The Ryukyu Kingdom (琉球) was an independent kingdom that ruled over the Ryukyu Islands from 1429 until 1879. Today, it is Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost corner of Japan.
Seoul recently played host to a series of special events that shone a light on the traditions of the ancient kingdom.
On January 17 and 18, a group of Japanese performers from the Tamagusuku Chokun family, famous for re-creating traditional Ryukyuan royal dances, songs and dramas, put on a show, titled, “Ryukyu’s Wind: Okinawa’s Dance and Songs.” In the show, the group revived the traditional arts of dancing, singing and performing, all enjoyed by the Ryukuan royal family.
On January 22, meanwhile, experts in the history of the ancient kingdom, both from home and from abroad, came together to have an in-depth discussion on the kingdom’s history and traditions, as well as to give their own insights in a lecture that focused on the “History of Ryukyuan Castles: Shuri Castle,” and, “Ryukyuan Hobbies in Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868).”
Finally, on January 28, the “Glimpse Into Traditions of Okinawa” event offered a rare glimpse into the past and present of Okinawan traditional music. There were traditional songs from Ryukyuan times and then some of the region’s old folk songs that had a modern touch added to them, too.
“The variety of performances and lectures that spotlight the essence of Okinawa’s traditions were able to culturally bring together the two countries [Korea and Japan]. Hopefully, this kind of unity will help the two countries come up with new ideas to become closer than ever in the future,” said the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea in its press release.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
jiae5853@korea.kr
Seoul recently played host to a series of special events that shone a light on the traditions of the ancient kingdom.
Performers from the Tamagusuku Chokun family present a traditional dance that was enjoyed at the Ryukyuan royal court, at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 17 and 18.
On January 17 and 18, a group of Japanese performers from the Tamagusuku Chokun family, famous for re-creating traditional Ryukyuan royal dances, songs and dramas, put on a show, titled, “Ryukyu’s Wind: Okinawa’s Dance and Songs.” In the show, the group revived the traditional arts of dancing, singing and performing, all enjoyed by the Ryukuan royal family.
On January 22, meanwhile, experts in the history of the ancient kingdom, both from home and from abroad, came together to have an in-depth discussion on the kingdom’s history and traditions, as well as to give their own insights in a lecture that focused on the “History of Ryukyuan Castles: Shuri Castle,” and, “Ryukyuan Hobbies in Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868).”
Audience members joins in the dancing on stage with performers from the Tamagusuku Chokun family who perform traditional Ryukyuan dances at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 17 and 18.
Finally, on January 28, the “Glimpse Into Traditions of Okinawa” event offered a rare glimpse into the past and present of Okinawan traditional music. There were traditional songs from Ryukyuan times and then some of the region’s old folk songs that had a modern touch added to them, too.
“The variety of performances and lectures that spotlight the essence of Okinawa’s traditions were able to culturally bring together the two countries [Korea and Japan]. Hopefully, this kind of unity will help the two countries come up with new ideas to become closer than ever in the future,” said the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea in its press release.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
jiae5853@korea.kr
Most popular
- 2 Egyptian sisters reflect on 10 years as Honorary Reporters
- Actor Bae Doona's first romcom in decade to hit theaters in May
- Korea Welcome Week for foreign tourists set from April 25-May 16
- Korea.net welcomes 2025 K-influencers, Honorary Reporters
- Mini-exhibition brings Korean culture to South London town
