Kadena Air Base

Noguni Sokan Festival

Children sumo wrestle during the Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2013. Events included Kadena Town kids on stage, Tahitian dance, Dragon dance, numerous games and concluded with fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman)

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Noguni Sokan Festival

Chondara dancers perform before the Taiko drummers take the stage during the Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2013. The chondara's job is to entertain bystanders watching the Taiko drummers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman)

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Noguni Sokan Festival

Kadena Language Institute students teach Airmen from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, about traditional Japanese Tea ceremonies at the Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2013. Every year Kadena Town celebrates its great man Noguni Sokan, who, in 1605, brought the sweet potato to Okinawa from China, saving the people from starvation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman)

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Noguni Sokan Festival

Tea is mixed for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Oct. 12, 2013. The traditional ceremony was one of several events during the festival which celebrates Noguni Sokan, who is credited for bringing sweet potatoes from China to Okinawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman)

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Noguni Sokan festival

A Kadena resident, attired as Noguni Sokan (left), watches the parade during the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. Noguni Sokan is a historical celebrity in Kadena, who introduced sweet potatoes from China over 400 years ago and was said to save the locals from starvation, hence the naming of his potato as the “Noguni potato.” This event honors and commemorates Noguni Sokan’s achievements. (Courtesy photo)

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Noguni Sokan festival

A street food vendor grills fish at the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. Food vendors featured a variety of traditional Japanese festival foods for participants to enjoy. (Courtesy photo)

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Noguni Sokan festival

An Okinawan conch shell player plays to the rhythm of the parade during the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. The festival included a parade, eisa, and dances by the Women's Institute and Kadena students to honor the outstanding virtue of Noguni Sokan. (Courtesy photo)

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Noguni Sokan festival

Takahiro Chibana (red player) hurls Toshiki Uechi (white player) in the Kakuriki (Okinawa-style sumo) competition during the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. Kakuriki is a special sumo style which combines judo and wrestling. (Courtesy photo)

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Noguni Sokan festival

Children search for a potato in the “Potato digging competition,” during the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. Noguni Sokan is a historical celebrity in Kadena, who introduced sweet potatoes from China over 400 years ago and was said to save the locals from starvation. (Courtesy photo)

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Noguni Sokan festival

Children play a goldfish scooping game during the 33rd Noguni Sokan Festival in Kadena Kaneku Seaside Park, Japan, Oct. 13, 2013. The festival is an annual two-day event that brings together service members, their families and local residents to enjoy food, games, entertainment and fireworks. (Courtesy photo)

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Service members get a taste of Kadena Town culture

Children at the Noguni Sokan Festival showcase their local culture through Eisa dance on Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 12, 2013. A Japanese tea ceremony, sweet potato digging and sumo wrestling was also featured at the festival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)

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Service members get a taste of Kadena Town culture

Members from across Okinawa watch children perform an Eisa dance at the Noguni Sokan Festival on Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 12, 2013. The festival showcased the local culture and Noguni Sokan, who brought the sweet potato from China to Okinawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)

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Service members get a taste of Kadena Town culture

Published Oct. 15, 2013