•Folk Performing Arts

Okinawa is a treasure house of folk performing arts. Throughout the year a myriad of festivals and events are held. Folk performing arts are presented at many of these. In particular, they are performed at village fertility and harvest festivals. The styles and number of these performing arts are abundant. The people of Okinawa enjoy performing arts, carry a deep affection for them, and can be said to have a great sense for them.
Among the folk dances performed on the Okinawa Islands is the Shiishimai, or Chinese Lion-Dog Dance. The face of the lion-dog is carved from deigo (Indian Coral Bean) wood. The two dancers who make up the front and back legs of the shiisi are completely costumed in banana cloth fiber like a stuffed toy. Eisa is a dance performed on the last evening of the Bon Festival (Buddhist All Soul’s Day), which starts on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. This dance is often performed in groups comprised of dozens of young men and women; however, solo performances by both men and women are also presented. The Bojutsu -- fighting stick dance -- is performed by young men. Young men form groups of two or three, carrying their .9 meter and 1.8 meter sticks, naginata halberds, and other weapons. They perform energetic mock battles to the accompaniment of gongs, taiko drums, and conch shell horns. Fenushima is one of the Bojutsu dances. Groups comprised of a number of persons are costumed in flax fiber headdresses and perform by jumping about and striking out with .9 meter and 1.8 meter sticks, shouting out in excited vocalizations, the lyrical meanings of which are obscure. The Usudeku is a dance performed by groups of 20 or 30 women that form a ring and sing out while beating on drums. The hand movements that formed the foundation of Classical Dance, such as worshipping hands, pushing hands, and kneading hands can be seen in Usudeku. Dances such as Tafaku and Tojingyoretsu were transmitted from China. The Chondara dances received the influence of mainland Japanese Banzaigei comic variety entertainment.
On the Miyako Islands, there is a group dance called Kuicha. The term kuicha refers to songs sung with the harmony of voices from a large group of people. This dance is performed to ensure a bountiful harvest, to pray for rain, at housewarming parties and banquets. Kuicha is performed by groups of men, groups of women and groups composed of both men and women. In whatever form it is danced, a circle of dancers is formed and with half the group alternating singing duties, they clap hands and stamp their feet or wave their hands over their heads, dancing exuberantly with their whole bodies. Other dances include Shiishima (Chinese Lion-dog Dance) and Bojutsu (Fighting Stick Dance).
On the Yaeyama Islands, the dances also include Shiishimai (Lion-dog Dance) and Bojutsu (Fighting Stick Dance). In addition there are the Bon Angama (dance to dispel malevolence) and Setsuangama (seasonal dances). There are also the Maki Odori, dances performed by a large number of persons. The Miroku Buddha Odori dances can be seen performed in a number of localities throughout the Okinawa Islands, but regionally speaking are overwhelmingly evident in the Yaeyama island group. Dances are performed at the Honen Harvest Festival, the Ketsugansai Festival, Setsusai Festival and the Tanedorisai Seeding Festival. The performer wearing the Miroku Buddha mask brings young children and women onto the stage. The Miroku Buddha is revered as the god of farming who brings abundant grain harvests and it is thought that a visit by the Miroku to the island will bring along prosperity. An abundant life blessed with good harvests of crops and grain is called "Mirukuyu" or "Miruku Buddha’s world" and “Mirukuyugafu”-- Miruku Buddha’s good fortune.