Ryukyu Festival
This exhibit introduces the culture of the “Ryukyu Kingdom” period of Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan.
See the dances and music of the court and the ritual arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
This exhibit introduces the culture of the “Ryukyu Kingdom” period of Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan.
See the dances and music of the court and the ritual arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
This exhibit introduces the culture of the “Ryukyu Kingdom” period of Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan.
See the dances and music of the court and the ritual arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
This exhibit introduces the culture of the “Ryukyu Kingdom” period of Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan.
See the dances and music of the court and the ritual arts of the people.
EXPO 2025 Participation
| １．'Kutibushi' Kiki Shimajiri |
| A flower of festive dance performed by young people in furisode (long-sleeved kimono). |
| ２．'Kashikaki' Satoru Arakaki |
| A woman weaving a loom for someone she misses. |
| ３．'Me-nuhama' Takana Kojima |
| The youth's vigorous and powerful dance. |
| ４．'Bu-no-mai' Lions Dance and Stick Art Preservation Society in Shitahaku |
| It consists of demonstrations of stick fighting, karate, etc., and dance. |
| ５．'Shudun' Yoshikazu Sanabe |
| A maiden in love, by a woman. |
| ６．'Munjuru' Ayano Nishimura |
| A bright dance of a young girl who adores her lover. |
| ７．'Shishimai'(Lion Dance) Lions Dance and Stick Art Preservation Society in Shitahaku |
| It consists mainly of lion dances to exorcise evil. |
| ８．'Hanahu' Kiki Shimajiri |
| Seeing off a lover departing by boat from the hills. |
| ９．'Tanchame' Takana Kojima, Yoshikazu Sanabe |
| A young fisherman and his daughter dance happily on the beach. |
| 10．'Kanayo Amaka' Satoru Arakaki, AyanoNishimura |
| A friendly man and woman frolicking by the waterside. |
| 11．'Miyako Island Pops' Isamu Shimoji |
| Island songs sung in Myakuhutu (Miyako language). |
Ryukyuan Dance
This is the official banquet dance of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was classified according to age and gender into dances for boys, young men, women, and old men, and performed by the samurai of Shuri Castle. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), productions based on the life and customs of the common people were created, and it became one of Okinawa's representative performing arts.
Folk Dance
Lion dances, stick dances, and martial arts dances in the form of karate kata are still performed in the festivals of the common people in modern times. The highlight of the performance is the vigorous outpouring of energy, and the sincere wish to exorcise evil from the community and welcome the gods. It is performed by the members of Shitahaku, Yaese Town.
Miyako Island Pops
Okinawa is home to islands of all sizes. Each island has its own “island songs” that give rise to Okinawa's rich culture. Isamu Shimoji, a singer from Miyako Island, plays guitar to create pop songs that evoke the fresh breeze of the remote islands, using words from Miyako and other languages.
Special Exhibition "Karakuri Fireworks in Ryukyu Kingdom"
The “Karakuri Fireworks,” a hidden treasure of the Ryukyu Kingdom that once bloomed in the imperial garden of Shurijo Castle, will be on display!
Click here for the special page.
⇒ Karakuri Fireworks in Ryukyu Kingdom
About This Site
This program is created to introduce the performance program and Ryukyuan performing arts for participation in the EXPO 2025 “Ryukyu Festival”.
All information posted on this site is subject to copyright and is protected by Japanese copyright law and international treaties. Also, secondary use of any information posted on this website, including photocopying or reproducing without permission, is prohibited.
＜Sources of Materials＞
－ Lions Dance and Stick Art Preservation Society in Shitahaku (photos of the folk dance)
－ ARIZE Ltd. (photos of the Miyako Island Pops)
－ Yohei Oshiro (photos of the fireworks)
＜Contact Information＞
National Theatre Okinawa / Research Materials Section of the Planning and Production Division
Tel. 098-871-3318
＜Link＞
・National Theatre Okinawa
＜Updates＞
2025.3.31： “Ryukyu Festival” website is launched
This website is created by the National Theatre Okinawa as part of the project selected as 2024 JAPAN CULTURAL EXPO 2.0 Project (Commissioned).
Organized by: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan; Japan Arts Council; National Theatre Okinawa Management Foundation
