To those of you who were there. This was truly one of our best performances to date. You may not know this but our teacher, adviser, and friend Seji is leaving for Hawaii soon and we wanted to send him off in style. We may have had quite a few new dancers but we all pulled together to create something fantastic. The audience was surely stunned at the performance they received. We got to meet a lot of old friends such and Yasu and Kuniko the story tell whom we have come to have very good repor with. We also made new friends like the KU Asa group, Yoshiko Yamanaka, and Katsura Kaishi whom I have been told is quite famous in Japan and now in America. We did several dances Enough to fill 30 min and each greeted with resounding applause. It seems Yosakoi is just infectious you can't help but get into the dancing and the music.

The trip itself started in the early morning before anyone should ever be roused from the comforts of their bed. We made out way to KC stopping only once at a convenience store. Arriving we stretched, got our bearings, and went though our dances in the court yard. The festival was for the most part set up the same way it always is The large Tori gate as you walk in with the dress up area for "authentic" Asian style pictures. Both theaters are to the right as well. I know I spent most of my time in the Polsky Theater. I did make it over to Yardley in time to clap and cheer for our own Jun who came in 2nd in the talent show and Yassu who came in first.

After the festival we went to our favorite sushi spot in KC called Sushi Gin. (It's at 95th and Nall) We probably ate more than was needed but this was a a special occasion as I said previously. Seji's last show, good times and good food and so it was even more important to finish that off with a good adventure. In classic road trip style we found our Caravan lost for a bit in Lawrence nothing we couldn't find our way out of but if did allow for a few laughs and more time with the family we have all come to call Yosakoi. As I'm sure I speak for the whole group we will miss both Seji and Chikako Ikeda and always think of you fondly good luck in what ever you do. Hope to see you again soon. Thank you so much for this family you helped create.

-Jordan M

Labels: Yosakoi sushi kansas city japanese japan

Five members of the KSU Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club performed at Grandview Elementary School in Junction City on Tuesday, September 30th for their "Heritage Night."



All across the school's gym, there were tables set up with displays from a variety of different countries and their cultures. Yosakoi even had an informational booth to display. It was very exciting to learn about other heritages and share some of the Japanese culture with the audience.

We were even honored to be mentioned and have a picture in the Junction City newspaper, The Daily Union! Check out the article: http://www.dailyu.com/newsdetail.asp?article_id=2481

If you'd like to have the K-State Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club perform at one of your upcoming events, please contact our President, Cami Riblett (criblett@ksu.edu).

Click the image to make it bigger.

The activities carnival held each semester is a great opportunity for students who are looking to get more involved to find an organization matching their interests. It also provides great opportunities for student organizations to recruit new and excited students to join their organizations. KSU Yosakoi had a table at this event for the purpose of recruiting potential new members. We were very successful and many students seemed to be interested in our club.

Yosakoi also had the chance to perform the song, "Yosakoi Soran" on stage in the middle of the Union Courtyard. The activity fair was crowded with people on each floor of the union who stopped to watch our performance. We were greeted with a nice round of applause and more people wanting to join our organization.

Our club is excited for this upcoming year! It proves to be busy, yet fun times ahead.

This years Banquet was measurable one of our most emotional. Seeing quite a few passionate Yosakoi dancers leaving; setting the stage for their lives elsewhere. One of these being Seji the director and in some sense the birth mother of Yosakoi not only in Kansas but in the United States. Still we will push to be just as good if not better in the new years to show him our conviction to the cause he set for us. We will also be losing many dancers Holly, Austin, Takuma, Rebecca, Miyuki, Michelle, Chikako, Yuka, Caroline, and Lenka. All of you will be missed and we fully expect you all to set up sister clubs where ever you settle.

That being said the Banquet started out with different creations from each of the members contributing much the same as they do for yosakoi each in their own way. While we ate we enjoyed a great deal of photo's from this past year. Soon after that we played several games one being Bingo for door prizes and simple Merriment. Then it was time for the awards to be handed out and this tends to be just as emotional as the goodbyes. Special observance was paid to Cami for her most dedicated attitude towards Yosakoi. The director himself said he feels safe leaving the club in her capable hands. Then we moved on to goodbyes only heightening the emotion already present. These are usually some of the hardest moments in Yosakoi... having to say goodbye to friends whom are family. As mentioned above we ended the goodbyes with Seji which was quite an ending with messages from many of the members, gifts, awards, web cam talking from over sea's members And finally Seji's on take on the past few years. After that it was clean up and reminiscences time with the rest of the members unfortunately my family was in town and I had to cut out early. But this was one of the best banquets we have ever had. Special thanks go out to Cami and QisXia for all the decorations and putting this banquet together and to Jordan and Seji for creating the awards and photo mementos.

Good luck to all those preforming in Japan!

Labels: Banquet yosakoi Seji

We had a small birthday surprise for Ada during one of our practice breaks today. Ada's father and mother arranged for a cake and asked us to surprise her with a song. We said that we were about to have a serious talk about the Japan Trip, and then we all broke in by singing "Happy Birthday"! It was some good cake and QiuXia also brought candy for all of us as well!

Today was also Yasuo's last day for practice. :-( So, we all shook his hand and he had some nice good-bye words for all of us. He did mention that he lived close to Minako's house, so he would visit us when we go to Yokohama this summer. Good luck Yasuo and we wish you well!!

Labels: social

By chance, Seiji found out there was an opportunity for one last performance at K-State. The Dance Department was hosting a "Dance Student Spotlight" in Forum Hall on April 30, 2008. Cami was able to book the event, and the group performed "Gakko-yo-kyouzai Soran-bushi" in their new happi uniforms! They were about 19 different student choreographed performances, with Yosakoi having the largest number of dancers of the night. The evening finished off with all the dancers doing a closing dance for the audience. Great job you all!!! \(^o^)/

Labels: performance

Well as far as adverse weather goes there was plenty leading up to this Sunday, saturating the ground with life bringing water. However, a very clear and cool afternoon greeted us merry making picnic goers as we settled under the cherry blossom trees. While we were all assumed to bring our own food... most brought items for all to share thus further making the dinning in the petal falling shaded area even more delightful. With the sweet smells of both the foods prepared and the newness of spring blossoming all around us. We finished our sack lunches and fancied our spare time with some games. From activities where you had to clap and mimic the actions and gestures of others to a Japanese game of categories aptly titled "Happy Water." Altogether the day was full of fond memories and the always splendid company of our fellow yosakoi members.

Jordan---

Labels: cherry blossom picnic yosakoi

On Saturday, April 19th, Yosakoi performed at the Kansas State University Open House. Many activities were going on all day throughout the campus. Yosakoi was featured as one of the performers for this event, performing outside for a small crowd. The dances Gakkoyokyozai and Basara were performed. Also, a third dance, Soran Illusion, was debuted.

In addition to fun dancing, Yosakoi members were pleased to have their first performance in new happi coats! The new happi coats are red, yellow, and black with circles and sakura print. They were very dramatic for the outdoor performance.

After the performance, a small group of Yosakoi dancers went to the Union together to watch the Marching Cobras perform. The Marching Cobras is a stepping group from Kansas City. Yosakoi members were also invited to dance with the Marching Cobras during a portion of their performance!!

On April 17, 2008, seven members of the Yosakoi team danced for the International Showcase put on by the Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority. It was held at the International Student Center with a great turn out. Along with Yosakoi dance, many other campus organizations performed for the crowd. After the show, there were free snacks for the performers and audience. There were samples of food from all of the different countries represented at the showcase.

At this particular performance, we were able to debut our new happi!! The audience was impressed at the new costume change and it was fun to dance in them!

If you'd like to have the K-State Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club perform at one of your upcoming events, please contact our Director, Seiji Ikeda (seiji306@hotmail.com) or our President, Cami Riblett (criblett@ksu.edu).

Lately, Yosakoi members have gained some notoriety in public. First, Vice-President Elect QiuXia was featured in a gallery show of K-State's Journalism Photo Show in the Union. And, in today's article, Andrew is the main photo for the article on last weekend's Japanese Festival: click here to read it.

Labels: news

Saturday, April 12th, the KSU Yosakoi Japanese dance team performed at the Central Kansas Japanese Festival held in the K-State Union in Manhattan, Kansas.

The team was pleased to be included in opening ceremonies in the courtyard. They danced two songs, "Samurai" and "Shachihoko". Team members also participated in other activities going on during the festival such as the Bon-odori dance workshops, Japanese calligraphy and many other events. Later in the afternoon, during the stage performances, Yosakoi performed "Basara" and Gakkoyokyozai" for the audience.

Other performances featured were the Eisa Okinawa Dance, performed by the KU Japanese Student Association. An Okinawa music performance of two songs, Nada Sou Sou (All My Tears) and Shima Uta (Island Song), was performed by one of our Yosakoi members Miyuki Shimizu along with Haruki Sato and Jun Tadaki.

Kuniko Yamamoto performed story telling time with traditional musical instruments, masks, origami and mime. One of our Yosakoi members Minako Nemoto and Jun Tadaki performed two songs, Hana (Flower) and Sakura Yokocho (Cherry Blossum Alley) to the audience's delight. The KSU Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble also performed a medley of songs from the movie "My Neighbor Totoro." The final performance of the evening was Taiko, performed by the KU Taiko Club.

Once the festival was over, all the participants gathered at the International Student Center for a post-festival celebration. There was wonderful food provided and everyone enjoyed socializing!

On Sunday, April 6, the Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club performed in the International Talent Show at McCain auditorium. The event featured various performances from the different international student groups at K-State.

Yosakoi opened the evening with a performance of Basara accompanied by colorful lighting as a backdrop. After several more acts and a brief intermission, Yosakoi performed again, this time debuting a new dance, Shachihoko. This dance, combining hip-hop and the traditional Japanese art of Noh, is a dance the club plans to perform in Japan this summer.

The performance was well-received, and the show was an energetic kick-off to International Week 2008. The Yosakoi club plans to participate in other events for International Week, including International Dance Lessons on April 11 and the KSU Japan Festival on April 12.

Labels: performance

The KSU Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club had the opportunity to perform at KU's Japan Festival on Saturday, April 5, 2008. We performed for this festival last year and were excited to be asked to return again!



The KU Japan Festival was held in the Kansas Union Woodruff Auditorium and consisted of performances from 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm and workshops right after until 7 pm.

For our first song, some of the girls danced "Basara" in colorful, pretty yukatas! The nice variety of yukatas really stood out and made the dance very fun!!



The second song started out with Minako, one of our members, singing an introduction to "Gakkoyoukyouzai" and other members working in the fields. This introduction to Gakkoyoukyouzai was a song that workers would sing to pass along the time while they worked.

Everyone seemed impressed with this fast-paced song and we received numerous compliments on this performance.

After our performances, KSU Yosakoi got to check out the workshops at the KU Festival. There, we had the chance to practice Taiko drums, calligraphy, get our nails done with 'nail-art' and other fun activities. It was nice to spend time with Yosakoi members in Lawrence and experience the KU Japan Festival's events.

We look forward to returning next year!