JCCH - Exhibit - OBAKE ODYSSEY - Kaimuki

Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii

Kaimuki, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item
JCCH - Exhibit - OBAKE ODYSSEY
Tweet
Type: Exhibit
Date: Wednesday - 10/31/2007
Time:
Location:
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i
Community Gallery
2454 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96826

For more information call (808) 945-7633
Cost: FREE

Exhibit Name: OBAKE ODYSSEY

Location of the event: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH) Community Gallery
Date and Time: GRAND OPENING: Saturday, September 15 at 10 a.m. Open until October 31.
Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Description of event: Obake. Utter this Japanese word and it often evokes images of mysterious mujina (faceless ghosts) and bakeneko (cat-like spirits). Though the term, obake or obakemono, originated from Japanese folklore hundreds of years ago, stories of these supernatural beings have weaved its way into the culture of Hawai‘i and will come to life in this latest Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH) exhibition. Sponsored by Ben Franklin Stores and Nippon Golden Network.

“Due to the influence of the large Japanese immigrant population on the islands of Hawai‘i, tales and sightings of specific Japanese obake have found a home in our overall, local narrative,” said Christy Takamune, JCCH gallery director. “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.”

Takamune explained the shared obake legends between Hawai‘i and Japan is apparent in infamous accounts such as the faceless woman at the old Wai‘alae Drive Inn Theater on O‘ahu.
“This Hawai'i story can be traced back to the old Japanese tale, The Mujina of the Akasaka Road,” said Takamune. “The Japanese version is about a man who traveled along the Akasaka Road to Edo in Japan, and came across a young woman who was crying and sad. After trying to comfort the young woman and offer his help, she turned to face him and scared him with a blank, smooth sheet of skin where her face should have been.”

Through examples of local art work, shared cultural superstitions and storytelling, the exhibit depicts how historical Japanese folklore has materialized and evolved in the framework of Hawai‘i’s supernatural occurrences and beliefs.

Exhibit visitors will also have the chance to share their own ghost stories via a confessional booth.
“Many of us have heard about—or may have even experienced—supernatural occurrences in Hawai‘i,” said Mandy Westfall, JCCH programs director who is assisting with exhibit research. “Whether it be a choking ghost or seeing spiritual fireballs, such phenomena stems from intrinsic historical and cultural beliefs in Hawai‘i. We invite people to continue to preserve our unique Island’s folklore by recording their own experiences.”

In spirit of sharing personal ghost stories, the exhibit will also pay tribute to the late Hawai‘i folklorist Glen Grant, who helped to share and preserve these local obake tales throughout the years.
Primarily known for his Obake Files, a collection of articles and stories regarding native and imported folktales and mythology in Hawai‘i, Grant was also the author of the Chicken Skin series of ghost story anthologies, as well as host of the long-running radio show of the same name.

“Mr. Grant showed us just how much obake legends from Japan have influenced us in Hawai‘i today,” Westfall said. “And, though he is no longer with us, we hope to honor his memory and continue his legacy of sharing these spooky tales through our newest exhibition and related events.”

Cost/Entry Fee: Free admission.

Public contact information: Phone: (808) 945-7633, www.jcch.com.

Name of sponsoring organization: The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. The JCCH features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts d�j�, Seik�an Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop.

####

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

Kaimuki, Hawaii Event Calendar Item

JCCH - Exhibit - OBAKE ODYSSEY

Kaimuki, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item