Category Archives: Music

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑨ ShinShin Matsumura (1835-1896) Matsumura was born in Shuri, on January 1st, 1835. He was a student of Ansho Nomura as well as his primary assistant in the editing of the … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑨ ShinShin Matsumura (1835-1896) Matsumura was born in Shuri, on January 1st, 1835. He was a student of Ansho Nomura as well as his primary assistant in the editing of the … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑧ Ancho Nomura (1805-1871) Founder of Nomura Ryu(Style) (uta-sanshin) Nomura was born in Sakiyama (some say Akabira), Shuri, on June 2nd, 1805. He was on of the premier students of Chinen … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑦ Seigen Afuso (1785-1865) Uta-Sanshin Afuso Ryu (Style) Founder Master Afuso was born in present day Tera Cho, Shuri, February 15th, 1785. Born to the son of a Magistrate, like his … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑥ Sekko Chinen – 1761-1828 Born in feudal Ryukyu, May 5th, 1761 to a family of the farming class in Tobaru, Shuri, Young Sekko’s first ambition was to become a medical … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ⑤ Chouki Yakabi (1716-1775) The father of Ryukyu Musical Scores Chouki Yakabi was born January 19th, 1719, in Shuri, the capitol city of the Ryukyu kingdom, the 4th son of (Anji) … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ④ Aka Inko (late 1400`s – mid 1500`s?) The origins of the Ryukyuan, or Okinawan Uta-Sanshin is Akainko. Some refute him ever being an actual person, but only myth. He is … Continue reading →

From time to time a musician changes the existing paradigm for an instrument or style of music. Jake Shimabukuro is an American of Okinawan ancestry. Listen to this ukelele virtuoso on youtube. His website is http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/

In this series of articles on Ryukyuan Performing Arts, specifically Music, We will study the historical context/environment of Ryukyu, and the people who’s ‘enhancements` left a profound impact on the society. A society which is the birthing ground for great … Continue reading →

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ③ Tamagusuku Chokun (1684 – 1734) The father of the Kumi Udui, or classical Ryukyuan Theater was born in Shuri in 1684. He was sent by Shuri with a delegation to … Continue reading →