Kagiyadefu | かぎやで風 

”Kagiyadefu (Kajyadefu-bushi)” is a well known piece of Ryukyu classical music that used to be played at the opening of ceremonial banquets at the Ryukyu Kingdom’s imperial court. It is occasionally called “Gujinfu.” Gujin (御前）means “in the presence of the king.” 

The lyrics say: “What can you compare a delightful day like today to? This joy is like a bud that suddenly blooms when it receives the morning dew.”

Even today, it is a very special song that is always played at celebrations such as weddings, housewarmings, New Year's day and many other celebratory occasions. It expresses everyone’s longevity and family prosperity. When its majestic prelude begins, it signals the start of the ceremony.

今日の誇らしやや（きゆぬふくらしゃや）　

何にぎやな譬てる（なうにじゃなたてぃる）

莟で居る花の（つぃぶでぃをるはなぬ）

露行逢た如（つぃゆちゃたぐとぅ）

Watarizou | 渡りざう ~ Tachiutushi | 瀧落とし 

This is one of the few instrumental pieces in Ryukyuan classical music that does not feature vocals. “Watarizou” is used in Ryukyuan dance performances to build excitement at the start of a show or when performers appear on stage with its soaring stately melody. "Tachi-utushi" originated as a piece for the Ryukyuan koto (zither) but gradually came to be performed on the sanshin as well; in Okinawa, it is commonly heard during New Year's celebrations and other festive occasions.

Uechi-ryu So-ke Karate Demonstration | 上地流宗家　空手

Uechi-Ryū is a traditional Okinawan style of karate named for Kanbun Uechi. As a young man, Kanbun traveled from Okinawa to Fukien Province, China, where he studied the martial art known as Pangainoon—meaning “half hard, half soft.” He later brought these teachings back with him to Okinawa, and following his death in 1948, the style was renamed Uechi-Ryū in his honor. Its traditional teachings were carried forward through the Uechi family lineage, first by Kanbun’s son, Kanei, and later his grandson, Kanmei. Drawing upon the characteristics of the Tiger, Crane, and Dragon, Uechi-Ryū emphasizes a balance of power, speed, grace, and unrelenting spirit. The system consists of eight kata, including the three original forms brought forth by Kanbun: Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu.

As part of tonight’s celebration of Okinawan history and culture, performers will present two of the three original kata: Sanchin and Seisan. Sanchin, meaning “three conflicts” is the foundational kata of Uechi-Ryū and is traditionally associated with the harmonization of the mind, body, and spirit. Seisan, one of the original kata of the system, means “thirteen” and is traditionally interpreted as thirteen positions of attack and defense.

Through these two kata, the performers hope to offer a small glimpse into Okinawa’s rich martial arts heritage and a tradition that has been preserved and passed from teacher to student for generations.

Kunjyan sabakui | 国頭サバクイ 

Kunjan means Kunigami which is the northern area of Okinawa and Sabakui is the title of the local government official of the Ryukyu kingdom era. In the 1600s, the King of Ryukyu searched for logs to build the Shuri Castle. The only trees large enough for construction grew in the forests of Kunjan, a mountainous region in northern Okinawa.

It was difficult and dangerous to cut logs and then move them down the steep mountainside to the shore nearby. The villagers and workers sang the song, boosting their spirits and their fatigue. Along with this work, Sabakui, who was the government official, guarded the roads of Kunjan to support them. The logs destined to become the castle's pillars were transported by large ships from the northern coast to Naha Port (Southern coast) and then hauled to the construction site.

It was heartbreaking to watch the news of the Shuri Castle being burned down by the fire on October 31th, 2019. In November 2022, coinciding with the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the Main Hall, a "Log Hauling Ceremony" (Kibiki-shiki) was held, modeled after rituals from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. The large log transported from Kunigami Village was safely delivered to Shuri Castle as many people watched over alongside the street. Since then, dedicated reconstruction work has been underway, and the completion ceremony for the restored Main Hall of the castle is scheduled to take place on November 22, 2026.

 Abujyaama | アブジャーマ

This rhythmic and lively tune is a folk song known as "Yamazaki nu Abujama-bushi," which has been handed down on Kuroshima Island in the Yaeyama region of Okinawa Prefecture since around the 19th century; the title translates to "The Old Man of Yamazaki Village."

The performers wear masks representing an elderly man and woman, known as "Angama." In the Yaeyama dialect, the old man is called *Ushumai* and the old woman is called *Nmii*. Every year during the Obon festival (based on the lunar calendar), the two performers wearing these masks visit individual households to conduct traditional rituals honoring their ancestors.

Yotsutake | 四つ竹 　

＊Hidekatsu＊

This is a signature piece of onna-odori (female dance) within the tradition of Ryukyuan classical dance. The dancer performs in a vibrant bingata costume, wearing a hanagasa (flower hat) and holding yotsudake—small bamboo clappers—in both hands, which she strikes gracefully as she moves. The sound of the yotsudake is said to purify the atmosphere at celebratory gatherings. The original dance dates back to the 15th century during the Ryukyu Kingdom era ; this dance has been performed to the song of "Udui Kwadesa-bushi" to welcome important guests arriving from afar. Today, please enjoy the collaboration between Ryukyuan classical dance and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko, featuring a striking musical arrangement by Hidekatsu.

Kamigami no Uta | 神々の詩   

＊Himekami＊

This song uses the ancient language of the Jomon period in Japan. It provides a short introduction of the character Mapo. It is sung by Himekami. It exudes an ancient, mystical atmosphere.

KANJIHON 

＊Kakugyo Ishiyama & Hidekatsu＊

This is a majestic and powerful spiritual world music piece created by Shingon Buddhist monk Kakugyo Ishiyama and Okinawa-based music producer Hidekatsu.

Kaze no Yuibito | 風の結人

＊Hidekatsu＊

This song creates a unique soundscape by blending Okinawan rhythms with elements of genre-defying music and a contemporary sound. The title "Yuibito" refers to yui—the Okinawan spirit of mutual aid—and the connections between people; the song is a grand, vital anthem about how the wind carries these bonds, human endeavors, and the world itself, linking them all together.

ARYU NOISE | 亜流NOISE

＊DA PUMP＊

One of our few pieces that does not feature drums, this piece's flag choreography is unique to the Massachusetts branch of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko. 

Live Sanshin Performance

Asia wo Wataru Kaze | アジアを渡る風

This piece features the shishi, or mythical Okinawan lion. Like many Asian countries, Okinawa has a rich tradition of lion dance. The Okinawa branches of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (RMD) have ten active shishi in total: four for regular members and six for junior members. It is one of RMD Okinawa’s shishi that has crossed the ocean to perform for us tonight. 

On stage today in Massachusetts is Nagomi-chan-- or, as she is more affectionately called, Nacchan. While many RMD branches feature women performing the full lion dance today, this was not the case in the early 2000s. At the time, women’s performances as shishi were limited to walking around in the costume: few female members stepped forward to take on the challenge of the full dance. In 2001, however, two women -- Waka and Mio -- volunteered to tackle the full lion dance, including acrobatic choreography that requires performers to carry each other and to roll the shishi in tandem. They became the first women in Okinawa Prefecture to perform the lion dance in the authentic style. When asked to name the shishi, they incorporated kanji characters from both of their names. Since the resulting characters could be read as either "Kazumi" or "Nagomi," they decided to give her the official name "Nagomi-chan" and the nickname "Nacchan."

This will be Nacchan's first time performing overseas, so her momentous debut performance coincides with the first anniversary performance held by the Massachusetts branch.  The Massachusetts branch is honored to have Mio, one of these pioneering women, perform in Nacchan tonight. 

RIE. Irei, our shibucho (branch leader), has fond memories of performing with Waka for one of Texas branch's anniversary shows. At that time, a different shishi took the stage, and Waka took the rear position. This time, Mio will be performing as the head! 

The shishi will appear again later in the show.  Remember that it's good luck to receive a nibble from the lion!

 - INTERMISSION - 

Chunjunnagari | 仲順流り

This is a very old folk song. The song title "Chunjun" is the name of the village in Kitanakagusuku on Okinawa Island, and "Nagari" which is “Nagare” in Japanese seems to mean "flow," but the exact reason why the word "Nagari" is used is unclear. The song seems to be based on a folk tale about a person named Chunjun Ufushu, who ruled that  area around the 13th century. This song is often performed in a medley format with Kudaka Manju-shu in Eisa performance. Eisa is traditionally performed to honor our ancestors during the Obon season of the lunar calendar. In Okinawa, it is usually performed at night with dancers and the sanshin players parading through the village. This procession is called "Michijune," a style similar to a marching band parade. In traditional Michijune, it often begins with the lyrics: "Shichigachi Tanabata ~ Nakanu Tuka Niiseetaa ga Surututi Uduyutan" (From the Tanabata 7th of July to around the middle of the month, for about ten days, the young people are gathered and dancing). This song is played a lot during the season, so for Okinawan people, it becomes very familiar and evokes nostalgia.

Kudaka  | 久高  

＊Parsha cluB (Vocal: Yukito Ara)＊

“Kudaka” is also a popular Eisa song in Okinawa.  The song lyrics comically explain that “Kudaka” is a family man who has a face that resembles a manjyu (Japanese bun).  He is focused on partying and neglects family responsibilities including care of the butsudan (family altar) during the Obon season.  This song lampoons public morality but also reminds us to cherish our family and ancestors.

Kaachipai | 夏至南風 

＊The Sakishima Meeting (Yukito Ara & Isamu Shimoji)＊

The Kachibee (also known locally as Kachibai or Kachipai) is a strong seasonal wind that blows from the south around the time of the summer solstice. When this warm, humid wind begins to blow, temperatures rise sharply and the sky and sea clear to a brilliant blue; it signals the end of the rainy season and the arrival of true summer in Okinawa.

Tinsagunuhana | てぃんさぐぬ花 

"Tinsagu nu Hana" refers to the balsam flower in the Okinawan language (dialect). It is a beloved Okinawan song that imparts a moral lesson: 

Just as the color of the balsam flower stains the fingernails, one should deeply engrave the teachings of one's parents upon one's heart. 

In the past, it was believed that staining one's fingernails with the juice of the balsam flower served as a charm against evil.

Toki wo koe | 時をこえ

＊HY＊

This song was created by HY, a band born and raised in Okinawa, based on the experiences of their grandparents and great-grandparents who survived the Battle of Okinawa. It conveys a message about the sanctity of life: that all lives are equal, and that our existence today is thanks to those who endured harrowing times and passed the gift of life down to us—reminding us that we must cherish our own lives.

"We must be the ones to tell the story... Memories slip away with each passing day, so we must convey them—through this song, we must reach out to you."

Sanshin no Hana | 三線の花 

＊BEGIN＊

"Sanshin no Hana" by BEGIN is a heartwarming and deeply moving masterpiece that portrays feelings for a loved one who has passed away, all centered around a sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument) left behind by a grandfather. As one wipes away the dust from the instrument—once kept in the tokonoma (alcove)—and tunes its strings to play a melody, vivid memories of days spent together and the old island songs come flooding back. The song intertwines the quiet, everyday contentment of sitting where one's grandfather once sat—sipping a drink while gazing at one's family—with the tender act of remembering a cherished loved one. The phrase "weeping in autumn, enduring the winter, and blooming in spring" captures the idea that after weathering sorrow and hardship (the winter), joy, beautiful memories, and warm love (the spring blossoms) will eventually bloom within the heart.

Shinkanucha | シンカヌチャー  

＊Kazufumi Miyazawa＊

"Shinka-nucha" means "friends" or "companions" in the Okinawan language (Uchinaaguchi), and this song serves as an anthem for everyone around the world who loves Okinawa. It conveys the message that "Shinka-nucha" encompasses not only those born in Okinawa but also people of Okinawan descent living across the globe who cherish its customs, as well as those who—despite having no Okinawan blood—love the region and study its music, performing arts, or karate. The hope is that by singing and dancing together, everyone will experience a sense of unity and oneness of heart.

Shurayoi |シュラヨイ 

＊Kiiyama Shoten＊

The title "Shurayoi" refers to the rhythmic cheerful chants found in Okinawa’s Yaeyama region folk songs, used to energize the performance and the audience. The eisa choreography with this song became popular instantly after being performed during the 2023 Eisa Pageant—an event organized by Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko that connected participants across the world.

Mirukumunari |ミルクムナリ

＊Hidekatsu＊

This is Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko’s signature performance piece. The title of this song means the “Dance of God.” Miruku comes from the word Miroku Bosatsu in Japanese. In Okinawa, “Miruku” is considered as the god who brings good harvests from far beyond the seas to the islands once a year. “Munari” means dance in the Balinese language.

Gokokuhojo | 五穀豊穣

＊Parsha cluB (Vocal: Yukito Ara)＊

The term “Gokoku Hojo” translates to “Beautiful Harvest of Five Grains”. These five staple grains are rice, wheat, millet, sorghum and foxtail millet. This song thanks and celebrates a good harvest of the year. The music is written and played by Parsha cluB, the vocalist of the group is Yukito Ara！