Okinawan folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down through song.

play yardMaekawa Morikata

Playground - Mamoru Maekawa

Mamoru Maekawa is a singer who specializes in Okinawan folk music.

His 1988 release “Asibinaa” is an easy-to-listen-to track with a light, lively rhythm.

By the way, the title is pronounced “ashibinaa.” Its approachable arrangement, which also resonates with modern pop, makes it a great recommendation even for people who don’t usually listen to Okinawan folk.

I’ve heard it’s popular in karaoke boxes in Okinawa as well, showing how its friendly melody is loved by many.

Since it’s so well-known, it also seems like a good choice for dancing Eisa!

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Chin-nuku jūshīFour Sisters

Four Sisters Chin Nuku Jūshī (Four Sisters chinnuku jūshī)

This is a song played at Miebashi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail, themed around nostalgic scenes of Okinawan family life from a slightly earlier time.

The image of an Okinawan evening comes vividly to mind.

In an era when family ties are weakening, the compassion conveyed through this song and its lyrics moves us deeply.

Mimura Danceari ari musume

Mimura Dance: Ari Ari Maiden

It is said to be a song that sings about the three villages of Oroku, Tomigusuku, and Kakinohana.

It lists the place names and weaves in stories about local specialties unique to those areas.

Later, it was also performed under new names for three villages—Kamidomari, Tomari, and Moto-no-Tomari.

It is used as the departure melody at Oroku Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail.

Tancha-mae Bushitinkutinku

Tink Tink ♪ Tancha-mae Bushi

This is a song sung in the Tancha area of Onna Village in Okinawa Prefecture.

It begins with a comical exchange: “Schools of sururu (silver-stripe round herring) are swarming onto the beach in front of Tancha!” “No, those are yamato mizu-n (sardines)!” It goes on to depict the scene of men catching the fish and women going around to sell them, even conveying how the scent of fish lingers on the girls after they’ve made their sales.

It is used as the departure melody at Naha Airport Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail.

Thank youMaekawa Morikata

Morikata Maekawa / Kanasandō @ Izakaya Kodama (Tokyo, Koiwa)

“Kanasandō” means “my beloved.” It’s also used to mean “I love you.” From the chorus lyrics, you can feel a warmth that leads to eternal love.

Mamoru Maekawa is always cheerful.

In Okinawa he’s affectionately known by the nickname “Gen-chan,” and this is a song that truly reflects Gen-chan, who was loved by the people of Okinawa.

Hiyamikachi-bushiNoborikawa Seijin

Hiyamikachi-bushi — Seijin Noborikawa

“Hiyamikachi” means something like “Alright, let’s fire ourselves up!” It’s a song filled with the desire to rally Okinawa and its people, who were devastated by the Battle of Okinawa.

Today it’s known as a leading example of fast-picked Okinawan folk songs, but it originally had a slow tempo.

During the folk music boom, it seems to have gotten faster and faster.

It’s fun to sing and fun to listen to, making it one of the songs that many beginners on the sanshin aspire to play.

Seibumon-bushiChimei Sadao & Miyazato Yasuko

Seibumon-bushi Nishingyo — Sadanao China, Yasuko Miyazato

Seibumon refers to the entrance to the Tsuji district, where a red-light quarter once existed.

In the Tsuji area, prostitution and social gatherings took place, and at that time human trafficking also occurred, with children from poor rural areas being sold there.

These girls were called “juri,” and they trained in the performing arts of song and sanshin, developing new songs and advancing their sanshin techniques.

The song Seibumun-bushi is about a Shuri official and a courtesan.