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Cocco’s ‘Jugon no Mieru Oka’ links to Okinawa
Being a big fan of Cocco’s art and music, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the tun-tun-ten of a sanshin in her latest single “Jugon no Mieru Oka.” Although that alone is pretty cool in itself, Cocco goes on to sing (at 4:51) lyrics from “Ittaa Anmaa Maakaiga”, an Okinawan warabi uta (children’s song). While…
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Blogs worth subscribing to from Vision Factory’s artists
Vision Factory, which manages artists like J-hip-pop queen Namie Amuro, has a listing of blogs (Namie is unfortunately not on the list) up on their site. The great thing is that a few of these blogs contain video clips (so they’re closer to vlogs). Below are a few of my faves: hiro (ex-SPEED) – ‘Constanze…
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Video: Nada Sou Sou around the world
In Japanese: Rimi Natsukawa’s hit version In Hawaiian: Kealiʻi Reichel’s beautiful “Ka Nohona Pili Kai” (iTunes Store link) In English: Hayley Westerna (available as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of the singer’s album “Treasure”)
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YouTube: U-DOU & PLATY
I first heard about U-DOU & PLATY a while ago but never really gave them a look until they were featured on NHK’s wonderful English-language music program J-MELO (its current VJ is J-pop singer melody.). Their music is a champloo (mix) of Okinawan folk music and J-reggae (dancehall) and I if may add, quite infectious.…
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TV: Manami Higa’s ‘Dondo Bare’ finishes strong
It got off to a weak start but how you finish is what’s important, right? NHK’s 76th Asadora (if you’re keeping track, “Churasan” was the 64th), “Dondo Bare” starring Manami Higa, finished its run on September 29 with a strong finish at 23.2% for the final episode — contrast that with the 14.9% for the…
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Champuru posts a clip of Rinken Band
Sorry, kinda late on this one (and I’ll get around to answering everyone’s emails soon). Donna has a clip up of Rinken Band performing at this year’s Okinawan Festival in Waikiki, Hawaii.
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YouTube: Yoshio Kojima
One of my daily routines every night is to check YouTube’s Most Viewed of the Day and I’ve been seeing a lot of clips from a Japanese comedian by the name of Yoshio Kojima. Lo and behold, he’s from Okinawa! A graduate of Waseda University, the comedian got his big break from his appearances in…
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SPEED MASTER
This song rocks! The song “SPEED MASTER” is a collaboration between J-pop group m.o.v.e and Okinawan J-rock group 8-BALL and is the theme song for a movie (think “Initial D”) of the same name starring Shunsuke Nakamura. I think the song as a collaboration is what really makes it much more powerful than if either…
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Three new videos from the 25th Okinawan Festival up at Champuru.net!
If you enjoyed the 25th Okinawan Festival vlog Donna posted to Champuru.net a few days ago, you’re going to love that she has three, count ’em three new videos up. Ryusei Daiko Hanayakara Naha Daiko Enjoy! And be sure to leave a comment for Donna too. 🙂
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Champuru posts 25th Okinawan Festival vlog
Donna over at champuru.net has a vlog of highlights from the past weekend’s 25th Okinawan Festival in Waikiki, Hawaii. She also has a bunch of photos up of the festival up on Flickr: 2007 Okinawan Festival (photoset).
Karakui 