The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai is an organization dedicated to the preservation of Okinawan customs and traditions. Our membership is comprised of both Okinawans, Okinawan descendants and non-Okinawan members who share our love for the Okinawan culture. There are about one hundred fifty families in the Chicagoland area and we also have many other members from as far away as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and even California. Each year we have two primary gatherings in the Chicago area. The first one is to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year and the second one is to gather for our annual Kenjinkai picnic. Both events are huge hits with our membership due to the fellowship experienced and sharing of traditional Okinawan foods in the "pot-luck" style. Many of our members are also performers who participate in traditional cultural activities designed to keep the Okinawan culture alive in the Chicagoland area. The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai offers its members the chance to learn Okinawan folk and royal court dances from Okinawa, Sanshin, and Taiko drumming in the Ryukyu eisa style. There are three seperate groups that meet on Saturdays in Arlington Heights Illinois. Taiko drumming is the forte of our first group, the Matsuri Daiko group, who give frequent performances through out the Chicagoland area. Our sanshin group teaches members of all abilities to play sanshin a traditional instrument of the Ryukyu islands. The Odori dance group is the third group which strives to perfect the ability of our members in the art of traditional Okinawan dancing. All lessons are free to our members and members are encouraged to partake in these fun filled activities.
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*NEWS FLASH* OKINAWAN KARATE CLASS AT MITSUWA MARKETPLACE *NEWS FLASH*
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THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE CHICAGO OKINAWA KENJINKAI'S OFFICIAL WEB SITE! TO NAVIGATE, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO FIND OUT WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION HAS TO OFFER. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND WILL CONSIDER ADDING US TO YOUR FAVORITES FOR FUTURE VISITS!
CONTACTING THE CHICAGO OKINAWA KENJINKAI
Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai - President: Mieko Zukeran
1(773)818-4713
Public Information Officer - Thomas Corrao
1(262) 960-6332

 

This site is developed and maintained by Tom Corrao - Public Relations Officer to the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai and Minkan Taishi

Content Contributors include: Teiko Tursi - Okinawan Consultant to the Kenjinkai Webmaster

If you would like to contribute or have special talents the would be useful to furthering the purpose of of promoting Okinawan culture the please contact Tom Corrao at the email link above to discuss your participation. Participants are not limited to our membership and we welcome input from outside sources.

©2010 Official Contact Info:

Please send postal correspondence to: Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai P.O. Box 721 Geneva, IL 60134-0721

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