■ Independently evolving Okinawan music
Okinawa Prefecture is the closest part of Japan to the countries of Southeast Asia.
One of the most popular types of Japanese music in the world is Okinawan folk music and popular music that have been passed down through the ages in Okinawa located in the East China Sea.
In contrast to much Japanese folk music that tends to be heavy on formality and the passing down of tradition, the musical culture of Okinawa that has evolved on these islands is quite distinctive.
One of the characteristics of this music is the tendency to carry on traditional compositions while incorporating elements of recent popular music.
■ Okinawa’s music and exotic atmosphere
Okinawa Prefecture was once a different country.
Up until the 19th century it was a separate country called the Ryukyu Kingdom. Because it was also a territory of the United States temporarily for a period following WW2, Okinawa’s music has been influenced by both old folk songs and American popular music.
As the traditional music of the royal palace (Uzagaku) became popularized into folk music, Japanese style banquet music, popular music, and children’s music, in this manner Okinawan music is said to have undergone its own independent evolution.
Although it is difficult to determine the roots of Okinawan music, it is proved that China and Indonesia had a significant influence.
This is due to the fact that the Ryukyu Kingdom traded very actively with the countries of Asia.
Reference: (“Haisai Ojisan” (Hey, Old Man) by Shoukichi Kina & Champloose on Youtube）
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7THMf7GdhQE
■ Commonalities between Okinawan music and Indonesia [1]
Okinawan music appears to have several things in common with the music of Asian countries such as Indonesia. One of the key characteristics is the Okinawan scale (Ryukyuan scale).
While the general scale for Western music is the eight-note scale (doremifasolatido), Okinawan music uses a six-note scale without the “re” or “la.”
This is a sound that is similar to Gamelan music found in Indonesia and other places in Southeast Asia, and it is particularly similar to the Pelog scale.
There are also scales in China’s Yunnan Province and Bhutan at the foot of the Himalayas that are similar.
■ Commonalities between Okinawan music and Indonesia [2]
An instrument called the sanshin (three strings) is essential for Okinawan music.
The sanshin is special for Okinawan people. It is said to have originally come from China in around the 14th to 15th century.
A formal sanshin is made of the skin of the pythons that inhabit Southeast Asia stretched over a body.
For this reason it is also called a jabisen (snake skin strings).
■ Commonalities between Okinawan music and Indonesia [3]
There is an old song called “Asadoya Yunta.” This is a romantic Ryukyuan song that has been passed down to Taketomi Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
The lyrics contain the phrase “mataharinu chindara kanushama yo” in the Yaeyama dialect, which means “let’s meet again, beautiful one.”
There is the theory that it is very similar to the phrase “the sun loves us equally” in the Indonesian language.
Some people also believe that the sound and pronunciation of the Okinawan dialect is remarkably similar to the Indonesian language.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5nUw_Z_wg
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