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4. Music in Okinawa
To the people of Okinawa, a sanshin is like a treasure.
In many houses the sanshin is placed in the tokonoma, the place of honor in a home.
People play it at home quite often.
In many places, people play the sanshin and sing Okinawan folk music.
The music of Okinawa is in the people's hearts.
Folk music of Okinawa sounds peaceful in general.
The tunes are touching.
Sometimes they make you feel cheerful as well.
Okinawan musicians continue this tradition, but they also take in new ideas and make new music.
For instance, after World War II, American military personnel were stationed in Okinawa.
The Americans brought in jazz and rock music.
The heavy rhythm of rock was taken into Okinawan folk music and became Okinawan Rock.
Since then, some Okinawan musicians have put Okinawan folk music together with other kinds of music.
In this way "Okinawan pop music," or "Champurû (meaning 'combination') music" was born.
From traditional folk to Okinawan pop, the energy of Okinawa is expressed in its music.