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[Traditional Performing Arts of Okinawa] A special feature on classic Eisa songs that make you want to dance

We’re introducing songs that make you want to dance—both lively picks and timeless classics—perfect for Eisa, the traditional Okinawan summer performance.

Eisa is said to have begun as a dance to see off and welcome ancestral spirits during the Obon season, and nowadays events are held not only in Okinawa but elsewhere as well.

Each song captures the spirit and character of Okinawa, lifting you into a bright, joyful mood.

Give them a listen not only when choosing music for Eisa, but also whenever you want to savor powerful, radiant Okinawan songs that fit beautifully in those settings.

Playlist

[Traditional Performing Arts of Okinawa] A special feature on classic Eisa songs that make you want to dance
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastTōfun Doi
Tōfun Doiplay_arrow
Tōshin Dōi is a representative kachāshī song
2eastDynamic RyukyuIkuma Akira
Dynamic RyukyuIkuma Akiraplay_arrow
Ikuma Akira's Okinawa-only single
3eastKudaka Manju-shu
Kudaka Manju-shuplay_arrow
Kudaka Manju-shu is a representative song of Eisa folk music.
4eastNakazun Nagare
Nakazun Nagareplay_arrow
An energetic traditional song from Okinawan folk music
5eastBountiful Harvest Dance
Bountiful Harvest Danceplay_arrow
The representative song of the Okinawan folk dance Kachāshī, Hōnen Ondo
6eastSuri East-bushi
Suri East-bushiplay_arrow
Suri-higashi-bushi is an Okinawan folk song suited for Eisa
7eastMilk MunariHii de Katsu
Milk MunariHii de Katsuplay_arrow
Milk Munnarī is a creative Eisa in the Yaeyama dialect
8eastAsadoya Yunta
Asadoya Yuntaplay_arrow
Traditional work songs of the Yaeyama Islands
9eastplay yardMaekawa Morikata
play yardMaekawa Morikataplay_arrow
Introduction to signature songs by Okinawan folk singers
10eastEisa NightNatsukawa Rimi
Eisa NightNatsukawa Rimiplay_arrow
Rimi Natsukawa's Eisa theme song
11eastUmiya color
Umiya colorplay_arrow
A romantic love song from Okinawan folk music
12eastIchubi measures
Ichubi measuresplay_arrow
An Okinawan folk song about going to pick strawberries while thinking of the man she loves.
13eastIsland SongTHE BOOM
Island SongTHE BOOMplay_arrow
THE BOOM’s “Shima Uta,” with its distinctive Okinawan scale melody
14eastOrion Beer, Okinawa’s prideBEGIN
Orion Beer, Okinawa’s prideBEGINplay_arrow
BEGIN’s hidden gem: Orion Beer
15eastHello UncleKina Shōkichi & Chanpurūzu
Hello UncleKina Shōkichi & Chanpurūzuplay_arrow
Introduction to a collaboration song by Shoukichi Kina and Champloose
16eastPa-pa PineappleNagopainappurupāku
Pa-pa PineappleNagopainappurupākuplay_arrow
Okinawa theme song of Nago Pineapple Park
17eastKankara Sanshin UmushirumunBEGIN
Kankara Sanshin UmushirumunBEGINplay_arrow
Expressing family harmony with a cheerful sanshin melody
18eastRyukyuan HymnKaisegatou Yutaka
Ryukyuan HymnKaisegatou Yutakaplay_arrow
A masterpiece harmonizing Okinawan tradition and contemporary music
19eastFlower CityIkuma Akira
Flower CityIkuma Akiraplay_arrow
A fusion work of Okinawan traditional music and rock
20eastFestival of ProsperityYaeyama min’yō
Festival of ProsperityYaeyama min'yōplay_arrow
Liven up Eisa dances and sports days with Yaeyama folk songs
21eastMy heart is pounding with excitement.Kochinda Takane
My heart is pounding with excitement.Kochinda Takaneplay_arrow
A fusion song of Okinawan folk music and pop
22eastEisa: Wind of Ryukyu
Eisa: Wind of Ryukyuplay_arrow
Okinawan Eisa experience song for children
23eastAcross timeHY
Across timeHYplay_arrow
A song that conveys the importance of peace through my grandparents’ wartime experiences
24eastThank you / GreetingsIkuma Akira
Thank you / GreetingsIkuma Akiraplay_arrow
A sports day song blending Okinawan tradition and modernity
25eastMami and Toma styleYaeyama min’yō
Mami and Toma styleYaeyama min'yōplay_arrow
Enhancing Eisa with the vibrant flair of Yaeyama folk songs
26eastHana nu Chura ShimaTokeiji Tsutomu
Hana nu Chura ShimaTokeiji Tsutomuplay_arrow
An Okinawan cultural anthem where the sanshin and pop music merge
27eastA place to return toHY
A place to return toHYplay_arrow
An Okinawan melody air song by HY that sings of love for their hometown
28eastParadiseMiyagi Mamoru
ParadiseMiyagi Mamoruplay_arrow
A fusion song of Okinawan traditional music and pop
29eastVoice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)
Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)play_arrow
Okinawan folk song-style ballad, the warm tone of the sanshin
30eastTears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi
Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimiplay_arrow
Rimi Natsukawa’s signature song. Charted for 157 weeks.
31eastFestival of the Seventh Month
Festival of the Seventh Monthplay_arrow
Ryukyu Drum Dance Piece Fusing Okinawan Tradition and Modernity