Okinawa Sanshin of Washington: Folk Songs & Dances of Okinawa
The Okinawa Sanshin of Washington was formed in 1997. They have been studying under the generous guidance of Mr. Yasukazu Takushi, Head Master of Nomur Ryu Sanshin/North America.
The 20 member group has sanshin musicians, a taiko drummer and dancers. The classical and folk (minyo) songs and dances that they perform are selected to suit the occasion. The Okinawa Sanshin has performed in cultural events throughout the Washington area, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They have also performed in New York, and most recently at the 2001 World Festival in Okinawa.
History of Okinawan Music and Sanshin
Okinawa is the southernmost of the 47 prefectures in Japan. It is an island chain that stretches from the southern tip of Kyushu to just north of Taiwan. Back in the mid-1400s to the late 1800s, Okinawa was an independent country, known as the Ryukyu Kingdom.
With its ideal geographical location and favorable ocean currents, the Ryukyu Kingdom was the center of sea trade with Japan, China, Korea and Southeast Asia. The sea trade brought an exchange of cultures among these countries. Not only were the designs of textiles, lacquerware and pottery affected, but so were the music, dances and drama.
In the 1500s, a three-string lute called the sanshin was introduced into Okinawa from southern China. The sanshin is the most important musical instrument in Okinawan music. The lyrics of the classical music (koten) of Okinawa are based on a four line, 30 syllable (8:8:8:6) Okinawan dialect poem form called ryuka (lit. Ryukyu song). The classical music and dances that were performed in the royal courts of the Ryukyu Kingdom have remained basically unchanged since the 1800's.
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