Okinawan folk music star Misako Oshiro dies at 84, best known for “silk voice” and collaboration with Rinsho Kadekaru

Okinawan folk music star Misako Oshiro dies at 84, best known for “silk voice” and collaboration with Rinsho Kadekaru

Oshiro performing the finale at the Ryukyu Music Festival on May 11, 2019, at the Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Izumizaki, Naha City.


January 18, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Misako Oshiro, a leading Okinawan folk singer, passed away on January 18. She was 84 years old. A private memorial service will be held for her surviving family.

 

According to sources, Oshiro was found lying down in her Naha City home, early in the morning of January 18, and her death was confirmed.

 

The singer was born in Taisho Ward, Osaka City, in 1936 and grew up in Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. She became an apprentice to Teihan China, the father of singer Sadao China, and began her folk music career, debuting with the single Kata-omoi in 1962. The song was a big hit thanks to her effortlessly high vocal range, dubbed the i-chugui (silk voice). She became known as the genius sidekick to the late Rinsho Kadekaru. Oshiro also appeared in films, starring in Mugen Ryukyu Tsuru Henry (1998), directed by Go Takamine.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

 

Go to Japanese

 


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]