Chungcheongnam-do

The Floral language of the sunflower is 'passion and yearning'. Thirty sunflowers blossomed at the Sixth Rice Straw Cultural Festival at Oeam Folk Village in Asan on the 23rd of October. The members of Himawari(a sunflower in Japanese), consisting of Japanese housewives from Cheonan, performed a Japanese traditional folk dance called Hanacasionto that has been handed down to the northern prefecture of Japan. The spectators who were watching the dance highly applauded them, clapping their hands.

Mrs. Otane Makiko(45), who is currently leading the Himawari Group, said, "We sometimes yearn for our hometowns in Japan, but it is more important for us to be satisfied with the present life". In 1996 they organized the Himawari Group, composed of 20 Japanese housewives. They used to meet just to chat at that time in order to excite nostalgia. The number of the members has increased to more than 100 at present. The purpose of the folk dance they initially performed was to divert their nostalgic minds. Actually, the performances serve as the bridge between Korea and Japan.

They initially performed a Japanese folk dance at the Floral Festival held in Anmyeon-do Island. At present, they are participating in various kinds of events held in Korea and are playing a wonderful role as a cultural mission to Korea.
The members of Himawari had various kinds of past careers. For instance, one was an artist, another a piano teather, and another a nurse. Entitled to obtain a permanent residence permit since September this year, they are now looking for jobs.

Mrs. Otane Makiko(45), president of the group, said, "We hope to participate in the World Ginseng Expo to be held next year and to do various activities such as volunteer translator service. We earnestly request Chungnam Provincial Government to provide us with proper work".