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Veteran Amami utasha Ikue Asazaki
We often focus on the new singers from Amami-Oshima like Rikki Nakano, Chitose Hajime, Kosuke Atari, and Minami Kizuki, leaving out the traditional singers. So, better late than never, no? Ikue Asazaki is a veteran utasha (now in her 70s) who has been singing Amami shimauta since picking it up from her father and regarded…
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PV for BENI’s upcoming single “Kiss Kiss Kiss”
BENI’s new single—and her 2nd since going solely by her first name—won’t be released until April 8, 2009, but luckily, her record label has released the PV of the single on their official YouTube page. The new single, titled “Kiss Kiss Kiss,” sports BENI in a short bob-style hairdo (which I really like, BTW) and…
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Amuro does animated music video – Tokyograph
Namie Amuro’s new song ‘Dr.’ will be made into an anime music video. This is the first time that one of her music videos will be a fully animated work. In addition, Amuro will appear in it as an animated character. A group of more than forty of Japan’s leading creators, deemed the ‘strongest’ in…
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Emi Tawata collaborates with apparel brand SOULSMANIA
Singer Emi Tawata’s latest mini album, “Sweet Soul Love,” was just released on the 18th and it features a collaboration with popular apparel brand SOULSMANIA. The combined effort produced a lineup of t-shirts that perfectly compliment both sides as the apparel from SOULSMANIA are influenced by black culture and Emi’s style of music is a…
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Monpachi’s albums hit the iTunes Store! Buy now!
If there’s one album you should own that represents the indie punk scene in Okinawa, it’s Mongol800’s (or affectionately known as Monpachi) 2001 album “MESSAGE.” The album contains a couple of their most popular songs: “Chiisana Koi no Uta” and “Ryukyu Aika,” but the album in its entirety is absolutely awesome. If you’re into rock,…
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Meisa Kuroki’s got sexy
With her debut album “hellcat” set for release on April 8th, Meisa Kuroki is *ahem* heating things up with her latest PV for the song “Bad Girl.” Personally, I think the image fits her and it doesn’t seem like she’s forcing it upon herself. Now, say, if this were to have been Gakky’s image for…
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Simple Sanshin Source shares video of Sanshin playing robot
Simple Sanshin Source shares a video of University of the Ryukyus‘s (Ryudai) sanshin-playing robot. Has to be seen to be believed. The clip above shows the robot playing “Toushin Doi.” Not perfect, but pretty amazing.
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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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Minami Kizuki’s amazing debut single “Aitsumugi”
We’re always on the lookout for new artists to listen to and we’re happy to announce the debut of 19 year-old Minami Kizuki (城南海—interesting how it’s read, no?) who released her first single, “Aitsumugi,” on January 7, 2009. Upon listening to the single, one will definitely think of Chitose Hajime (oh, forgot to mention that…
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Yu Yamada’s “My All” (PV on YouTube)
Talented model/actress/singer Yu Yamada’s latest single—her first since last April’s “leave all behind”—is set to be released on the 21st of this month. The ballad, titled “My All,” is featured on the movie “Kanna-san Daiseikou desu!” that she’s starring in. Watch the movie’s trailer here. Ordering the single via this link helps us out at…
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