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Chiaki (Syakari) posts pics of her sanshin
Chiaki, singer of the pop group Syakari, recently posted a couple pics of her sanshin on their official blog: しゃかりデジカメ日記. Originally from the band Diamantes, Chatan-born Chiaki started Syakari along with guitarist Masaru Kadekaru and former Rinken Band drummer Kazunari Uechi in 1998. Syakari’s “Kodou (コドウ)” from the 2005 album of the same title. Syakari’s…
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Matsuda Kazutoshi no Teegee Rajio
Utasaa Kazutoshi “Kaazuu” Matsuda launched his own internet radio show, Matsuda Kazutoshi no Teegee Rajio, at the beginning of the month and now he’s added a much welcome m3u version (it launched with Real Player) for the last two shows (#3 and #4). Although it’s all in Japanese, it’s worth listening to as he introduces…
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Ayano Uema’s official website is up!
She announced it today on her blog and here it is: uemaayano.com! Filled with a lot of Ayano pics (some of them quite huge but it’s not like we’re complaining), her official website contains information on her schedule, profile, and links to her blog and original goods too. Once again, we see a reference to…
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Introducing Three Strings: Everything Sanshin
Today we’re announcing a new website called Three Strings: Everything Sanshin. We’re hoping it’ll do for sanshin, what Karakui.com has done for Okinawan pop culture: make information for that subject available to a larger audience. Please kindly add the website to your browser’s bookmarks or even better, add it to your newsreader. Nifee deebitan! Richie,…
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Toru Yonaha getting back to his Roots
This upcoming release from Toru Yonaha is the perfect companion to his 2007 album “Utage ~party~” which was heavily influenced by J-pop. The 11 track album titled “Roots ~Ryukyu Iwaiuta~ (Best of Okinawan Traditional Songs)” will be released on 9/24/08 in Okinawa. Dude, I am so buying this. (Via 沖縄三線日和.)
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OMG! Ayano Uema to release a new album?
One of our favorite utasaa (唄者) here at Karakui.com, Ayano Uema, announced (well, it was more of a blurb) on her blog that she just completed shooting photos for a “new CD.” Now whether that means it’s a CD that she’s featured in or if it’s her own album remains to be seen but further…
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Okinawa City Okinawa (沖縄市) blogs “Obon=Eisa”
We live in Okinawa City, which boasts the best Eisa teams in the country; so each section of the city (Goya, Takahara, Awase, etc.) has a team that goes through the neighboroods playing during Obon. (Via Okinawa City Okinawa (沖縄市): Obon=Eisa.) Paul has YouTube clips up on his site too so check it out! (Paul,…
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Utage Restaurant & Lounge
One of the great things about running a blog is that you meet people (via comments, email and IRL too) from all-over the world. And, at times, old friends from right in my backyard. My friend Tadashi (who rocked a pretty mean guitar back in the day) has a restaurant called Utage Restaurant & Lounge…
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Introducing dancingfools.org
Well, the domain name pretty much sums up what this beautifully-created website (maintained by Donna from champuru.net) is about but here’s the lowdown from the site’s “About” page: The Dancing Fools bon dance posse is a group of friends united by a love for the fellowship, food, and fun that bon dance season brings each…
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Yu Yamada riding high
With confirmation of the relationship coming from the man himself, it’s official that Yu Yamada (23) and Shun Oguri (25) are a couple. Both recently starred in the J-drama “Binbo Danshi” and were in relationships that ended “around last summer.” As a result, Yu’s blog shot up to the top spot of Ameba’s ranking unseating…
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