Traditional Performing Arts

In the last few decades, technology has played a major part in transforming the world of entertainment in television, social media, online gaming widely available to almost anyone anywhere.  However in the past, entertainment mainly came from performing arts on stage and in some cases, it was exclusively performed for the nobility or royal families.  Although Okinawa is part of Japan, they have their own unique performing arts which is highly regarded worldwide till today.

Kumiodori

Kumiodori is the original local theatrical performance that consists of three elements – music, words and dance, still performed beautifully till today at National Theatre Okinawa, Urasoe city.
A refined entertainment that is only for the royal court and Chinese Imperial envoys during the Ryukyu era, it all started in the early 18th century when a dance magistrate, Tamagusuku Chokun was appointed to entertain the Chinese envoys who were sent by the Chinese emperor with the Imperial edict to crown the new king of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Tamagusuku Chokun then looked into native performance and fables inspired from mainland Japan theatrical art forms – Kabuki and Noh as well as Chinese theater, which then came up with the “Chokun’s five masterpieces”.  Nido Tekiuchi and Shushin Kaneiri were two of the masterpieces that were first played at the King Sho Kei’s enthronement ceremony in 1719. Together with Mekarushi, Onnamonogurui, Kokonomaki, these masterpieces are categorised as Kumiodori.

Among the three elements in Kumiodori, dance is the most important element as it is based on the Ryukyuan style dance with elegant movement as the story develops. Another is the words spoken in the act that depicts each character’s role, social position and gender.  Lastly, the music played brings out the character’s feelings, personality and the story’s passage of time and is played by the musicians called Jiutai with five instruments – Drum, Koto, Sanshin, Flute and Kokyu.
Aside from the music that the actor sings with, different scenes and expressing a character’s feelings are expressed in different sound effects.
Kumiodori was nominated as a National Important Intangible Cultural Property, one of Japan’s top quality performing arts in 1972 as well as named in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

Ryukyuan dance

To go more in depth of Ryukyuan dance, they are interestingly influenced by the socio-historical conditions and are classified into 4 types of dance genre.  Firstly, Traditional Dance that is also known as the court dance. Next, Zo Odori (Zo Dance) which emerged in the late 19th century through the common people’s daily lives where it expresses one’s feelings and attitudes. Thirdly, Modern Dance that was created during the postwar years.  Lastly, Folk Dance which derives from the context of the festivities and rituals of local communities throughout the island and have been passed down from generations.

Traditional dance was developed in the 18th century to entertain the Chinese envoys giving them the highest hospitality during the Ryukyu era.  There are few types of traditional dance ; Rojin Odori, ‘old married couple’s dance, denoting longevity and an abundance of progeny, Wakashu Odori, the dance of young boys in the coming-of-age ceremony, Onna Odori, an all-female dance dressed in bright coloured Bingata dyed costumes with amorous passions through the restrained gestures dancing style and Nisai Odori, a young men’s dance that expresses the gallantry gestures and masculine side through karate and Japanese dance styles influences.

Throughout the years, dancing arts have become more diversified and modern dance also known as creative dance is created by dancers of modern time.  On the other hand, the genre of folk dance is entertainment from festivals and is passed down from one generation to the next in local communities/villages.  Some major ones are still practised till today e.g. Eisa, Shishimai and Bou Odori.  Ryukyuan Dance was also nominated as a National Important Intangible Cultural Property in 2009.

Sanshin

Aside from admiring the dances, Sanshin music is also part of a significant performing arts in Okinawa.  Sanshin music is roughly divided into traditional music or folk music.  Traditional music is the court music played during the Ryukyu era that accompanies the traditional dance and Kumiodori whereas for folk music, they are usually music created among the commoners and are passed down to generations.

Okinawa traditional performing arts have flourished through the history of drastic changes and difficult conditions, yet still growing strong with vivid beauty.  Many performing arts have kept the tradition still can be enjoyed at theatres such as Ryukuan dance, folk entertainment, Okinawa plays and Sanshin music.