Please note that these are not OAA-hosted or -sponsored events (unless otherwise noted). We are compiling this event information to make it easier for our members and supporters to access these wonderful presentations and performances.
LIST UPDATED OCTOBER 27, 2021
A lot has happened in the past couple months and we hope that everybody is staying well and practicing physical distancing. We’ve put together a list of concerts, talks, short films, and more to enjoy during this quarantine period – all online and all FREE to watch!
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more frequent updates.
CATEGORIES:
UPCOMING ***UPDATED 10/27***
Save the date for these live virtual events
Added: 2021 World Uchinaanchu Day Virtual Events!
ONLINE PERFORMANCES & TALKS
A list of recordings from past virtual events around the world
SHORT FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
Short films and documentaries focusing on Okinawa
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
Okinawan channels that frequently upload videos
PODCASTS ***UPDATED 10/27***
WORLD UCHINAANCHU DAY 2020
Virtual events around the world
UPCOMING
***NEW*** VIRTUAL WORLD UCHINAANCHU/SHIMANCHU DAY EVENTS:
- OCTOBER 29, 2021
#UCHINA1000 Global Uchinaanchu Gathering via Zoom
Hosted by the Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Network (WUB)
6 p.m. Pacific (October 30 at 10:00 Japan Time)
Edward Kuba, “The Rise of the Uchinaanchu Community in Hawai‘i”
Jon Itomura, “Pigs from the Sea” story
Join live on Zoom (Meeting ID: 854 6283 5161 / Passcode: 942493) - OCTOBER 29, 2021
Uchinaanchu no Hi: HUOA’s Year of Growth
Hosted by the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association (HUOA)
7 – 8 p.m. Hawai‘i Time / 10 – 11 p.m. Pacific
Watch Live on YouTube and Facebook - OCTOBER 30, 2021
Uchinaanchu no Hi
Hosted by Centro Okinawense en la Argentina (COA)
4 p.m. Argentina Time / 12 p.m. Pacific
Watch Live on YouTube - OCTOBER 30, 2021
Uchinaanchu no Hi Instagram Live
Performance by Southern Wave Okinawan Music and Dance Society
6:30 p.m. Pacific
Watch Live on Instagram - OCTOBER 31, 2021
Uyue Sabira – Vamos Festejar
Hosted by Associação Okinawa Kenjin do Brasil – Centro Cultural Okinawa do Brasil
2 p.m. Brazil Time / 10 a.m. Pacific
Watch Live on YouTube - OCTOBER 31, 2021
Uchinaa Engeikai 2021:
Festival Folklorico Okinawense
Hosted by Asociación Okinawense del Perú (AOP)
3 p.m. Peru Time / 1 p.m. Pacific
Watch Live on YouTube
EVERY TUESDAY:
Yuntaku Live! (talks and performances by Uchinaanchu in Hawai‘i)
Hosted by Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA)
10 p.m. Pacific Time / 7 p.m. Hawai‘i / 1:00 a.m. Eastern
Watch on HUOA’s Facebook Page
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
RECURRING:
Umanchu Suruti Online (lectures and discussions about Okinawan culture, history, and identity)
Hosted by Ukwanshin Kabudan in Hawai‘i
Email events@ukwanshinkabudan.org or visit their Facebook page for the presentation dates and links
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
RECURRING:
Online Shimakutuba Gakumun Kai (Okinawan language class)
Hosted by Ukwanshin Kabudan in Hawai‘i
Taught by Brandon Ing
Email events@ukwanshinkabudan.org or visit their Facebook page for the presentation dates and links
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
ONLINE PERFORMANCES & TALKS
Akamaami (あかまーみ) – Live performances on YouTube
- February 12, 2021 – 島唄んnight (2 hr 21 min)
- January 24, 2021 (1 hr)
- November 14 – Warabi-Uta (Children’s Songs) (1 hr)
BEGIN (ビギン)
- EACH VIDEO IS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME! Please subscribe to Begin’s YouTube channel and Facebook page to be notified of new concert recordings.
Eisaa Museum
- Talk (Japanese) – Spreading Eisaa Across the World
エイサー大学第5回目「世界に広がるエイサー」
Yoriko Ganeko – Live performances on Facebook (Bi-Weekly)
GINYU: A musical about Okinawan immigration to Peru (2 hr)
Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival
- The Value of Hawai‘i 3: Hulihia, the Turning
Featuring an uta-sanshin performance by Norman Kaneshiro (who contributes a chapter titled “Nuchi-gusui: Sustenance and Nourishment for Living” to the book which is available to download here).
Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association (HUOA)’s Virtual Okinawan Festival
- Day 1 of 2 (4.5 hours)
- Day 2 of 2 (4.5 hours)
- Watch individual festival segments
- Special full performances
Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA)’s Yuntaku Live!
- Please visit the HUOA’s YouTube channel and Facebook to watch newer episodes!
- Ep. 16 – Day in the Life of Yuntaku (Learn about the hosts, meet HUOA staff, and more!)
- Ep. 15 – Alison Arakawa (Singer)
- Ep. 14 – Tom Yamamoto (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii and Na Kamalii O ‘Iliahi)
- Ep. 13 – Norman Kaneshiro (Nomura-ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu and Ukwanshin Kabudan)
- Ep. 12 – Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi No Kai Nakasone Dance Academy
- Ep. 11 – Lisa Tamashiro & Chinagu Eisa Hawaii
- Ep. 10 – June Uyeunten Nakama (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep. 9 – Dazz Toguchi (Azama Honryu Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 8 – Allison Yanagi (Azama Honryu Allison Yanagi Ryubu Kenkyu Sho and Nomura Ryu Dentou Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 7 – Frances Nakachi Kuba & Senjukai Hawaii (Tamagusuku Ryu Senjukai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo)
- Ep. 6 – Keith Nakaganeku (Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 5 – Grant “Masanduu” Murata (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep 4 – Jodie Ching (Author and Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep 3 – Jon Itomura & Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts
- Ep 2 – Brandon Ing (Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi and Ukwanshin Kabudan)
- Ep 1 – Kenton Odo (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
Kenji Igei (伊芸研治) in Peru
Irei no Hi (Battle of Okinawa Remembrance) Presentations
- Reflections: Irei no Hi – Commemorating the Okinawan Memorial Day in Hawaii (2 hr 4 min)
- Shaping Okinawan Identity and Community in Hawai‘i During World War II
Kariyushi 58 (かりゆし58)
- 7 full-length concerts from 2009 – 2014 (approx. 2 hrs each)
- “Bandwagon Show” new album promotional video (36 min)
Kuruchi no Mori is a long-term project to plant and grow ebony trees (“kuruchi” in Uchinaaguchi) in Okinawa. Kuruchi wood is used for the necks and tuning pegs of the best, top-quality sanshin instruments. It takes OVER 100 YEARS for one kuruchi tree to grow large enough to make a sanshin (and it takes an additional 50 years or so for the wood to dry out and harden).
Mako (of Mako and Munjuru) in Washington State
- Live video stream from May 21 (35 min)
Okinawa Americana – Live performances on Facebook
- Please visit the band’s Facebook for newer performances!
- Volume 19
- Volume 18
- Volume 17 (special guests Rich Mahan & Kanako Horiuchi)
- Volume 16
- Volume 15
- Volume 8 – May 16
- Volume 7 – May 9
- Volume 6 – May 2
- Volume 5 – April 26
- Volume 4 – April 11
- Volume 3 – March 29
- Volume 2 – March 21
Okinawa Karate Demonstrations for Shuri Castle Reconstruction
Featuring demonstrations by the award winners of The 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament.
Okinawa Karate Online Symposium
Hosted by the Committee for the Okinawa Karate UNESCO Listing
- English version (2 hr 4 min)
- Japanese version (2 hr 4 min)
Rinken Band – Live stream performances
- January 9, 2021 (1 hr 42 min)
- June 29 (1 hr) + Encore (19 min)
- April 11 (47 min)
Sanshin no Hi / Sanshin Day 2021 – RBC Radio Livestream Concerts
Jake Shimabukuro – Live performances on Facebook
- May 1 (1 hr 19 min)
- April 24 (1 hr 5 min)
- April 17 (1 hr 10 min)
- April 10 (44 min)
- March 25 (30 min)
Tadaima! A Community Virtual Pilgrimage
This virtual series organized by Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages had several amazing events, but we will be highlighting ones that featured Uchinaanchu moderators, presenters, performers, etc. (please let us know if we missed any). Click here to check out all 9 weeks worth of programs!
- Alaska Native Memories of the Japanese American Incarceration (moderated by community organizer Shō Tanaka)
- Artist Talk with Emily Momohara (artist, photographer, and educator)
- Closing Ceremony (co-hosted by actor Tamlyn Tomita)
- Garage Door Opener – A Play by Soji Kashiwagi (featuring actor Kurt Kuniyoshi)
- In Search of Incarcerated Okinawans: A Conversation on Decolonizing Japanese America (presentations/performances by Joseph Kamiya, Ann Tamaki Dion, Shō Tanaka, Jane H. Yamashiro; OAA was a community supporter)
- Sunday Supper – Sweet & Sour Spareribs (presented by father-daughter duo Warren and Danielle Higa)
Ayano Uema (上間綾乃) – Live stream performances
- July 22 (30 min)
- June 23 – Special Irei no Hi Performance (30 min)
- June 4 (20 min)
- April 29 (34 min)
Yanawarabaa (やなわらばー) – Live stream performances
- April 10 (1 hr)
- March 25 (1 hr 20 min)
- February 19 (1 hr 9 min)
- Click here for more
SHORT FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
Filmdoo has a series of short films (drama and comedy) from Okinawa with English subtitles. “Authentic tales of people young and old, searching for a fresh adventure and new beginnings, all with one thing in common – they all take place on the exquisite island of Okinawa.”
NHK World has a selection of their short documentaries and news segments available to view online. Check out their Focus on Okinawa playlist or search “Okinawa”.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
Eisaa Museum (エイサー会館) has a variety of eisaa videos including full-length performances!
Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) is uploading the full recordings of their weekly Yuntaku Live presentations including talks/performances by Kenton Odo (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii), Brandon Ing (Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi), and more!
Nanaironote is an Okinawa-based group of young musicians who arrange and perform cover songs, sometimes incorporating sanshin and Uchinaaguchi lyrics!
Okinawa Matsuri in Tokyo (沖縄まつりin 代々木公園) has video clips and full-length performances from their 2019 concert featuring Tōru Yonaha (よなは徹), Ayano Uema (上間綾乃), Ii Dushi (いーどぅし), and more!
Rinken Band’s Real Music Dormitory channel features recent live stream performances from Rinken Band protégé group, tinktink (ティンクティンク), as well as music clips and a web series called “Rinken Band Atchaa Atchaa” which follows Rinken Teruya (照屋林賢) to various spots in Okinawa!
Ryūkyū Minyō Kyōkai – Filial do Brasil (Brasil Branch) has been hosting livestream performances regularly and uploads both the full recordings and individual songs for your enjoyment. (Note: Recordings are in Portuguese)
Sanshin Craftsmens Business Cooperative Association of Okinawa (沖縄県三線製作事業協同組合) started the #SanshinYuimaru #StayHomeSanshin campaign with professional and up-and-coming musicians contributing videos! There are also sanshin musicians across the world doing the same and you can find their videos on social media platforms by searching for #SanshinYuimaru and #StayHomeSanshin.
Urizun, an organization of young Okinawans in Brazil, hosts recurring live stream presentations and recordings can be viewed on their YouTube channel! (Note: Recordings are in Portuguese)
Yuna & Tida are a talented local duo who perform Okinawan folk songs!
PODCASTS
“Everywhere Okinawanness” episode from The Big Root – During his vacation from New York to Southern California, Toshiki stops by Okinawa Association of America (OAA), a nonprofit corporation based in Gardena that serves the Okinawan community in the Los Angeles area. A central theme throughout this episode was about reconciling Okinawan culture and mainland Japanese culture, and Susan reflects on her identity, commenting that she doesn’t distinguish being either Okinawan or Japanese. She’s both Okinawan and Japanese.
***NEW*** Ichariba Choodee Podcast – Okinawan. Ryukyuan. Loochoo. There are many more names for the peoples of these islands. Hear the many voices and stories of those identifying as Shimanchu (or Uchinanchu). Celebrating and preserving our culture, connecting the diaspora, and both proudly and humbly educating and learning along the way. Hosted monthly by Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, and Tori.
Loochoo nu Kwa – Discussions on Okinawa/Loochoo identity, culture, history and language connected with the journey to normalize identity and connect with other native/indigenous peoples who share similar stories.
WORLD UCHINAANCHU / SHIMANCHU DAY 2020
OKINAWA – Hosted by the Okinawa Prefectural Government
Event is mostly in Japanese with English/Spanish/Portuguese subtitles during some of the segments and includes a message from Governor Denny Tamaki.
ARGENTINA – Hosted by the Okiryūkai (沖留会)
Event is in Spanish without subtitles
Event is in Portuguese, Japanese, AND English
- Minyō Live Especial (Live Folk Music Special)
Performances from Brasil, Okinawa, and Australia
ON DEMAND
(PAYMENT REQUIRED)
- Documentaries:
- Boy Soldiers: The Secret War in Okinawa (ENG subtitles)
- The Hatoma Films ()
- Katabui, in the heart of Okinawa (ENG subtitles) – Filmdoo | Vimeo
- The Targeted Island: A Shield Against Storms (ENG subtitles)
- We Shall Overcome (ENG subtitles)
- Fiction:
- Girl of the Sea (ENG subtitles)
- The Man Who Changed Okinawa (ENG subtitles)
- Our Past Endures (ENG subtitles)
Some content is not suitable for children. To search for more films about or set in Okinawa, please click on one of the following links: Filmdoo (search “Okinawa”) | Vimeo
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