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Introducing Ayako Miyara
If you’re looking into something on the mellower side than HandMC’s music, you may want to check out J-pop singer Ayako Miyara. The 26-year-old singer moved to Tokyo at the age of 20 to pursue her dream of making it as a singer and formed the unit ‘ciso’ which disbanded in 2002. Since going solo…
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Update to Listing of Artists on iTunes page
Added a bunch of artists from Okinawa (or with ties to Okinawa) that I’ve found available at the iTunes U.S. store. Ayako Miyara GANGA ZUMBA — features Kazufumi Miyazawa (THE BOOM) and Claudia Oshiro HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR Nangoku Drops Yasukatsu Oshima – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (Links will open iTunes.) View the rest of the list…
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HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR’s “good bye”
Let the comparisons between former HandMC vocalist Mākii and new vocalist Halca commence! I believe this is the second song (and first PV) to feature Halca (21) with the band and it’s a rocker. The debut single with Halca, titled “XYZ,” was released on July 7, 2009, and is currently on sale on iTunes (link…
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Facebook: “How Uchinanchu are you??”
If you’re into Facebook and all things Okinawan, be sure to check out the “How Uchinanchu are you??” group. (Nifee to George I. for the heads up.)
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Two Okinawans to represent Japan in Elite Model Look competition – Tokyograph
The final round of Japan’s 2009 Elite Model Look contest took place on Wednesday. Out of an initial field of 3,000 candidates, two grand prize winners were chosen – Manami Teruya (16) and Yui Okuma (18), both from Okinawa. Teruya and Okuma will represent Japan in the international competition, which is being held this October…
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Chimugukuru: A Celebration of the Heart, Soul and Spirit of Hawaii’s Okinawan Community
WHAT IS IT? Come join us for Chimugukuru: A Celebration of the Heart, Soul and Spirit of Hawaii’s Okinawan Community (featuring storyteller Alton Chung) on Saturday, October 24th at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. 100% of proceeds from this celebration support the Hawaii United Okinawan Association and Ikuyu Madin (HUOA Capital Campaign). The event runs from…
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Video: 10,000 Person Eisa Parade from akanamr
I’ve much admired the photos taken by Myron (Internet-Okinawa.com on Flickr) who happens to also be a fan of eisa like I am. I hope the video taken by him of Naha’s 10,000 Person Eisa Parade is one of many to come. Be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel to get the latest updates…
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Meisa Kuroki’s “SHOCK -Unmei-” PV
I can’t help but compare every singer who comes out of Okinawa to Namie Amuro (who set the bar for female and male artists IMHO) and Meisa comes the closest in style and sound. The only question for me now is whether Meisa can pull it off live or not.
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Meisa Kuroki “SHOCK” Desktop
Of the actresses from Okinawa, Manami Higa is my favorite, well current fave, and coming at a close second is Meisa Kuroki. Nago-born Meisa is currently juggling two careers—actress and singer—and doing quite well I might add. Her current drama, “Ninkyo Helper,” in which she plays a yakuza subordinate boss is airing on Fuji TV.…
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Yu Yamada Screensaver from Pepsi Japan
Here’s your chance to win a limited edition, Pepsi-themed Yu Yamada screensaver. Head on over to the Pepsi Japan site and note that you’ll need to click on “Start” when you see Yu Yamada otherwise you may end up with a screensaver of one of the other image characters. (Via 壁紙fan!)
Karakui 