Photo By Staff Sgt. Jose O. Nava | A participant of the Henoko Dragon Boat Races watches the opening ceremony May 25 at...... read more read more
Subscribe
OKINAWA, Japan - The sun shines down on the ocean as final preparations are made for the beginning of the annual Henoko Dragon Boat Races May 25 at Matsuda-No-Hama Beach. Okinawa residents, U.S. service members and their families participated in the event.
Before the races, the mayor of Henoko and other city officials offered a prayer and blessed the boats. Henoko village has been hosting dragon boat races for more than 100 years, according to the village’s historical records.
U.S. Marines have participated in the races since the early 1970s, according to Fumio Iha, the community relations specialist with Camp Schwab.
“I think it’s important to show and share culture, particularly between the Americans and the host country here in Okinawa, Japan,” said Samuel H. Epperson, narrator for the races and retired Marine sergeant major. “It’s important sharing a part of what has transpired many years ago.”
Historically, dragon boat races, known as “hare” in northern Okinawa, were held for the god of the sea. The participants asked that the ocean provide an abundant harvest of seafood, and most importantly to request the safety of the fishermen, according to the office of the liaison and community relations on Camp Schwab.
In modern times, the dragon boat races also provide an opportunity to build stronger bonds within the community, and participate in a unique cultural event.
“A couple of times I was given the chance to practice with American teams, and March through May every year the Marine Corps (participants) ask the Japan Self-Defense Force to practice together for the May Naha harii boat race festival,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Takahiko Hirata, an underwater explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. “There are so many female American teams, more female teams compared to men’s teams. On the weekends we see them often, and we offer them our support by steering the boat for them, in particular with the team ‘the Summer Dragons.’”
More than 30 teams participated in the races, and each team was comprised of ten team members: eight paddlers, a drummer, and a coxswain. The paddlers propelled the boat forward while the drummer provided a rhythmic beat to keep the paddlers in sync as the coxswain steered the vessel. The main goal for each team was to get back to the beach as quickly as possible after paddling their boat out 200 meters, turning around a buoy, and racing back.
“(The race) was smoother this year than it has been previous years,” said Epperson, a Chattanooga, Tenn., native. “Henoko village has ten sections and they competed in the final heat, but before that we had the guest teams, which included 24 men’s teams and 12 ladies’ teams.”
Of the guest teams involved, seven were comprised of Marines assigned to Camp Schwab. Some of the other teams included spouses of service members stationed on Okinawa.
“I’m a mom of three girls,” said Amber Zeigler, a Johnson City, Tenn., native and spouse of Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin D. Zeigler. “For my daughters to see me out here racing and cheering me on, it’s amazing. This sport has given me the opportunity to grow as a mom, as a wife, as a woman, and it’s beyond amazing to have my girls see this.”
After the races were completed, the mayor of Henoko presented the winning team the trophy and their prizes. Every team that participated in the races received recognition during the closing ceremony.
The first place winner for the Henoko residential sections was Residential Section Eight with a time of 3 minutes, 30 seconds. First place for the guest teams was the Kaikon Hari Club with a time of 2 minutes, 59 seconds. For the women’s teams, the first place winner was the Summer Dragon team B with a time of 3 minutes, 27 seconds.
As the event wound down and the tents were dismantled, participants lingered to enjoy the beach. Some of them spoke of the day’s events while others thought about what the future will hold for the races.
“I think American participation in the event put an extra spark into the event itself,” said Hirata. “If they have spare time, we would like to see more people from the American side come and participate.”
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2014 05:17 |
| Story ID: | 131886 |
| Location: | MATSUDA-NO-HAMA BEACH, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | CHATTANOOGA, TN, US |
| Hometown: | JOHNSON CITY, TN, US |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Okinawa residents, Marines take part in tradition with dragon boat races, by SSgt Jose O. Nava, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT