Okinawan Dance
& Music Heritage
Listen to a small sample of traditional Okinawan music below.
Elements of Dance Costumes
Hanagasa – floral headdress
This headdress with its red floral-shaped design and blue wave patterns has come to serve as a symbol of Okinawa. Its brilliance enhances the festive quality of dance such as Yotsutake, while in Nufa Bushi it represents in a highly concentrated form the female spirit as manifest in romantic love.
Hanazumi Tiisaji – woven figured cloth
The hanazumi tiisaji is a length of figured cloth woven by a woman as a token of her affection for a man. In Hanafu, it is employed as a symbol of profound love, while in Munjuru it represents innocent affection.
Kamuro – Ryukyuan-style hair arrangement
This is the distinctive hair style worn by performers of classical onna odori (women''s dances). An artificial flower is placed at the centre in front of the chignon. Each side is decorated with stiff tassels (noshi and basara). A long purple headband (nagasaji) is placed between the hair and the forehead and trails down the dancer's back.
Kamuro – Ryukyuan-style hair arrangement
This is the distinctive hair style worn by performers of classical onna odori (women''s dances). An artificial flower is placed at the centre in front of the chignon. Each side is decorated with stiff tassels (noshi and basara). A long purple headband (nagasaji) is placed between the hair and the forehead and trails down the dancer's back.
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Special Events
Performances
Collaborations
Our Community Partners
Hawai‘i Okinawan Community
Hawai‘i United Okinawan Association
Hawai‘i Japanese Community
Japanese Cultural Center of of Hawai‘i
More resources
The Okinawan Times: A Newspaper publication (also available in Japanese)
Ryukyu Shimpo: A Newspaper publication (also available in Japanese)
Okinawa Prefecture: International site produced by the local prefecture