Born: Honolulu, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Okinawan Music - Master

"Oh yes, there is no end to it. If you think you already reached the top, you’re finished. You think that you’ve got ‘em already...but still you don’t get it. You have to go and go some more...every day I’m learning too!"

Much of the music, dance, and singing in Okinawa began hundreds of years ago. This early period of Okinawan history reflected the many cross cultural influences of the time. There were many influences on Okinawan arts from China, Japan, and Korea. The courtly music, called koten, is played slowly and beautifully. The Okinawan people also enjoy watching dancers slowly moving to the koten music. Koten music evolved for the royal families and is considered the classical music of Okinawa.