Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Ryukyuan Music] Folk and Classical Music of the Ryukyu Islands

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

When it comes to Ryukyuan folk songs, the simple sanshin accompaniment, the drum rhythms, and the distinctive Ryukyuan vocal style really leave an impression! With just a little listening, you can tell it’s traditional Okinawan music—its presence is deeply tied to a culture that has developed in its own unique way.

I’d like to introduce Ryukyuan folk music, which you could say is filled with the roots of Okinawa! I’ll cover a wide range—from songs often called Okinawan pop that incorporate elements of traditional folk music, to the classical repertoire known as Ryukyuan classical music that was performed in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

These are timeless masterpieces that sing of the Ryukyuan spirit passed down for hundreds of years.

[Ryukyuan Music] Ryukyuan Folk Songs and Classical Music (31–40)

Takeda LullabyYoko Ishikawa

Takeda no Komoriuta by Yoko Ishikawa at Utahime

Takeda Lullaby Yoko Ishikawa

This song was originally a folk song sung in Fushimi, Kyoto, but now it can be considered a nationwide folk song, and it is often sung in Okinawa using the sanshin.

The Okinawan singer Misako Koja is said to perform a version of Takeda Lullaby in the Okinawan dialect as well.

Though the places are different, it seems that the feelings of people burdened with misfortune by history ride on the music and reach our hearts.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

We introduced folk songs that sing of the spirit of Ryukyu.

For people in Okinawa, these are tunes you’re probably familiar with in everyday life; for those outside the prefecture, they may feel a bit fresh while still distinctly Okinawan.

In particular, Ryukyuan classical music is packed with Okinawa’s roots, passed down for hundreds of years.

If you’re interested, please be sure to listen to more classical pieces that we couldn’t cover this time.