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Okinawan Harmony
(Sanshin - an Okinawan musical instrument – Copyright Tim Duncan)
Okinawan music is like no other in Japan--it can sound exotic even to mainlanders, with its unique musical scale, sanshin three-stringed accompaniment and haunting lyrics.
"Flowers going out of bloom/Will never blossom again/Likewise we should give sympathy/To people who are leaving," is a translation from one song.
One non-Okinawan who is a fan of Okinawan music is the American jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer, 36, who has performed with many of the legends of jazz since joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at age 18.
He worked with Yasukatsu Oshima on a disc of traditional Okinawan songs, and the result is soothing and rather quiet. "Yasukatsu Oshima with Geoffrey Keezer" was recorded in February 2006 in New York. The two musicians will be performing across Japan this month (July 2007). (For a sample song click here.)
Eight of the disc's songs originate in Okinawa Prefecture's Okinawa Islands and Yaeyama Islands (which include Oshima's home, Ishigakijima Island); two are songs created by Oshima.
Oshima’s 2002 album "Shimajikan--Island Time" was created after his world travels and in some ways is a return in attitude to the Okinawan way of life.日本の手紙
posted by Message from Japan on Sunday, July 08, 2007
