What we do

Small recitals of ryukyuan classical music in the four seasons

  • Organization : Yasuki Uchima
  • Section : Artistic and creative activity in Tokyo
  • Type of Grant Program : Single Individual
  • Art Forms : Japanese Traditional Art

Outline

A four-part performance series showcasing ryukyuan classical music and ryukyuan dance at various small venues in Tokyo. Audiences were able to enjoy a program delineating each season of spring, summer, autumn and winter and featuring a minimum stage setup of one person utasanshin (singing and playing the sanshin lute) and one person dancing, as well as venues, programs and dancers that changed each time.
Ryukyuan classical music and ryukyuan dance is usually performed by multiple people in venues such as theaters: in offering recitals in small spaces with a minimum number of performers, organizers were attempting to create something different, and convey to the fullest extent the essence and appeal of this tradition to audience members. The performances featured program commentary that included the historical and cultural background to Ryukyuan classical music and dance, in order to make it easier for people new to the tradition to understand.

Performers
Utasanshin vocals and lute: Yasuki Uchima (Vol. 1-4)
Dancers: Nobuaki Ohama (Vol.1), Hiroaki Taguchi (Vol. 2), Shinji Kinjo (Vol.3), Shigeo Miyagi (Vol.4)

Profile

Yasuki Uchima
Born in Okinawa City in Okinawa Prefecture in 1989. Studied ryukyuan classical music under An-yu Uchima. He is an instructor for the Ryukyu sokyoku koyokai association.

Venues

Mitaka Seishintei, Mitaka City, Tokyo
Chukoji, Taito City, Tokyo
Shakujii Butai, Nerima City, Tokyo
Watanabe Ongakudo Bellne Saal, Adachi City, Tokyo