The 7th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival

Title:

Don’t Give in to COVID-19; Cheer on the World

Nodoka Tanaka （9 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I tried my best to freely paint, and to paint with lots of color.

Whale sharks and manta rays swim happily in the sea surrounded by flags of all nations, and perhaps a girl, sails across the sea on a Hārī boat. The colors are gentle and it is a heartwarming work.

Title:

Fluffy and Peaceful Okinawa

Ruka Takei （10 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I painted this paining and added color with the hope that Okinawa will always (and from now on) be a peaceful place.

The spotted garden eel named "Okinawa," the green earth, the dancing dolphins and fishes, and the fluttering flags of all nations convey the heartfelt wish for a peaceful Okinawa through the heartwarming nature of the painting.

Title:

Fun Okinawa

Chura Uechi （9 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I am hoping that people who cannot come to Okinawa will be able to enjoy themselves by looking at my painting.

Even those who cannot come to the prefecture because of Covid-19 will be able to take a hand and connect with each other, and the Shisa, whale sharks, and turtles will all welcome them with smiles. It is a work that invokes a feeling of joy in us.

Title:

Exciting World Party

Kii Tobaru （9 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I painted with the hope that everyone in the world would become friends with each other, and everyone in the world would smile and laugh.

There are children laughing happily on the round globe with different countries drawn on it, hibiscus, whale sharks, and Shisa watching over them while smiling at them. It's a fun work.

Title:

Varieties of Okinawa

Maya Hoshikado （9 years old）

Okinawa Kai of Washington D.C. (United States of America)

I painted while thinking about the imaginary characters playing and having a good time in Okinawa.

There is a happy Shisa playing the Sanshin and these unique characters seem to be enjoying the Uchinānchu festival. The search for Goya is also a wonderful idea.

Title:

Helping Okinawan Culture and Spirit Spread their Wings around the World

Koto Izena （13 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I packed all the goodness of Okinawa into the painting.

Okinawan culture such as Eisa and Sanshin, Shuri Castle, flora and fauna, and Okinawan scenery are well depicted, and the charm of Okinawa is powerfully expressed.

Title:

Dance and Uchinanchu

Kaori Hirai （16 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I painted a scene of Uchinānchu from all over the world, happy to have met each other and happily dancing the traditional forms of Okinawan culture Kachāshī, Eisa, and the Ryukyuan dance.

Through the unique Okinawan forms of culture of the Ryukyuan dance, Kachāshi, and Eisa, the painting conveys the enthusiasm and the unity of Uchinānchu who have gathered in Okinawa from all over the world.

Title:

Proud to be an Uchinanchu

Mariana Harumi Toma Suárez （13 years old）

Republic of Peru

I'm inspired and proud to participate in the competition organized by Uchinanchu.

From the expressions on the characters' faces in the work, we can see the excitement and pride of the Uchinānchu from all over the world as they parade, by completing a work of art that will raise expectations for the festival.

Title:

Treasure

Mao Uehara （16 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

Wanting people to immediately recognize my paining as Okinawa when they see it, I painted a lot of the traditional aspects of Okinawa. I also wanted to make the painting vivid so I added various colors. Traditions and sea creatures are the treasures of Okinawa. So I chose the title "Treasure" to express my desire to protect them.

The traditional arts of Okinawa, sea creatures, Shīsā, and the colorful painting of the flowers makes it a wonderful complete work, and makes the viewer feel that they must be passed down to the next generation as Okinawan treasures.

Title:

Kachashi Together

Yuika Noborikawa （17 years old）

Okinawa, Japan

I drew Uchinānchu happily dancing Kachāshī together at the grand finale, regardless of gender, race, or country.

The scene of Kachāshī at the grand finale in the painting is expressed with rich colors and expressions that make those who see the painting want to start dancing, and it is a very enjoyable work.