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Introducing okinawa-sanshin.net’s kunkunshi database
Upon hearing of okinawa-sanshin.net’s kunkunshi database my first thought was “cool, there’s finally a website that makes available kunkunshi for all to enjoy.” But, alas, the website is actually a database for existing kunkunshi books. Still, it’s a great way to search for a song to find out which kunkunshi book it’s in to save…
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KunKun4 Editor – Simple Sanshin Source
Wow, this is pretty cool. KunKun4 Editor is a Flash-based Web app that lets you create your own kunkunshi to be saved to your PC or emailed to a friend. I played around with it a little and it seems to work very well. (Via Simple Sanshin Source.)
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Web: SimpleSanshin.org starts a sanshin forum
If you’ve ever had a question about the sanshin now you have an outlet in the form of SimpleSanshin.org’s new forum. Discuss away! Also check out Simple Sanshin Source for a lot of great info on playing the sanshin. (Via Simple Sanshin Source.)
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Web: Okinawa Geinojin
Okinawa Geinojin is an online directory (in Japanese) of entertainers who were born in Okinawa. The entertainers are categorized by musicians, actors/actresses, Okinawan minyou singers, and tarento.
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Yasukatsu Oshima’s albums available on iTunes!
I’ve long, long, been a fan of utasaa (minyou singer) Yasukatsu Oshima and although I already own most of the albums in his discography, having his music readily available for other future fans on iTunes is simply awesome. I have to give a lot of props to whoever is in charge of promoting the singer…
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Blogs: Voices from Okinawa Online
It’s always nice to see a blog about Okinawa (especially if it’s in English) and here’s one you’ll want to check out: “Voices from Okinawa Online: A blog related to the summer 2009 issue of MANOA.” From the MANOA website: Launched in 1989, MANOA strives to bring the literature of Asia, the Pacific, and the…
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Web: Ryukyu Minyo Ongaku Kyokai
Many of you may know about Okinawa minyo, but you may not know that there are many different organizations of the music in Okinawa and one of them is the Ryukyu Minyo Ongaku Kyokai, or RMOK. I’m actually pretty excited about this entry because having a large, traditional, organization like the RMOK build a website…
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Namie Amuro to star in Coca-Cola Zero CM
Namie Amuro has her second CM appearance set for 2009. Like the Vidal Sassoon spot, the upcoming CM (set to air on the 11th of this month) for Coca-Cola zero will feature Amuro in the ad as well as her upcoming single, “WILD,” which will be released on March 18, 2009. The single will be…
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Website: Simple Sanshin Source
Simple Sanshin Source is “an English-based guide to the Okinawan sanshin” that features kunkunshi (sheet music), lyrics, and tips by Kenji, a self-taught sanshin enthusiast. Given that I haven’t been very good at updating Three Strings, Simple Sanshin Source looks to be the online place to learn about the sanshin. There’s also a YouTube channel…
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