Ryukyu Festival
In this program, we introduce the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom era in Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan. Please enjoy the imperial court dance and music and the ritual performing arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
In this program, we introduce the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom era in Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan. Please enjoy the imperial court dance and music and the ritual performing arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
In this program, we introduce the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom era in Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan. Please enjoy the imperial court dance and music and the ritual performing arts of the people.
Ryukyu Festival
In this program, we introduce the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom era in Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan. Please enjoy the imperial court dance and music and the ritual performing arts of the people.
Taking part in EXPO 2025
| １．'Kutibushi' Kiki Shimajiri |
| The flower of celebratory dances performed by a young boy in furisode (long-sleeved kimono) |
| ２．'Kashikaki' Satoru Arakaki |
| A woman weaving while thinking about her beloved one |
| ３．'Menuhama' Takana Kojima |
| A powerful and lively dance of a young man |
| ４．'Bunomai' Shitahaku Shishimai & Boujutsu Preservation Society |
| This consists of dances and martial arts demonstrations such as Boujutsu (stick fighting) and Karate |
| ５．'Shudun' Yoshikazu Sanabe |
| A lovesick maiden played by an onnagata (male actor playing a female role) |
| ６．'Munjuru' Ayano Nishimura |
| An energetic dance of a young girl who adores her lover |
| ７．'Shishimai'(Lion Dance) Shitahaku Shishimai & Boujutsu Preservation Society |
| This consists mainly of Shishimai (lion dance) that is said to drive evil spirits away |
| ８．'Hanafu' Kiki Shimajiri |
| This portrays the feelings of a woman on a hill watching her lover depart on a ship |
| ９．'Tanchame' Takana Kojima, Yoshikazu Sanabe |
| A young fisherman and a girl dance happily on the beach |
| 10．'Kanayo Amaka' Satoru Arakaki, AyanoNishimura |
| An intimate man and woman flirting by a water side |
| 11．'Miyakojima Pop Music' Isamu Shimoji |
| Island songs sung in Miyako dialect |
Ryukyuan Dance
A formal banquet dance of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is divided into dances for young boys, young men, women, and old people. And they were performed by the samurai of Shurijo Castle. During the Meiji era, many works on the theme of the manners and customs of common people were created, and it became a performing art that represents Okinawa.
Folk Entertainment
It includes Shishimai and Bunomai (martial dances) such as Boujutsu and Kata (forms) of Karate, and is still performed at festivals of common people even today. Evil is warded off through lively performances. They will be performed by the people of Shitahaku, Yaese Town.
Miyakojima Pop Music
Okinawa has various islands, large and small, and each island has its own island songs. Isamu Shimoji, a singer of Miyakojima Island, will sing refreshing pop music with a guitar, using Miyako dialect.
Special Exhibition: Karakuri Fireworks of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Karakuri Fireworks, the hidden treasures of Ryukyu Kingdom performed in the garden of Shurijo Castle in the past, will be exhibited!
Click here for the exclusive website.
⇒ “Karakuri Fireworks” of the Ryukyu Kingdom
About This Site
This site was created to introduce the performance program and the Ryukyuan performing arts upon participating in Expo 2025 by holding the 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＞
－ Shitahaku Shishimai & Boujutsu Preservation Society (photos of the Folk Entertainment)
－ ARIZE Ltd. (photos of the Miyakojima Pop Music)
－ Yohei Oshiro (photos of the Karakuri 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
