# Okinawan music > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Okinawan_music > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Okinawan_music.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawan_music > Source revision: 1328015816 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Music associated with the Okinawa Islands or Okinawa Prefecture **Okinawan music** (沖縄音楽, *Okinawa ongaku*) is the music associated with the [Okinawa Islands](/source/Okinawa_Islands) of southwestern [Japan](/source/Japan). In modern Japan, it may also refer to the musical traditions of [Okinawa Prefecture](/source/Okinawa_Prefecture), which covers the [Miyako](/source/Miyako_Islands) and [Yaeyama Islands](/source/Yaeyama_Islands) in addition to the Okinawa Islands. It has its roots in the larger [musical traditions of the Southern Islands](/source/Ryukyuan_music). ## Genres A dichotomy widely accepted by Okinawan people is the separation of musical traditions into *koten* (classical) and *[min'yō](/source/Min'y%C5%8D)* (folk). Okinawa was once ruled by the highly centralized [kingdom of Ryūkyū](/source/Kingdom_of_Ry%C5%ABky%C5%AB). The samurai class in the capital of [Shuri](/source/Shuri%2C_Okinawa) developed its [high culture](/source/High_culture) while they frequently suppressed [folk culture](/source/Folk_culture) in rural areas. Musicologist Susumu Kumada added another category, "popular music", to describe songs that emerged after the kingdom was abolished in 1879.[1] ### Classical music Uzagaku Ryukyuan classical music (琉球古典音楽, *Ryūkyū koten ongaku*) was the court music of Ryūkyū. *[Uzagaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uzagaku&action=edit&redlink=1)* (御座楽) was the traditional chamber music of the royal palace at [Shuri Castle](/source/Shuri_Castle). It was performed by the bureaucrats as official duties. The texture is essentially [heterophonic](/source/Heterophony) using a single melodic line. Pitched accompaniment instruments each play a simultaneous variation on the vocal line.[2][3][4] ### Folk music Traditionally seen as "low culture" by the samurai class, Okinawan folk music (沖縄民謡) gained positive evaluation with the rise of folkloristics led by [Yanagita Kunio](/source/Yanagita_Kunio). Folk music is described by the Japanese term *[min'yō](/source/Min'y%C5%8D)*. Since the kingdom was abolished, some members of the former samurai class spread Shuri-based high culture to other areas of Okinawa. Some of such new elements are today seen as part of folk culture.[1] Okinawa's folk songs are generally accompanied by one (or more) [sanshin](/source/Sanshin). The suffixes *[-ondo](/source/Ondo_(music))* and *[-bushi](/source/Bushi_(music))* (both meaning "song" or "melody") may also be attached to the title of folk songs, however songs named without these clarifiers are more common.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] [Eisā](/source/Eisa_(dance)) and [kachāshī](/source/Kach%C4%81sh%C4%AB) are Okinawan dances with specific music styles that accompany them. **Warabi uta** [Warabi uta](/source/Warabe_uta) (童歌) is a general term for nursery rhymes and children's songs. ### Popular music #### New folk songs *"New min'yō"* (新民謡, *shin min'yō*), composed in the style of traditional Okinawan min'yō, have been written by several contemporary Okinawan folk musicians such as [Rinshō Kadekaru](/source/Rinsh%C5%8D_Kadekaru), [Sadao China](/source/Sadao_China), [Shoukichi Kina](/source/Shoukichi_Kina), [Seijin Noborikawa](/source/Seijin_Noborikawa), and [Tsuneo Fukuhara](/source/Tsuneo_Fukuhara). These songs are often heard in contemporary pop music arrangements. *Haisai ojisan* (ハイサイおじさん), with music and lyrics by Shōkichi Kina, is typical of this genre. Okinawa's (new) folk songs are sometimes referred to as *[shima-uta](/source/Shima-uta)*. The term is not native to Okinawa but was borrowed from its northern neighbor, the [Amami Islands](/source/Amami_Islands), in the 1970s. The application of the term to Okinawan music is disfavored by people who see *[shima-uta](/source/Shima-uta)* as a regional brand of the Amami Islands.[5] #### Okinawa pop The music of Okinawa came under the influence of [American rock](/source/American_rock) music beginning with the end of [World War II](/source/World_War_II). Many musicians began to blend the Okinawan folk music style and native instruments with those of American popular and rock music. This is called "Uchinaa pop". One example is [Ryukyu Underground](/source/Ryukyu_Underground), who combine both classical and folk music with modern [Dub music](/source/Dub_music). ## Instrumentation The instrument that defines Okinawan music is the [sanshin](/source/Sanshin) (shamisen). It is a three-stringed [lute](/source/Lute), very similar to the Chinese [sanxian](/source/Sanxian) and a precursor to the Japanese [shamisen](/source/Shamisen). The body is covered in snake skin and it is plucked with a plectrum worn on the index finger. Okinawan folk music is often accompanied by various [taiko drums](/source/Taiko) such as *[shime-daiko](/source/Shime-daiko)* (締太鼓), *hira-daiko* (平太鼓), and *[pārankū](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=P%C4%81rank%C5%AB&action=edit&redlink=1)* (パーランクー). Pārankū, a small hand-held drum about the size of a tambourine, is often used in [eisā](/source/Eisa_(dance)) dancing. Other percussion instruments such as *[sanba](/source/Sanba)* (三板), *[yotsutake](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yotsutake&action=edit&redlink=1)* (四つ竹) and *[hyōshigi](/source/Hy%C5%8Dshigi)* (拍子木) can often be heard in Okinawan music. *Sanba* are three small, flat pieces of wood or plastic that are used to make rapid clicking sounds, similar to [castanets](/source/Castanet). *Yotsutake* are two sets of rectangular [bamboo](/source/Bamboo) strips tied together, one set held in each hand, clapped together on the strong beat of the music. Traditionally they have been used in classical music, but recently they have been used in [eisā](/source/Eisa_(dance)) dancing.[6] A group of singers called a *hayashi* (囃子) often accompanies folk music, singing the chorus or interjecting shouts called *[kakegoe](/source/Kakegoe)* (掛け声). Also [finger whistling](/source/Wolf-whistling) called *yubi-bue* (指笛) is common in [kachāshī](/source/Kach%C4%81sh%C4%AB) and [eisā](/source/Eisa_(dance)) dance tunes. Additional instruments are often used in classical music, and sometimes incorporated in folk music:[3] - *Kutu* (箏, クトゥ) – an Okinawan version of the [koto](/source/Koto_(musical_instrument)); often called *Ryūkyū sō* (琉球箏) or *Okinawa goto* (沖縄箏) - *Kūchō* (胡弓, クーチョー) – an Okinawan version of the [kokyū](/source/Koky%C5%AB)*Kūchō* (胡弓, クーチョー) - *[Fue](/source/Fue_(flute))* (笛) – an Okinawan transverse flute; also called *fansō* (ファンソー) or *ryūteki* (琉笛) ## Tonality *The following is described in terms used in Western disciplines of music.* Music from Okinawa uses tonal structure that is different in music from mainland Japan and Amami in particular the [intervalic](/source/Interval_(music)) content of the scales used. The chief [pentatonic scale](/source/Pentatonic_scale) used in mainland Japan, for example, uses scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, also known as Do, Re, Mi, So, and La in the [Kodály](/source/Kod%C3%A1ly) system of [solfeggio](/source/Solfeggio). This structure avoids [half step](/source/Semitone) intervals by eliminating the fourth and seventh scale degrees. In contrast, music from Okinawa is abundant in the half steps. Common structures used in Okinawan music are a pentatonic scale utilizing scale degrees 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, or Do, Mi, Fa, So, Ti, or a [hexatonic scale](/source/Hexatonic_scale) with the addition of the second scale degree, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, Ti. Half steps occur between the third and fourth (Mi and Fa), and also the seventh and first (Ti and Do) scale degrees. In particular, the interval from 7 to 1, or Ti to Do is very common. A folk tune can often be recognized as being Okinawan by noting the presence of this interval. ## Notable Okinawan songs Title Okinawan name Notes "Tinsagu nu Hana" "Tinsaku no hana" "Chinsagu nu hana" てぃんさぐぬ花 "The Balsam Flowers"; a warabe uta; Okinawan children would squeeze the sap from balsam flowers to stain their fingernails. The lyrics of the song are Confucian teachings. Ishinagu no uta 石なぐの歌 "Pebble Song"; a ryūka poem written by Gushikawa Chōei; It is known for its thematic similarity to Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan. It uses the same melody as Kajyadifu. "Tanchamee" 谷茶前 a song originating in the village of Tancha in Onna, Okinawa "Tōshin dōi" 唐船どーい "A Chinese Ship Is Coming"; The most famous kachāshī dance song, it is often performed as the last song of an Okinawan folk music show.[7] "Nākunī" なーくにー a lyrical song expressing deep longing "Haisai ojisan" ハイサイおじさん a "new min'yō", music and lyrics by Shoukichi Kina "Bye-bye Okinawa" バイバイ沖縄 music and lyrics by Sadao China "Tiidachichinuhikari" "Okinawan Amazing Grace" 太陽月ぬ光 アメイジング・グレイス『沖縄方言ヴァージョン』 a song about the Okinawan religion to the tune of Amazing Grace "Akata Sun dunchi" "Akata Sundunchi" 赤田首里殿内 "Inside Shuri Temple in Akata Village", a traditional song about Maitreya Boddhisatva. It has become a popular children's song. "Bashōfu" 芭蕉布 Bashoofu is Okinawan banana cloth. "Kādikū" 嘉手久 a courtship kachāshī dance song "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 (川田松夫)[7] "Kajadifū bushi" "Kagiyadefī bushi" かじゃでぃ風 かぎやで風節 a classical (koten) Okinawan dance song; Also called "Gojin fuu" (御前風), it was played before kings. It is commonly sung with an accompanying dance at Okinawan weddings today.[8] "Jin jin" "Jing jing" ジンジン a warabe uta; The title means "firefly"; the lyrics implore the firefly to "come down and drink". Shoukichi Kina and Champloose's version of this song, with slide guitar by Ry Cooder, was a minor hit in British discos. Takashi Hirayasu and Bob Brozman released a 2000 collaboration album by the same title that is a collection of various Okinawan songs or nursery rhymes. Their song "Jin Jin" is track 6 on this album. "Ten'yō bushi" てんよー節 A common song involving red and white flags played at the Obon Festival. "Nada Sōsō" 涙そうそう "Great Tears Are Spilling", 2000 single with music by Begin, lyrics by Ryoko Moriyama "Hana – Subete no hito no kokoro ni hana o" 花~すべての人の心に花を~ music and lyrics 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 musical ensembles ### Traditional (Classical / Koten Ongaku) - [Choichi Terukina](/source/Choichi_Terukina) – Living National Treasure - [Kishun Nishie](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kishun_Nishie&action=edit&redlink=1) – Living National Treasure ### Traditional (Folk/Min'yô) - [Sadao China](/source/Sadao_China) - [Rinshō Kadekaru](/source/Rinsh%C5%8D_Kadekaru) - [Misako Koja](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Misako_Koja&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Nēnēs](/source/N%C4%93n%C4%93s) - [Seijin Noborikawa](/source/Seijin_Noborikawa) - [Misako Oshiro](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Misako_Oshiro&action=edit&redlink=1) ### Pop - [The Boom](/source/The_Boom) – rock band from [Yamanashi Prefecture](/source/Yamanashi_Prefecture), known for the song *[Shima Uta](/source/Shima_Uta_(The_Boom))* - [Cocco](/source/Cocco) - [High and Mighty Color](/source/High_and_Mighty_Color) - [HY](/source/HY_(band)) - [Shoukichi Kina](/source/Shoukichi_Kina) & [Champloose](/source/Champloose) - [Mongol800](/source/Mongol800) - [Rimi Natsukawa](/source/Rimi_Natsukawa) - [Orange Range](/source/Orange_Range) - [Rinken Band](/source/Rinken_Band) - [Ryukyu Underground](/source/Ryukyu_Underground) – A duo fusing traditional Okinawan music with [Electronica](/source/Electronica) genres such as [Dub](/source/Dub_music). - [DA PUMP](/source/DA_PUMP) - [Fuzzy Control](/source/Fuzzy_Control_(band)) - [RYUU-unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RYUU-unit&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Ryukyudisko](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ryukyudisko&action=edit&redlink=1) - [Fujiko Shuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fujiko_Shuri&action=edit&redlink=1) ## Media ["Tinsagu nu Hana"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tinsagu_nu_Hana.mid) The traditional Okinawan song "Tinsagu nu Hana" *Problems playing this file? See [media help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Media).* ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kumada2011c1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kumada2011c1_1-1) Kumada Susumu 久万田晋 (2011). "Okinawa ni okeru minzoku geinō kenkyū" 沖縄における民俗芸能研究. *Okinawa no minzoku geinō ron* 沖縄の民俗芸能論 (in Japanese). Borderink. pp. 7–35. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Malm, William P. (1959). [*Japanese Music and Musical Instruments*](https://archive.org/details/japanesemusicmus00malm/page/245). [Rutland, Vermont](/source/Rutland_(city)%2C_Vermont) and [Tokyo, Japan](/source/Tokyo%2C_Japan): [Charles E. Tuttle Company](/source/Tuttle_Publishing). p. [245](https://archive.org/details/japanesemusicmus00malm/page/245). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8048-0308-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8048-0308-0). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date)) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tokita,_A._&_D._Hughes_2008_446_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tokita,_A._&_D._Hughes_2008_446_3-1) Tokita, A. & D. Hughes (2008). "The Music of Ryukyu (ch.13, by Robin Thompson)". *The Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music*. Farnham, UK: Ashgate. p. 446. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7546-5699-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7546-5699-9). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gillan_2012_238_4-0)** Gillan, Matthew (2012). *Songs from the Edge of Japan: Music-Making in Yaeyama and Okinawa*. Farnham, UK: Ashgate. p. 238. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4094-2404-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4094-2404-8). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-takahashi2002_5-0)** Takahashi Miki 高橋美樹 (2002). ""Shimauta" ni matsuwaru sho-gainen no seiritsu katei: Okinawa o chūshin to shite" 「しまうた」にまつわる諸概念の成立過程: 沖縄を中心として. *Okinawa bunka* 沖縄文化 (in Japanese). **37** (2): 1–54. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Yotsutake: Okinawa Daihyakka 沖縄大百科](http://word.uruma.jp/word/%BB%CD%A4%C4%C3%DD/) (in Japanese) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Songs_of_Okinawa_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Songs_of_Okinawa_7-1) 西角井, 正大 (1990) [1972]. *Folk Songs of Okinawa (沖縄の民謡 Okinawa no minyō)* (CD booklet). [Tokyo, Japan](/source/Tokyo%2C_Japan): Victor Musical Industries. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kaneshiro, Atsumi (1991). *Music of Okinawa (南海の音楽・沖縄 Nankai no ongaku – Okinawa)* (CD booklet). [Tokyo, Japan](/source/Tokyo%2C_Japan): King Record Company. ## External links - [Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai: Okinawan Music](http://www.chicagookinawakenjinkai.com/Audio%20Page.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110708143656/http://www.chicagookinawakenjinkai.com/Audio%20Page.html) 2011-07-08 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) – audio selections v t e Music of Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Cyprus Egypt Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Palestine Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand Timor-Leste (East Timor) Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia Northern Cyprus South Ossetia Taiwan Dependencies and other territories British Indian Ocean Territory Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Hong Kong Macau Category Asia portal v t e Music of Japan "Kimigayo" (National anthem) Traditional Instruments Genres and styles Bugaku Bushi Dainichido Bugaku Danmono Gagaku Gigaku Jōruri Kouta Min'yō Nagauta Rōkyoku Saimon Ondo [ja] Komori-uta (lullaby) Warabe Uta [ja] Kazoe Uta [ja] Ekaki Uta [ja] Temari Uta [ja] Post Meiji Restoration (1868–present) Commercial song [ja] Gakusēka (student song) [ja] Kōka (school song) [ja] Ryōka (dormitory song) [ja] Daigaku-Ōenka (cheering song of university) [ja] Enzetsuka/Enka Gunka (military song) Jazz Kayōkyoku Senji-kayō [ja] Gunkoku-kayō [ja] Radio calisthenics song Ryūkōka Shichōsonka (municipality song) [ja] Shōka [ja] Manshū-Shōka [ja] Shin-min'yō [ja] Post-War (1945–present) 1945–present Kayōkyoku Mood-kayō [ja] Idol-kayō [ja] Group sounds Image song Pop Rock 1970–present Anime song Chiptune City pop Denpa song Disco [ja] Electro Electropop Eurobeat Hardcore punk Hip hop Metal Noise Noise rock Nu-music [ja] Ōenka (cheering song) Reggae Synth-pop Ska Visual kei Italo Disco Italo House Juliana’s techno 1990–present Bitpop Grime Being-kei [ja] J-core Japanese net label scene Kawaii metal Komuro-kei [ja] Onkyokei Shibuya-kei Akishibu-kei Utaite Visual kei Eroguro kei Nagoya kei Vocaloid music Ethnic and regional Ainu music Rekuhkara Southern Islands Charts Oricon Singles Chart Combined Singles Chart Albums Chart Combined Albums Chart Digital Singles and Albums Karaoke Chart Billboard Japan Hot 100 Hot Albums Top Download Songs and Albums Other RIAJ Digital Track Chart (discontinued) Achievements List of best-selling music artists in Japan List of best-selling Western artists in Japan List of best-selling albums in Japan List of best-selling singles in Japan Record companies "Major" (as of 2026[update]) Nippon Columbia King Record Co. 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