Folk Music of the Amami Islands, Japan

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 (Flower of the morning)	Kōgi Fukushima and Eikichi Kazari	01:42
104	Shumichi Nagahama	Kōgi Fukushima	03:29
105	Ima nu Kazekumo (Now the driven clouds)	Kōgi Fukushima and Eikichi Kazari	02:07
106	Mochi Morai Uta (Song for requesting Mochi)	Mayor Kaseda with three women and jyabisen accompaniment	03:08
107	Yerabu Yuri no Hana (Lilies of Yerabu)	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	01:52
108	Shima Sodachi (Island nurture)	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	02:12
109	Rankan Bashi Bushi (Song of the bridge with the railing)	Umeno Tajima accompanied by Eikichi Kazari	01:57
110	Two children's songs	Eikichi Kazari	00:45
111	Ito Kuri Bushi (Broken thread)	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 (Staff dance)	Group of Nesebu dancers	01:01
117	Hachigatsu Odori (August dances)	Group of Nesebu dancers	05:37
118	Te Odori (Hand dances)	Group of Nesebu dancers and musicians	03:45