Performers

Ryukai Jōon

Since 2009, Ryukai Jōon has trained under Miyashita Kakuei, a horagai master of the Omine mountain-ascetic tradition and the Togakushi school of horagai. Together with their teacher and on their own, they have continued to offer sound and prayer in places across Okinawa (Ryukyu), and have held many horagai practice sessions and workshops. The name "Ryukai Jōon" was born while searching, in everyday life in Okinawa, for sounds that resonate between nature and people. Through the sound of the conch shell, they continue to seek resonance with all things in the universe. In Naha, they also run "Iejima Shoku no Ie Shimabukuro" on Ryugu-dori in Makishi, serving nourishing dishes centered on Okinawan cuisine.

Shuri Kwēna Preservation Society

The Kwēna of Shuri are ancient songs that have been handed down among the women of Shuri since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1994 they were designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Naha City. Alongside songs praying for safe voyages, there are songs that describe in detail the work of building a castle and weaving cloth, and every one of them carries a heartfelt wish for the safety and happiness of the family. Behind the songs lie "onari-gami" belief, which holds that women (onari) have the spiritual power to protect the men of their family (ekeri), and the idea of "yoshuku" (pre-celebration): blessing in advance a future in which a wish has come true, so as to lead it to fulfillment. The Shuri Kwēna Preservation Society was formed in November 1989 to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the Seiden (main hall) of Shuri Castle, and works to preserve, pass on and spread the Kwēna of Shuri.

Amami Mai

Under the guidance of Hanayagi Kakujuga, a master instructor of the Hanayagi school of Japanese dance, Amami Mai expresses the radiance of all living things in harmony with the great nature of Amami, carefully layering each gesture into dance. Valuing not only beauty but life itself, and nurturing gratitude for life, the group performs at dedication ceremonies and other events in Japan and abroad. For this festival, they have created a new piece, "Bashō Kagura," based on "Bashō Nagare," a song handed down in Amami, and will present it to the people of Okinawa.

Hula Haumāna O ʻAʻaliʻi

A traditional hula school offering lessons mainly in central Okinawa. While studying Hawaiian traditional culture, the group values "prayer," the original essence of hula.

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Amamu

Singing the sparkle of nature in ryūka, the classical verse of Ryukyu. Drawn by Okinawa's traditional festivals, Amamu moved to Okinawa and has served as a jikata (singer and sanshin player) for the Kijoka village festival, the Ogimi Eisa, the Ōjima Eisa and the Tamagusuku lion dance. Now in a 16th year as jikata for the kumiodori (Ryukyuan musical drama) of the Kudeken Nūbarē festival. For 20 years, Amamu has also run Shisa Studio Amamu on the approach to Sēfa-utaki.

Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko

Founded in 1982 by young people centered in Awase, Okinawa City, the group has drummed out the spirit of "geion" (welcoming guests with gratitude) that Okinawa has long cherished. As of March 2026, it has 9 chapters in Okinawa (including Miyako and Yaeyama), 41 chapters elsewhere in Japan and 32 chapters in 10 countries overseas, with about 2,500 members worldwide. Performing not only at events in Okinawa but throughout Japan and abroad, all members work together to carry Okinawan culture to the world and create new moments of inspiration.

KUNIKO

KUNIKO started out as a DJ in Tokyo, then returned to Okinawa, the land of the artist’s roots, to study Ryukyuan classical music, Okinawan folk songs, Shuri Kwēna and island-rooted uta-sanshin (song and sanshin). Under the theme "inheritance and creation," KUNIKO pursues an original style that presents folk songs from a contemporary perspective with Bigknot Records. 2024: First EP, "Identity." 2025: Formed the band RYUKYU SOUND. 2026: First album, "Confortablues," released on Bigknot Records.

Ryujin Densetsu

Ryujin Densetsu ("Dragon God Legend") revives the powerful dragon-god dance rooted in ancient Ryukyuan lore as a new form of Ryukyuan performing art. Weaving together lion dance, drums and flag dance, the group performs widely in Okinawa, across Japan and overseas.

Claudia Oshiro

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Claudia Oshiro began entering singing contests in Argentina's Japanese community at the age of five and won many of them. In 2001, while taking part in the recording of Alfredo Casero's "Shimauta" in Argentina, Claudia met Kazufumi Miyazawa. Based in Japan since 2003, Claudia made a solo debut in 2007 and has since released many albums of pop and Okinawan folk songs. In 2022, marking the 15th anniversary of that debut, Claudia released the commemorative single 『我島沖縄・新世ぬはじまい』 on October 5.

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Kazufumi Miyazawa

Born in 1966 in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Kazufumi Miyazawa debuted in 1989 as the vocalist of THE BOOM and has been active as a solo artist since the band broke up in 2014. As a songwriter, Miyazawa has provided lyrics and music to many artists, including Kousuke Atari, Sayuri Ishikawa, Claudia Oshiro, Minami Kizuki, Shoukichi Kina, KinKi Kids, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Rimi Natsukawa, Ayaka Hirahara and Akiko Yano. Marking 35 years since the professional debut in 2024, Miyazawa released a new album, and since 2025 has been holding the "Anata no Machi de Utaimasu" ("I'll Sing in Your Town") concert series. Miyazawa currently teaches as a part-time lecturer at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts.

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