赤犬å Akainko. Akainko was a well-renowned traveling singer who lived during the reign of King ShÅ Shin (1477-1527). Born on the
湛水親方 Tansui UwÄ“kata (1623-1683). Tansui UwÄ“kata, known also as KÅchi KenchÅ«, is often referred to as the “father of classical music†because he is credited with formalizing uta-sanshin music into a serious art form in the royal court. All subsequent styles of classical uta-sanshin music find their roots in his style. Tansui is also credited with composing the musical pieces “Tsikuten Bushi”, “Janna Bushi”, “Shuyi Bushi”, “Shudun Bushi”, “Akatsichi Bushi”, and “Hai Tsikuten Bushi,” which are all still played in varying forms today. Though only a few songs survived, his original style is today preserved as Tansui RyÅ«.
屋嘉比æœå¥‡ Yakabi ChÅki (1716-1775). Yakabi ChÅki was a student of Terukina Mongaku and inherited the music style created by Tansui UwÄ“kata four generations earlier. Trained in Noh, Yakabi introduced elements of this Japanese art into uta-sanshin music. He is most noted for leaving behind a collection of 117 sanshin transcriptions—the oldest known sanshin scores in existence today. These scores would serve as the basis for later transcriptions, including the ones used by all uta-sanshin players today. Yakabi is also known for composing the songs “Nubui Kuduchi†and “Kudai Kuduchi.â€
安富祖æ£å…ƒ Afuso Seigen (1785-1865). One of the two dominant styles of Okinawan classical music, Afuso RyÅ«, is based on the music style of Afuso Seigen. Afuso studied under Chinen SekkÅ alongside Nomura AnchÅ and is said to have retained his master’s style. One of Afuso’s most noted works is the “KadÅ YÅhÅâ€, a primer on the proper conduct and performance of a classical musician.
野æ‘安趙 Nomura AnchÅ (1805-1871). Nomura AnchÅ was a student of Chinen SekkÅ alongside Afuso Seigen and ÅŒnaga Peichin. He served as musical director at the investiture ceremony for the last RyÅ«kyÅ« king, ShÅ Tai. Under the king’s orders, Nomura worked with his students Matsumura Shinshin and Yamauchi Seiki to compile and edit song scores which would later become the basis for the Nomura RyÅ« scores. While former scores were written freehand, Nomura introduced a system of blocks to clearly demarcate the rhythm. This is the format that is universal to all sanshin scores today. Nomura also revolutionized classical music by introducing a singing style that was simpler and more natural than the predominant style at the time. Today, Nomura RyÅ« is the largest
伊ä½å·ä¸–瑞 Isagawa Seizui (1872-1937). Isagawa Seizui inherited the musical style of Nomura through Kuwae RyÅshin. In 1924, Isagawa founded the Nomura RyÅ« Ongaku KyÅ Kai (“The Association for the Nomura Style of Musicâ€) and became its first president. The association has since grown to be the largest Okinawan classical music organization in the world with branches in Hawai‘i and the