Okinawa’s music finds strength in its roots

Arts

Japanese island melodies reflect a culture deeply tied to place

Recording artist Kanako Horiuchi, right, performs a lively set at Usagi, a music club and eatery on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa prefecture. (Photo by Stephen Mansfield)

STEPHEN MANSFIELD

November 8, 2025 08:23 JST

NAHA, Japan — Guessing the provenance of music and musicians can sometimes be surprisingly easy. The vocal delivery of Christy Moore or Mary Coughlan could come only from Ireland, while the spiraling, caravanserai-like guitar notations of Ali Farka Toure and Djelimady Tounkara unequivocally proclaim Mali as their origin.