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The Hatoma Family at Ishigaki’s Bashofu (via Power of Okinawa)
Last week I made a trip down to the Yaeyama Islands, the most southerly of the Ryukyus. While on the largest island, Ishigaki, I called in at Bashofu, the minyo live venue which is run by Takashi and Chiyoko Hatoma. The Hatomas are both accomplished singers and musicians who have appeared at the annual Ryukyu…
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Asoviva: Resort Instrument Factory
Jeremy over at AsovivaSanshin.com was nice enough to contact us to share links and of course, we said yes! We’ve actually blogged about their other website awhile back (there’s also a commenter to the post who had ordered from them) so it’s nice to hear that they’ve created an English-language website too. I like it…
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Film: “Minami no Shima no Furimun”
The film’s poster at Consolidated Theatres Pearlridge West 16. “Minami no Shima no Furimun” (also called “Furimun’s Paradise” or “Furimun in Okinawa“) is the 2009 directorial debut of comedian/actor Gori of the comedy duo Garage Sale. Gori, who also stars in the film as its main character Eisho (the furimun), also gets credit for writing…
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Myron of Internet-Okinawa and O-pop trio Wizus
Myron of Internet-Okinawa was fortunate to meet O-pop trio Wizus in Okinawa. I wrote about the trio more than a year ago and at the time they had rearranged their name from wiz-us to the hiragana ういずあす which they’re still using today. To learn more about the trio, be sure to check out their YouTube…
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Okinawa Omedetai Uta Ketteiban (via Power of Okinawa)
As already noted in ‘The Power of Okinawa’ and elsewhere, there are a bewilderingly large number of Okinawan music CD compilations to choose from. Well, here’s another to add to the rapidly growing pile. This one is a bit different from some of the hastily put together albums on big labels already available, and so…
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Toru Yonaha on YouTube
I’m loving this so much that I want to share this short video of the song “Urazagwaa” featuring Toru Yonaha and Mayumi Yamakawa. Clip is from tadaitsu’s YouTube channel shot at this year’s Koza Terurin Matsuri. If you can handle the shaky camera work, the next video features Misako Koja and Toru Yonaha singing Koja’s…
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Wallpaper: Tokyo Heart July edition featuring Yui Aragaki
Just in time for July is the latest wallpaper for Tokyo Metro’s Tokyo Heart campaign featuring Yui Aragaki. Download the wallpaper here. Be sure to check out the latest CM too while you’re on the site. (Via 壁紙fan!)
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Wallpaper: Kose Cosmeport 3-month calendar featuring Aya Ueto
What can make the next three months happier than having Aya Ueto on your desktop? Download the wallpapers here. (Via 壁紙fan!)
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Wallpaper: Suntory’s Jug-nama featuring Airi Taira and Mew Azama
Not one, but two wallpapers from Suntory for their Jug-nama (ジョッキ) beverage featuring actress Airi Taira (yeah, we need to add her to our actresses from Okinawa list) and model Myu “Mew” Azama. Airi Taira Mew Azama Download the wallpapers for your Mac/PC over here. (Via 壁紙fan!)
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Aya Ueto in “Juunen Saki mo Kimi ni Koishite” – Tokyograph
Aya Ueto (24) will star in a short drama series this fall, titled “Juunen Saki mo Kimi ni Koishite.” This will be her first time leading a series on NHK. […] The story focuses on 26-year-old Rika (Ueto), a single editor who is unskilled in love. The story starts when a man (Uchino) appears before…
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