CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Last week the doorbell rang nano-seconds after I had gotten both my boys down for their glorious afternoon nap. Maltsby barked and I dashed to the door praying that the boys would sleep through the ringing and the woof-ing. On the other side of the door, three men were asking for money for a local EISA performance that would be drumming, singing, dancing and hooting down the street any minute. No doubt that would wake the boys. But for Eisa in the streets, I gladly give up naps and yen.
So it came to pass that instead of napping, my boys and I joined our neighbors on the sidewalk to watch the every move and bang and holler of the dancers.
That Eisa. It gets me in the gut. In my clenched throat. In my welled-up eyes. In my shortened breath. As the thudding and silence pulse through me.
I agree. I love the Eisa and the overall happy feeling you get when the community comes together. We live in Gushikawa right next door to a Japanese preschool and we get front row tickets to fireworks and festival activities. It’s awesome living in a place that loves to celebrate as a community. BTW, my kids can sleep through anything! They are in bed by 6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. and don’t wake up til the next morning. Not even the Eisa performers above could wake up those kids! What can I say, I’m blessed! (smile)
“That Eisa. It gets me in the gut. In my clenched throat. In my welled-up eyes. In my shortened breath. As the thudding and silence pulse through me.” You have so eloquently said just exactly what I feel when watching these performers. I will truly miss Obon and Eisa when the time comes to leave the island.