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What is Okinawa Shibai (Okinawan Play)?
Classification according to Emotional Content
Classification according to Scenes
Classification according to Styles
Classification according to Historical Background
Classification according to Local Background
Classification according to Performers
The Archives of Performances
The History of Okinawan Plays
The Modern Entertainment Play in Okinawa (Okinawa shibai)

Classification according to Historical Background
The Present Day

Description
In 1980, a major theater Okiei Engeki closed. Consequently, Okinawan plays could not do much business. Since Otohime Gekidan also stopped the activity in 2002, few of theatrical companies originated in Showa period have remained now. The Okinawa Actors' Association (with as many as 200 members) makes effort to maintain local performances by having some joint exhibitions. However taking a chance that Ryukyu kageki was designated as one of intangible cultural assets of Okinawa prefecture in 1989, Okinawan dialect started to attract more people and new challenges for activation of Okinawan stage performances began. Recently a movement to earn place of kageki, one of, the cultural assets of Okinawa, in history arose spontaneously.

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A typical type of Okinawan play
Untama Giru and Andakwe Booja Untama Giru and Andakwe Booja A Pine Tree on the Hill A Pine Tree on the Hill Tootoomee Banzai Tootoomee Banzai
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