Okinawa Music Night
Okinawa is an island located southern part of Japan.
Because the place is isolated from the mainland Japan, Okinawa has developed its own unique history and culture.
Music is one of the features you find different from mainland Japan.
Last night, we had an Okinawa Music Night event at our hostel.
We welcomed a group of musicians and performed Okinawa music and dance.
First performance was The Yotsutake Dance. Yotsutake are two sets of rectangular bamboo strips tied together, one set held in each hand, clapped together on the strong beat of the music.
Next was Hatomabushi. Hatoma Island is a small island four kilometres in diameter, which lies to the north of Iriomote Island, in the Yaeyama group of islands.
Hatoma bushi is a slow dance performed during the Kitsugwan Festival to give thanks for a good rice crop.
It was a slow dance, but the song was taken to mainland Okinawa and changed to a lively tempo.
Then the Okinawa folk songs.
In the end, our guests danced to the Okinawa music.
The event was successful and everyone seemed to have a good time.
They also enjoyed the food that me and Tomo made!
Many thanks to all the performers who made the night so entertaining.
And also to our staff members who helped to make the event possible.
You can find more photos here
