Updated at 5:06 p.m., Monday, August 27, 2007
Japanese obake folklore at cultural center
Advertiser Staff
Obake Odyssey, an exhibit opening at 10 a.m. Sept.15 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i's community gallery, will tackle a centuries-old Japanese theme of supernatural beings infiltrating the culture of Hawai'i with links to the folklore of the Japan.Obake, the word for ghosts or spirits, long have found a place in Island narratives.
"Due to the influence of the large Japanese immigrant population on the islands of Hawai'i, tales and even sightings of specific Japanese obake have found a home in our overall, local narrative," said Christy Takamune, JCCH gallery director, in a statement. "In this exhibit, we wanted to explore how this passing of Japanese folklore from generation to generation in Hawai'i is just another example of how our immigrant culture has merged to become part of our general local culture."
Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The exhibit continues until Oct. 31. Admission is free.
Information: 945-7633.
