Choichi Terukina Sensei Statue Unveil 16 September 2024
“SA- MAKUTU FWITUCHI” Seeing his statue, I could still hear Terukina Choichi sensei
singing Nakafu Bushi. It is one of the beloved songs of sensei, and one he is well known for
by how he sings it. It was a chicken-skin moment witnessing and experiencing the unveiling
of Terukina sensei’s statue. Honestly, it was a bittersweet moment. I felt a swell of pride
when they pulled the sheet off as we started to sing the first “SA-“ of Nakafu Bushi, yet I still
miss him…
Terukina Choichi sensei’s statue is located in the China Kuraji Park in China, Chinen, Nanjo
City. Not only is China his hometown, but the location of the statue, which is currently infill,
was where sensei used to play on the seashore as a child. The direction of his statue is
facing the famous spiritual power spot of Sefa-Utaki and Kudaka Island in the Pacific
Ocean.
Monday, September 16, 2024 was a hot and sunny day in Terukina sensei’s hometown of Nanjo City. Because of the fear of a nearby typhoon, Ryukyu Shinpo (who took the lead in the statue funding and unveiling) unnecessarily moved the unveiling from Sunday,September 15 th. Others were worried too, but I said not to worry because Terukina sensei will make it sunny. If you were fortunate to hear sensei announce clear weather on a number of performance days, it was with no doubt; it was almost like he had a direct line to a higher source – even if it was raining the day before. And Sunday was no different; the typhoon broke up and headed away from Okinawa.
There were tents and chairs set up with many dignitaries including politicians,National Living Treasures of Japan, pillars in the Okinawan performing arts community, journalists,local residents, and many supporters.
There were twenty uta sanshin players: ten from Afuso Ryu Gensei Kai and ten from Afuso Ryu Choichi Kai. I was blessed to have been asked to perform, and also got moved to the front row to represent Choichi Kai USA. The event kicked off at 3:00pm with a Shinto ceremony followed by opening numbers of
Kajadifu Bushi, Guyin Bushi, and Agi Chikuten Bushi. We sang Kajadifu Bushi with lyrics sensei created years ago, “AGARI AKA AKA TU CHIMUN HARIBARITU SANSHIN NU HIBIKI SHIKE NI TUDUKI” 東り明かあかと 肝も晴ればれと 三線のひびき 世界に届け.
There were speeches made by those in charge of this project. Junichi Tomita-san who was the past president of the Ryukyu Shinpo headed up this project. He spoke of all the things that Terukina sensei did to promote the Okinawan culture – including the Carnegie Hall performance in 2019, and about Terukina sensei expanding outside of Japan to Hawaii. It is important to note that he recognized Afuso Ryu Choichi Kai Hawaii not only playing a role in realizing sensei’s dream about promoting Afuso Ryu but about helping all keep the
Okinawan culture abroad for generations to come including helping Nomura Ryu Dento Ongaku Kyokai open a chapter in Hawaii in 2017. I was unexpectedly asked to stand and be recognized on behalf of Choichi Kai Hawaii. After the speeches, all of the thirty dignitaries were recognized and called up to help unveil the statue. Masanduu sensei was one of those dignitaries. Had he been there, he would have sat up front in a reserved seat
(There was an actual seat tag with his name on it).
After all of the dignitaries took their places and held onto the red and white ropes that would pull the white sheet off of Terukina sensei, we started the utamochi for Nakafu Bushi. There was a rush of journalists and audience members to the front to get a good view of the ultimate unveiling. As soon as we sang the first syllable, “SA-!” they unveiled his statue with his heart-warming smile playing sanshin.When the dignitaries finished group photos and returned to their seats, other speeches by representatives from the Okinawa Prefectural Government and Nanjo City ensued.Terukina Tomokuni sensei w/ Mama at his side concluded the speeches.
It was a very beautiful event that ended with the sun setting behind sensei. Thank you to everyone who donated funds for Terukina sensei’s statue. Your donation not only helped in the creation and construction of the statue and monument, but it will also fund the maintenance of the statue for generations to come. The total donated from Afuso Ryu Choichi Kai USA was ¥1,500,000 and was presented to the Ryukyu Shinpo on July 24,
