1.5 hour private experience
Location: Tomigusuku, Okinawa
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
A professionally trained performer of Ryukyu classical music, including not only the Ryukyu flute but also Uta-Sanshin singing accompaniment, Chihiro's passion for Okinawan music is palpable. Beyond her musical background, she is also a skilled lacquerware artisan, working alongside a National Living Treasure to create artfully crafted Ryukyu flutes.
What you’ll do
Visit the lacquer workshop of a professional Ryukyu flute musician, where lacquer coating is carefully applied to flutes carved by a National Living Treasure. Learn about the history of the Ryukyu bamboo flute and try your hand at playing this indigenous instrument, guided by the musician herself. Then, finish with a live performance of the flute, performed right before your eyes.
Availability
Everyday except for Mondays
Session 1 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:00)
Session 3 (15:00 - 16:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 12+ years old.
Access
20min from Naha Airport by car.
Euphonious Okinawa
The Ryukyu bamboo flute is the consummate accompaniment to the songs of Okinawa. Though slender and simple in structure, the instrument is capable of powerful tones that embellish the harmonies of Okinawa folk song and classical Ryukyu melodies. The natural counterpoint to the sanshin, Okinawa's three-stringed lute, the distinct musical heritage of Okinawa lives on in the sound of this mellifluous flute. Only a select few artisans carry on the legacy of crafting this indigenous instrument: join one such craftsperson, a professional musician and lacquerware artist, in seeing how the Ryukyu flute is sustained for future generations. Each bamboo base is carefully handcrafted by a National Living Treasure before being passed on for the essential lacquering, a process aptly suited for Okinawa's humid environment. These finalized flutes are favored not only by musical disciples but also by major institutions like the National Theater of Okinawa and the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, setting the standard for Okinawa's native sound for ages to come.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.