Okinawa · Sanshin · Song

Okinawan Music & Culture

Introducing the music and culture that has lived on in Okinawan daily life, passed down through generations.

Sanshin

Okinawa's traditional instrument, its sound resonating across Ryukyuan classical music, Okinawan folk songs, and contemporary music alike.

The sanshin is one of Okinawa's most iconic traditional instruments. It traces its roots to the sanxian, a three-stringed instrument from Fujian Province in present-day China.

As the instrument was introduced to the Ryukyu Islands, it evolved into a distinct form, with a shorter neck and a flatter body, eventually developing into the sanshin known today. The Ryukyu Kingdom maintained active trade with mainland China and Southeast Asia, bringing various cultural influences and objects to the islands. It is believed that the sanshin had already been introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom by the end of the 14th century.

In the late 15th century, King Shō Shin encouraged the use of the sanshin as part of the cultural education of the warrior class. The instrument subsequently developed within the court music and cultural traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The sanshin later spread to mainland Japan and is believed to have influenced the development of the shamisen, one of Japan's best-known traditional string instruments.

Today, the sanshin remains an enduring symbol of Okinawan music and culture, used in a wide range of musical traditions, from folk and classical music to contemporary performances.

Ryukyuan Classical Music

Court music performed during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Ryukyuan classical music was performed as court music during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. At its heart is Uta Sanshin, a traditional form of singing accompanied by the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument unique to Okinawa, with lyrics based on traditional Ryukyuan poetry known as Ryūka.

In the past, Uta Sanshin was widely encouraged as an essential part of the education and cultural refinement of the samurai class. In addition to the sanshin, instruments such as the koto, flute, kuchō (a bowed string instrument), and drums are used to create its elegant and refined sound.

Okinawan Folk Music

Okinawa's folk songs, born from everyday life and carried onward through uta-sanshin.

Okinawan folk music was born from the everyday lives of the people and has been passed down through generations. It encompasses a wide variety of styles and themes, including songs of wisdom and life lessons, work songs, love songs, banquet songs, children's songs, and lullabies. These songs are traditionally performed with sanshin accompaniment and sung in the Okinawan language, Uchināguchi.

In addition to instruments such as the island drum and sanba (traditional Okinawan clappers), modern performances may also incorporate instruments such as the mandolin and guitar. While carrying on the traditions of the past, new Okinawan folk songs continue to be created today.

The Ryukyu Kingdom

The culture cultivated during the Ryukyu Kingdom still lives on deeply in Okinawa today.

The Ryukyu Kingdom was established in 1429 and existed for approximately 450 years, until 1879, in the region of the southwestern Japanese islands, centered around present-day Okinawa Prefecture.

Through diplomacy and trade with China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian countries, the kingdom developed into a maritime trading nation and cultivated its own distinctive culture. The music, performing arts, language, crafts, cuisine, and other cultural traditions of present-day Okinawa are deeply rooted in the culture that flourished during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Ryūka

Traditional verse in an 8-8-8-6 syllable form, giving voice to scenes and feelings of every kind.

Ryūka is a traditional form of lyrical poetry and song passed down through the Amami Islands and the Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands. Its basic poetic form is known as "san-pachi-roku," consisting of four lines with a syllable pattern of 8–8–8–6.

Ryūka expresses a wide range of themes, including love, nature, everyday life, and human emotions, and continues to play an important role in Okinawan music and cultural traditions.

Ryukyuan Dance

A traditional performing art, and one of Okinawa's defining art forms, shaped by its history and culture.

Ryukyuan dance is a traditional performing art that developed within the history and culture of the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa. It has been refined as an art form over generations and is recognized by the Japanese government as an Important Intangible Cultural Property.

Ryukyuan dance includes Classical Ryukyuan Dance, which developed during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom and is accompanied by Ryukyuan classical music, and Zō-odori, a style that emerged after the Meiji era incorporating elements of everyday life, customs, and Okinawan folk songs. Each style has its own distinctive expressions and beauty. Through its movements, costumes, and music, Ryukyuan dance continues to convey the history and culture of Okinawa to the present day.

Eisa

One of Okinawa's most iconic traditional performing arts, danced during the Obon season.

Eisa is one of Okinawa's most iconic traditional performing arts, traditionally performed during the Obon season. During Obon, local youth groups gather to welcome and see off the spirits of their ancestors, dancing through the streets of their communities while playing drums and performing Eisa.

Eisa is believed to have originated from Buddhist devotional dances that were introduced to Okinawa from Japan during the Muromachi period. Each community has its own distinctive styles of dance, costumes, and drumming, and today, the powerful sound of drums and dynamic movements have become widely associated with Eisa.

With its energetic rhythms and vibrant performances, Eisa remains an important cultural tradition and a symbol of summer in Okinawa.