Profiles of Ryukyuan Music h – ShinShin Matsumura

ShinShin Matsumura (1835-1896)

Matsumura was born in Shuri, on January 1^st, 1835. He was a student of Ansho Nomura as well as his primary assistant in the editing of the Kintei KunKunShi (Nomura KunKunShi).

He was himself the primary compiler and editor for the fourth and final volume of the Nomura Style collection of songs, ` Shuishu `. He also became the successor of the Tansui Ryu (style) and along with Seiki Yamauchi edited the Tansui Ryu KunKunShi. In addition, he also edited Sou(Koto)Fu、or Koto sheet music.

In memory of his great achievements and contributions to classical music, his students created Classical Ryukyuan Music Nomura School Matsumura Togenkai, in 1960. While being fully established and recognized with their sister Nomura Style organizations, The Matsumura Togen Kai do use there own KunKunShi. The difference is a　matter of style of writing the vocal singing system. A follower of the Matsumura line of artists, Shishu created this system.

Up until that point, the followers of Matsumura had used the same voice tablature used by both the, Classical Ryukyuan Music Nomura School Music Association (Established 1924), as well as Classical Ryukyuan Music Nomura School Classical Music Preservation Committee (Established 1955). This singing system was first penned by two students of Master Kuwae, Seizui Isagawa and Kunio Serei during the period of 1935-1941.

ShinShin Matsumura passed on, December 19^th, 1896.