Abstract:

Hayward and Kuwahara consider a local and very traditional approach to Japanese song forms – shima uta. The authors argue that a distinct local cultural identity has been developed and maintained in a traditional way – not involving fusions and incorporation into more widely disseminated popular music styles. “Surveyed in the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, Amami traditional music looks healthy in its local context”. While it may have provided material for fusion into other styles in Japan, the local consumption is very “neo-traditional” and the style plays a critical part in local cultural heritage and identity.

Author: Philip Hayward, SUEO KUWAHARA