Distant view of Shuri Castle

The castle walls of Shuri Castle
The stone pavement, reminiscent the old days, in Kinjo-cho, Shuri

The general term for the music performed mainly around the Shuri royal government during the times of the Ryukyu dynasty. It began with old songs such as "Omoro" and "Kuena," and the sanshin was added along with other accompanying instruments including the Koto, Fue, Kokyu and Taiko. Foreign music such as "Reigaku" and Noh songs and plays from mainland Japan were also performed. However, "classical Ryukyuan music" generally pertains to Sanshin music, which was created during the dynasty times. Sanshin music was played at the Sapposhi feasts for welcoming envoys from China and developed through its joining with Ryukyuan dance and Kumiodori. Ryukyuan performing arts were also demonstrated during the pilgrimages to Satsuma and Edo, and it is thought that this largely influenced the development of sanshin music.