Folk Music of the Amami Islands

This disc presents the distinctive folk music of the Amami Archipelego in Japan. Amami dialects, folktales, and traditions, although recognizable to someone familiar with Japanese culture, reflect the islands’ historical separation. Folk Songs of the Amami Islands presents several individual vocal performances accompanied by the jyabisen, a three-stringed plucked lute. Along with songs recounting various folktales and customs, there are also lullabies and children’s songs sung unaccompanied by some performers.

Track Listing

101	Waka Rōsho	Kōgi Fukushima	03:32
102	Shigin	Kōgi Fukushima	01:38
103	Asabana Hayari Bushi	Kōgi Fukushima and Eikichi Kazari	01:42
104	Shumichi Nagahama	Kōgi Fukushima	03:29
105	Ima nu Kazekumo	Kōgi Fukushima and Eikichi Kazari	02:07
106	Mochi Morai Uta	Mayor Kaseda with three women and jyabisen accompaniment	03:08
107	Yerabu Yuri no Hana	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	01:52
108	Shima Sodachi	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	02:12
109	Rankan Bashi Bushi	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	01:57
110	Two Children’s Songs	Eikichi Kazari	00:45
111	Ito Kuri Bushi	Eikichi Kazari	01:27
112	Ichikya Bushi	Yoshi Sakae accompanied by Yekimitsu Takeda	02:02
113	Yerabu Nagkumo Bushi	Yoshi Sakae accompanied by Yekimitsu Takeda	02:07
114	Umi no Sasakusa	Yekimitsu Takeda	01:10
115	Bon Odori	S. Nishiyama	02:12
116	Bo Odori	Group of Nesebu dancers	01:01
117	Hachigatsu Odori	Group of Nesebu dancers	05:37
118	Te Odori	Group of Nesebu dancers and musicians	03:45