Profiles of Ryukyuan Music h – ShinShin Matsumura

Posted on May 17, 2007 by shohashi

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 Kintei KunKunShi (Nomura KunKunShi).

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Profiles of Ryukyuan Music g – Ancho Nomura

Posted on May 16, 2007 by shohashi

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 Sensei. He emphasized a more natural singing style rather than the more elaborate singing style of his teacher and fellow student, Shingen Afuso.

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Profiles of Ryukyuan Music f – Seigen Afuso

Posted on May 15, 2007 by shohashi

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 father, he managed Kayo village. He was transferred to Afuso district in Onna District. (Current Onna Village) It was during this time when he changed his name to Afuso. Around 1808, he took classes from Sekko Chinen, eventually becoming Master Chinen’s most senior student.

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Profiles of Ryukyan Music e – Sekko Chinen

Posted on May 13, 2007 by shohashi
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 doctor. The fact that he was not of a samurai or noble home created (at the time), an insurmountable barrier toward his dream.

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Profiles in Ryukyuan Music d – Chouki Yakabi

Posted on May 12, 2007 by shohashi
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) Tamagawa Chouou. It was a household where sanshin was often heard. At a young age was acknowledged of as a prodigy

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Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts c, Aka Inko

Posted on May 10, 2007 by shohashi

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 credited with inventing the first Ryukyuan Sanshin and singing along with it.

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Jake Shimabukuro

Posted on May 7, 2007 by artbobo

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/

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Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts 

Posted on April 30, 2007 by shohashi

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 Ryukyuan traditions of art; classical, folk, pop music, and dance.
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Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts b

Posted on April 24, 2007 by shohashi
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 Satsuma in Kyushu as a dancer.

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Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts a

Posted on April 24, 2007 by shohashi

Profiles of Giants of the Ryukyuan Music Performing Arts ②

Tansui Uekata (1623 – 1683)

Born in Shuri, at age 15 he became an envoy to Satsuma’s court. While he was in Kagoshima, he excelled at the studies of singing, dancing, and the art of tea. These same attributes were promoted for employment in the government of Ryukyu by the policies of Haneji Choshu.

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