tsunami last month. 

Seattle Kokon Taiko, one of the most established Japanese-American drum performance groups in the Pacific Northwest, led off with an energized performance. 

Shorecrest High School’s Soran Bushi team took the stage next to perform their version of the traditional Japanese Fisherman’s Dance.  Based on a sea shanty said to have originated in Hokkaido, Northern Japan, Soran Bushi depicts fisherman dragging nets, pulling ropes, and carrying luggage over their shoulders. Members of the group who performed included Sho Kato, Briana Oshiro, Eric Alejandrino, Emma Orton, David Brzovic, Michael Pan, Emma Anderson, Emma Kearney and Zac Loeffelsen. Members who were not present include Emily Cummins, Daniel Lizarraga, Thea Henderson and Phong Tran. 

Participants then folded origami cranes for a local Senbarazu project organized by Laura Fournier.  Traditionally, one thousand cranes symbolize world peace, and these will be sent to Japan as an expression of support.

Peace Winds America, a disaster relief organization serving the Asia Pacific, accepted donations to help earthquake and tsunami victims. All contributions to Peace Winds America will go directly to Peace Winds Japan for emergency supplies and services to disaster survivors.