Ryukyuan Dance Odori Kuwadeisa

Dances of the Noro (priestesses), where hands are squirmed and bodies waved. Although dances to pray for the prosperity of the five crops and longevity resemble very old customs of the islands, their traces still remain in each place. In the old songbook of the "Omorosoushi," a collection of ancient Ryukyuan ballads, there are words, such as "Koneri" and "Nayori," which express the moves in a dance. Koneri is for squirming the hands and Nayori for moving the body in a supple manner. These moves show that the characteristics of ritual dances in Shinto and festivals under old customs are indeed the models for Ryukyuan dance. This is because Ryukyuan dances that became performing arts basically are accompanied by such moves. Sanshin music supports this Ryukyuan dance from the inside. Since Sanshin music is said to express the soul of Okinawan people, no matter how beautiful a dance is, without Uta Sanshin it lacks the essence of Ryukyuan dance. In other words, Sanshin music deepened its attractiveness by joining with dance.
For your reference, Ryukyuan dance is called and distinguished as "Koten Buyo," created during the dynasty times, "Zo Odori," born after the Meiji era, and "Sosaku Buyo," dances created after the war.

Sound Odori Kuwadeisa/ Tokutaro Shiroma 5'12"