Archive for the Culture Category

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Okinawan player comes second in World Harmonica Festival

Okinawan player comes second in World Harmonica Festival

December 17, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Chromatic Harmonica player Sachito Higa, 28, won second place at the category of solo chromatic with a set piece in the World Harmonica Festival 2013 in Germany.
Held once every four years, the festival is the world’s top international contest for harmonica players. It was the second time for Higa to win a prize since he came second in the last festival, held in 2005.

The contest was held from October 30 to November 3. Higa practiced for six...

 

Okinawan pronunciation added in Kumiodori play script

Okinawan pronunciation added in <em>Kumiodori</em> play script

November 22, 2013 Ryukyu shimpo

Uchinaguchi (Okinawan language) has words that cannot be pronounced using the 50 Japanese syllabary. In this respect, the difficulty of using the Japanese writing system to read Uchinaguchi aloud has limited the spread of the language and passing...

Unai appraised for Okinawan theater performance in Hawaii

Unai appraised for Okinawan theater performance in Hawaii

November 13, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On October 13 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center, the theatrical group Unai held their first performance in Hawaii. While Ryukyuan performing arts are popular in Hawaii, performances of Okinawan theater are rare. In the audience questionnaire, 152 out of 170 respondents...

Ryukyu-Okinawa traditional arts group performs in Germany to promote Okinawa tourism

Ryukyu-Okinawa traditional arts group performs in Germany to promote Okinawa tourism

November 15, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

A group of Okinawan traditional performing artists sent overseas as part of the prefecture’s...

Ryukyu Dynasty procession unfolds

Ryukyu Dynasty procession unfolds

October 28, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Ryukyu Dynasty procession was held in Kokusai Street, Naha on October 27, the third day of the Shurijo Castle Festival. Reenacting the colorful event from the Ryukyu Dynasty almost one thousand people took part in the procession, including those in the roles...

Requios wins Worldwide Eisa Festival again

Requios wins Worldwide <em>Eisa</em> Festival again

October 8, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Eisa groups from both inside and outside Okinawa competed in the Worldwide Eisa Festival held at the National Theater Okinawa in Urasoe on October 6. Thirty groups, including some from overseas entertained the audience with their unique dance...

Restoration work of King and Queen’s room almost complete

Restoration work of King and Queen's room almost complete

October 4, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Restoration work on four facilities at Shuri Castle such as the Kuganiudun, meaning the golden palace, including the King’s bedroom, has entered the final stage. On October 2, a Ryukyu Shimpo photographer took an aerial photograph confirm that craftsmen...

Okinawa holds rally to promote Shimakutuba

Okinawa holds rally to promote <em>Shimakutuba</em>

September 19, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government held the first Shimakutuba Citizens’ Rally at the Okinawa Convention Center Conference Building in Ginowan City on September 18. The aim of the rally was to encourage Okinawan people to be become interested in Shimakutuba...

New “king and queen” selected at Shurijo Castle Park event

New “king and queen

September 23, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Selection of a new “king” and “queen” took place at the event “Mid-Autumn Feast” held in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle in Naha on September 22. Thirty five-year-old Masaya Koami was chosen in the role of “king” and Juri Shiohira as...

Film “Ryukyu through eyes of a Chinese envoy” wins Eibunren Award 2013

Film

September 13, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Documentary film “Ryukyu through the eyes of Chinese envoy Xu Bao Guang” has been selected as one of seven special excellent works in the Eibunren Award 2013. Eibunren is organization of short film producers in Japan. The film depicts the food culture...

Okinawan drum group wins top award in Busan Travel Fair

Okinawan drum group wins top award in Busan Travel Fair

September 10, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Naha based drum group Ryukaji won the top award in the 16th Busan International Travel Fair 2013 held on September 8 in the South Korean city. The leader of the group, Itsumu Tobaru, 22, who attended the ceremony the next day, was delighted, saying, “We...