[Eisa] A roundup of classic and popular songs—perfect for sports day!

Yuito of the WindHii de Katsu

Yuito of the Wind

It is one of the songs released by Higa Katsumi, a musician from the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

Rather than traditional Okinawan music, it features a deep, resonant timbre reminiscent of regions like India and other parts of Asia, creating a strikingly mystical atmosphere.

Along with “Miruku Namuri,” it is beloved as a staple of Eisa, and the incorporation of gentle movements serves to emphasize the song’s worldview.

Because it is a piece with prominent vocals, paying close attention to the calls and responses should allow performers to showcase a powerful Eisa that can stand up to the intensity of the music.

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abundant harvest of the five grainsPāshakurabu

Parshaclub “Bountiful Harvest” Parshaclub Naha Hari (Dragon Boat Festival)

A Pāsha Club track that fuses Okinawan tradition with contemporary music.

Its distinctive sound features lyrics praising the island’s rich nature and culture, interwoven with the tones of drums and the sanshin.

Included on the 1996 album “nanafa,” it was also used the following year in a commercial song for Orion Beer.

Evoking the atmosphere of Okinawa’s harvest festivals, this piece is perfect as background music for Eisa performances at sports days and various events.

When everyone moves in unison and dances with gratitude for the island’s blessings, the entire venue is sure to be wrapped in a sense of togetherness.

Katami-bushi

Lyric Commentary: Introduction to Eisa Songs – 'Katami (Katami-bushi)' [Tokyo Nakano Ward Shimpū Eisa]

Katami-bushi—sometimes written with the characters meaning “solid/steadfast” (固み節)—is a traditional folk song centered on Okinawa’s main island.

It has been passed down as a celebratory song that expresses the bond between a man and a woman and the vows of marriage, and it is often performed at festive occasions such as weddings.

The lyrics convey congratulatory words for auspicious events and speak of the couple’s ties, offering gentle blessings for their new beginning.

It is also a staple piece for Eisa performances; the steady, unhurried rhythm accompanied by drums conveys the lively atmosphere of a joyous celebration.

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Eisa NightNatsukawa Rimi

Shinjuku Eisa 2019: Eisa Night (sung by Rimi Natsukawa) Tokyo 100 Views 10

Rimi Natsukawa is a singer from Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture, best known for the massive 2001 hit Nada Sousou.

Her song Eisa no Yoru, as the title suggests, is themed around Eisa.

Its lyrics are full of poetic expressions that vividly conjure up lively scenes just by listening—one of its biggest charms! Compared to traditional Okinawan folk songs, it’s a relatively new piece, but it’s reportedly being used more and more in Eisa performances nowadays.

It’s also available at karaoke, so if you get the chance to sing together, definitely give it a try!

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Yuuki

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Tōfun Doi

Chinese ship, hey!

Tōshin Doi weaves a distinctly Okinawan melody with the rhythmic sounds of the sanshin.

This song is a folk tune handed down since ancient times in Okinawa, and it is such a popular Ryukyuan folk piece that people say your body starts dancing the moment it plays.

The rapid-fire sanshin feels exhilarating, and the song is performed as a celebratory finale in Eisa.

Its lyrics rejoice in and celebrate the arrival of Chinese trade ships—Tōshin—from the Tang lands with which Okinawa once traded, depicting the excitement of the local people at the time.

Even today, it remains a traditional number performed at banquets and festive occasions.

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nikki

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Island SongTHE BOOM

THE BOOM “Shima Uta (Original Version)” Official Music Video

If someone asked what Okinawan music and melodies are like, many people would probably think of THE BOOM’s “Shima Uta.” Featuring Okinawa’s distinctive tunes sung in the Ryukyuan scale at a relaxed pace and arranged with a contemporary touch, this song carries a wish for peace at its core.

Although THE BOOM’s vocalist, Kazufumi Miyazawa, is not from Okinawa, he studied the island’s wartime history and entrusted the lessons and feelings he gained to his music.

“Shima Uta,” which helped bring Okinawa’s traditional music—once not widely known—into the mainstream, remains beloved by many to this day, even being used for eisa performances at school sports festivals.

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nikki

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Ichubi measures

Keihō High School Eisa “Ichubi Bushi”

This Okinawan folk song is notable for its charming lyrics depicting a woman thinking of a man and visiting him under the pretext of going to pick strawberries.

The word “ichubi,” which carries the meaning of strawberry, is used strikingly, and the appearance of strawberries heightens the sense of cuteness.

The light rhythm is another highlight, making it perfect for use in Eisa.

By adding emphatic calls and responses, the strength of the feelings embedded in the lyrics will likely be emphasized even more.

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