Okinawan folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down through song.
Doesn’t Okinawan music have a unique vibe that many people love?
In Okinawa, a distinct culture has been nurtured over a long period of time.
As a result, the unique resonance of the Ryukyuan scale combined with lyrics in the Okinawan dialect gives the music a charm unlike any other.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of folk songs and children’s songs that have been passed down from adults to children for generations in Okinawan music.
Listen to the songs we’re about to share, and carry on the spirit of Okinawa in song yourself.
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Okinawan folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The enduring heart of our homeland (31–40)
Flower ThoughtsHoriuchi Kanako
Kanako Horiuchi, a Hokkaido native who sings Okinawan folk songs, sets off on a round-the-world journey with her sanshin on her back to introduce Okinawan folk music.
This song was born from a collaboration she encountered on that journey with the kora, a Senegalese instrument.
Her activities are driven not only by singing Okinawan folk songs, but also by a desire to bring them overseas.
The Pattern of LifeDaiku Tetsuhiro
While grounding his work in Yaeyama folk songs, Tetsuhiro Daiku has woven in diverse musical elements from around the world to create a richly layered sonic universe.
This compelling piece showcases a legendary collaboration in which folk singer Wataru Takada set to music the poems of Okinawan poet Baku Yamanokuchi—brought to life here with a resonant, textured vocal and the timbre of the sanshin.
Poem of the HeartWagōku Yoriko
It’s a song that really touches the heart.
Many artists have covered it, but the original folk-style singing by Yoriko Gagaku feels very warm and soothing.
I feel it’s a song about the theme of love—not just romantic love.
It brings a comforting feeling, like the moment you find joy in seeing an ordinary flower blooming by the roadside.
Annual Events KudokiTeruya Rinsuke
This is a pop-style song that sings about Okinawa’s many annual events.
Each event has its own meaning and has been carefully preserved, but young people have trouble remembering them.
It’s a song that lets you enjoyably learn about Okinawa’s traditional events and their meanings to a rhythmic tune.
Nineteen SpringsTabata Yoshio
It’s an Okinawan folk song that was also used in the 1999 film “Nabbie’s Love.” The song captures the essence of youth, expressing a tender, youthful crush.
There’s also a cover version by Yoshimi Tendo; hearing it with an enka singing style feels refreshing, and it’s a truly wonderful song.
Okinawan folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our homeland passed down in song (41–50)
Kaze no DonanNishidomari Shigemasa
“Donan” means “Yonaguni Island” in the Yonaguni language, and this is a song about Yonaguni Island, the westernmost island of Japan.
I personally imagine Okinawan songs as either being sung in a clear, soaring high register or delivered with drums and a powerful voice, and this song falls into the latter category.
The low tones really resonate.
Ichubi measures
Ichubi Kobushi is a song about a woman thinking of the man she loves as she goes to pick strawberries.
“Ichubi” means strawberries, and the word itself has a cute ring to it.
In fact, this piece is an Okinawan folk song whose curious lyrics are surprisingly addictive.
It’s said that even locals fluent in the Ryukyuan dialect find the exact meaning hard to interpret.
Despite its enigmatic words, the song has a bright feel with a buoyant rhythm that would pair well with the atmosphere of Eisa dancing.
