Okinawan music facts for kids
Okinawan music is the special sound of the Okinawa Islands in southwestern Japan. It also includes the music from the nearby Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands. This music has deep roots in the older musical traditions of all the Southern Islands.
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Types of Okinawan Music
People in Okinawa often divide their music into two main types: koten (classical) and min'yō (folk). A music expert named Susumu Kumada also added a third type: "popular music." This describes songs that became famous after the old kingdom ended in 1879.
Classical Music
Ryukyuan classical music was the music played in the royal court of the old Ryūkyū Kingdom. One type, called Uzagaku, was chamber music played inside Shuri Castle. Important officials performed this music as part of their duties.
This music often uses a style called heterophony. This means different instruments play slightly different versions of the same main tune at the same time.
Folk Music
For a long time, the ruling class thought of Okinawan folk music as "low culture." But later, people started to appreciate it more. Folk music is known by the Japanese term min'yō. After the kingdom ended, some people shared the fancy music from the capital city of Shuri with other parts of Okinawa. Some of these new songs are now seen as folk music.
Okinawan folk songs are usually played with one or more sanshin.
Sometimes, folk song titles end with -ondo or -bushi. These words both mean "song" or "melody." Eisā and kachāshī are special Okinawan dances that have their own unique music styles.
Children's Songs
Warabi uta is a general name for nursery rhymes and songs for children.
Popular Music
New Folk Songs
"New min'yō" are songs made in the style of traditional Okinawan folk music. Many modern Okinawan musicians have written these songs. You might hear these songs with modern pop music sounds. A good example is Haisai ojisan, written by Shōkichi Kina.
Sometimes, Okinawan folk songs are called shima-uta. This word comes from the Amami Islands to the north. Some people in Okinawa prefer not to use this term for their music.
Okinawa Pop
After World War II, American rock music influenced Okinawan music. Many musicians started mixing Okinawan folk music and instruments with American pop and rock. This mix is called "Uchinaa pop." For example, Ryukyu Underground combines classical and folk music with modern Dub music.
Musical Instruments
The most important instrument in Okinawan music is the sanshin. It is a three-stringed instrument, like a small guitar, and is very similar to the Chinese sanxian. The body of the sanshin is covered in snake skin. Players pluck it with a special pick worn on their finger.
Okinawan folk music often uses different taiko drums. These include the shime-daiko, hira-daiko, and pārankū. The pārankū is a small drum, like a tambourine. It is often used in eisā dancing.
Other instruments you might hear in Okinawan music are sanba, yotsutake, and hyōshigi. Sanba are three small, flat pieces of wood or plastic. They make quick clicking sounds, like castanets. Yotsutake are two sets of bamboo strips. Players clap them together to the beat. They were traditionally used in classical music but are now also used in eisā dancing.
A group of singers called a hayashi often sings along with folk music. They sing the chorus or shout out encouraging words called kakegoe. Also, finger whistling called yubi-bue is common in kachāshī and eisā dance tunes.
Classical music often uses more instruments. Sometimes these are also used in folk music:
- Kutu – This is an Okinawan version of the koto.
- Kūchō – This is an Okinawan version of the kokyū.
- Fue – This is an Okinawan flute.
Famous Okinawan Songs
| Title | Okinawan name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Tinsaku no hana" "Tinsagu nu Hana" |
てぃんさぐぬ花 | "The Balsam Flowers"; a children's song. Okinawan children used to squeeze juice from balsam flowers to color their fingernails. The song's words teach important lessons. |
| Ishinagu no uta Ishinagu |
石なぐの歌 | "Pebble Song"; a poem written by Gushikawa Chōei. It has a similar message to Japan's national anthem. It uses the same tune as Kajyadifu. |
| "Tanchamee" | 谷茶前 | A song from the village of Tancha in Onna, Okinawa. |
| "Tōshin dōi" | 唐船どーい | "A Chinese Ship Is Coming"; This is the most famous kachāshī dance song. It is often the last song played at an Okinawan folk music show. |
| "Nākunī" | なーくにー | A song that expresses deep feelings of longing. |
| "Haisai ojisan" | ハイサイおじさん | A "new min'yō" song, written by Shoukichi Kina. |
| "Bye-bye Okinawa" | バイバイ沖縄 | Music and words by Sadao China. |
| "Tiidachichinuhikari" "Okinawan Amazing Grace" |
太陽月ぬ光 | A song about the Okinawan religion, sung to the tune of Amazing Grace. |
| "Akata Sun dunchi" "Akata Sundunchi" |
赤田首里殿内 | "Inside Shuri Temple in Akata Village." This old song is now a popular children's song. |
| "Bashōfu" | 芭蕉布 | This song is about Bashoofu, which is Okinawan banana cloth. |
| "Kādikū" | 嘉手久 | A kachāshī dance song about courtship. |
| "Shichi-gwachi eisā" | 七月エイサー | An eisā dance song. |
| "Warabi-gami" | 童神 | A lullaby. |
| "Shima nu hito" | 島ぬ女 | "Island Woman." |
| "Nishinjō bushi" | 西武門節 | Written in 1933 by Matsuo Kawata. |
| "Kajadifū bushi" "Kagiyadefī bushi" |
かじゃでぃ風 | A classical Okinawan dance song. It was played for kings. Today, it is often sung with a dance at Okinawan weddings. |
| "Jin jin" "Jing jing" |
ジンジン | A children's song. The title means "firefly." The song asks the firefly to "come down and drink." |
| "Ten'yō bushi" | てんよー節 | A common song played with red and white flags at the Obon Festival. |
| "Nada Sōsō" | 涙そうそう | "Great Tears Are Spilling," a popular song from 2000. |
| "Hana – Subete no hito no kokoro ni hana o" | 花~すべての人の心に花を~ | Music and words by Shoukichi Kina. |
| "Kudaka" | 久高 | |
| "Ninjōbushi" | にんじょー節 | |
| "Futami Jōwa" | ふたみじょーわ |
Okinawan Musicians and Groups
Traditional (Classical)
- Choichi Terukina – A "Living National Treasure" (a very important artist)
- Kishun Nishie – A "Living National Treasure"
Traditional (Folk)
- Sadao China
- Rinshō Kadekaru
- Misako Koja
- Nēnēs
- Seijin Noborikawa
- Misako Oshiro
Pop
- The Boom – A rock band known for the song Shima Uta
- Cocco
- High and Mighty Color
- HY
- Shoukichi Kina & Champloose
- Mongol800
- Rimi Natsukawa
- Orange Range
- Rinken Band
- Ryukyu Underground – A duo that mixes traditional Okinawan music with electronic music.
- DA PUMP
- Fuzzy Control
- RYUU-unit
- Ryukyudisko
- Fujiko Shuri
