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Ryukyu History Drama “Amawari: The Last Hero”
We last posted in 2021 about the Ryukyu Historical Drama “Shō En Ou”, and for 2024 RBC is following it with the drama “Amawari: The Last Hero“. With an all-Okinawan cast (yes, that includes the famous actor Yamada Takayuki too!), the drama stars Sakumoto Takara as Amawari and Higa Rino as Momotofumiagari. And, like the…
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Oyakawa Haruka Releases First Album “Aya-Modoro, Tsichi nu Wakachura”
Ryukyu classical music artist, Oyakawa Haruka, released her first album! The album is titled “Aya-Modoro, Tsichi nu Wakachura”, and contains a total of 14 tracks. She’s one of a few graduates of the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts who have been really active in performing in and out of Okinawa. Haruka also happens to be…
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Musicians Oyakawa Haruka & Tanahara Kenta in “Toki no Suisaiga”
The long-running YouTube series “Toki no Suisaiga” and one of the most missed gems on the platform for Ryukyu culture finally, yes finally, released a couple of videos with English subtitles. The first video features popular Ryukyu classical musician Oyakawa Haruka (pictured above) performing the song “Nakarata Bushi (なからた節)”. Haruka has been on the series…
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The Mark of Empire (YouTube)
Located to Japan’s extreme south, the Ryukyu Archipelago was the setting for the small but vibrant Ryukyu Kingdom that emerged 600 years ago. Peter travels to its idyllic island settings to see how the Ryukyu identity is finding new meaning today as he visits a tattoo studio reviving an almost-lost traditional style, goes on a…
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Our Voices Through Rapper Awich
If you’re a new reader of Karakui, you may think it’s mainly a blog about Awich (and YU-KA) because of how often we post about her. It’s just that this is how BIG she’s become and it’s very much deserved. Being a female rapper in Okinawa and Japan and becoming famous enough to command a…
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Ryukyu Culture Website
There aren’t many websites about Okinawa that’s available in English and this one is well-made. It’s the “Ryukyu Culture designated as Japan Heritage” website and it’s loaded with information. Okinawa Prefecture– once called the Ryukyu Kingdom –has formed its own unique culture. https://ryukyunihonisan.jp/en/
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Ryūkyū Fue Kenkyūjo 2021 Online Concert on 10/24
Due to the pandemic, the Ryūkyū Fue Kenkyūjo will be holding their concert online on YouTube for free this year. Also called Ryūteki, the Ryūkyū fue (flute) is a beautiful instrument and although it’s an accompaniment instrument in classical music, it will be interesting to see how it’s performed for this concert. The concert will…
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Latest Rough Guide Album Includes Uchinānchu Artists
Recently released Rough Guide series includes songs from Uchinānchu artists as well as performers of Uchinā music. There was also a Rough Guide for the music of Okinawa released in 2006 but it’s only available in CD format at this time. A wonderfully diverse collection exploring some of Japan’s lesser-known contemporary styles by artists rooted…
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November 1st is Luchu History & Culture Day
November 1st is designated as Luchu History and Culture Day (琉球歴史文化の日) and a special website has been created that has information on workshops and special contests. For the contest portion, the logo mark design has already been decided but there are three other contests that run until the end of the month (9/30 Uchinaa time):…
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Season 2 of “Toki no Suisaiga”
New episodes of “Toki no Suisaiga” season two started airing at the beginning of the month. The new season brings back Miyazawa Kazufumi (The Boom) as narrator and Ryukyu classical music performances by Oyakawa Haruka. Check out their YouTube channel for the latest clips.
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