Kyotaro of Awase

Awase no Chondara: A Living Celebration Art from Okinawa

In the Awase district of Okinawa City, on the central east coast of Okinawa's main island, a remarkable performing art has been passed down for over a century. Known as Awase no Chondara (泡瀬の京太郎), this traditional celebratory performance combines drumming, sanshin music, fan dances, and comedic dialogue to bring blessings and joy to community gatherings. Designated by the national government as an intangible folk cultural property requiring documentation and preservation measures, Awase no Chondara is one of the last surviving examples of the Chondara tradition — a form of itinerant blessing entertainment that once flourished across the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Historical Background

The Chondara (京太郎) were itinerant performers who once traveled from house to house across Okinawa, performing celebratory arts, Buddhist chants, and puppet plays. Historical records from the early 18th century compiled by the Ryukyu Kingdom note that the origin of the name is uncertain — it may derive from a person from Kyoto who taught the art, or from someone named Kyotaro who created it.

During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, Chondara performers lived in a specific district on the outskirts of Shuri, the royal capital. After the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of the Ryukyu Kingdom in the late 19th century, the door-to-door form of performance gradually disappeared. However, elements of the Chondara tradition were absorbed into theatrical performances in Naha.

In 1906 (Meiji 39), young men from the Awase community, led by Kyan Morihiro, learned the Chondara performance from an actor named Taree from Sunuga (Sungaa) Theater and performed it for the first time at a local celebration when a new community palanquin (gan) was completed. This marked the beginning of Awase no Chondara as a distinct local tradition. In 1958, the Awase Kyotaro Preservation Society was formally established to ensure the art's continuity.

Why It Was Designated as a Cultural Property

Awase no Chondara was selected on February 6, 2005, as a national-level intangible folk cultural property requiring documentation and preservation measures. The designation recognizes its significance as one of the few remaining examples of the Chondara celebratory performing arts that were once widespread throughout Okinawa. The performance preserves the form, repertoire, and spirit of a tradition that has otherwise largely vanished, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the folk performing arts and social customs of the Ryukyu Kingdom and its aftermath.

The art was also designated as an Okinawa City intangible cultural property in 1979 and as an Okinawa Prefecture intangible folk cultural property in 1980, reflecting its recognized cultural importance at every level of government.

The Performance: Repertoire and Highlights

Awase no Chondara is performed at various events and celebrations in the Awase district and across Okinawa City. The ensemble consists of a single drummer who carries a vertical drum strapped to the chest and strikes it with two sticks, two horse dancers (uma-meesaa) who wear horse-head props at their waists and hold reins, approximately ten dancers wearing jingasa (military-style hats), and sanshin players who sing while accompanying the performance.

The repertoire comprises five distinct pieces:

• Hayakuduchi (Early Recitation) — The opening processional piece. Performers enter in a parade-like procession as the sanshin players sing verses that the dancers then repeat in call-and-response fashion. The lyrics include the phrase "dressed in Kyotaro style," affirming the performers' identity as Chondara artists.
• Sensu no Mai (Fan Dance) — The drummer sings while the dancers hold fans in their right hands and perform a celebratory dance with rhythmic chanting. The lyrics contain blessings such as "celebratory manzai (ten thousand years of prosperity)."
• Uchijou (The Fief) — Another dance led by the drummer's singing, with dancers holding their jingasa hats. The lyrics celebrate the abundance of a feudal lord's domain, singing of "a fief of ten thousand koku" and measuring the harvest's bounty.
• Uma-meesaa (Horse Dancers) — A comedic dialogue performed by two performers wearing horse-head props. They exchange lines with dramatic intonation in a style reminiscent of manzai comic dialogue, providing humor and entertainment.
• Torisashi Mai (Bird-Catching Dance) — A pantomime dance depicting the traditional practice of catching small birds using birdlime on the end of a bamboo pole. The dancer mimics throwing the sticky pole into the air to capture birds, preserving a once-common folk practice in artistic form.

Visiting Awase and Experiencing Chondara

As an intangible folk performing art, Awase no Chondara does not have a permanent venue or fixed schedule. Performances take place at community celebrations, festivals, and special events in Okinawa City. The best way to experience a live performance is to check with the Okinawa City Board of Education or local tourism offices for upcoming event schedules.

A commemorative stone monument, the "Awase Kyotaro Birthplace Monument," stands near the Awase Community Center (Awase Kominkan), marking the origin of this tradition. The monument was unveiled in March 2009 to celebrate the centennial of the performance tradition and serves as a meaningful cultural landmark for visitors interested in Okinawa's intangible heritage.

Surrounding Attractions

The Awase district and greater Okinawa City offer a wealth of experiences for visitors:

• Awase Tidal Flat (Awase Higata) — One of Okinawa's most important coastal wetlands, facing Nakagusuku Bay. The tidal flat is home to diverse marine life including crabs, shellfish, and seaweed, and attracts migratory birds. A 300-meter seawall features colorful murals painted by local schoolchildren.
• Awase Fishing Port and Payao Market — A popular seafood market and restaurant operated by the local fishing cooperative. Fresh tuna, tropical fish, and other seafood can be purchased or enjoyed on-site, including the famous fish butter-grilled set meal.
• Awase Bijul Shrine — A local shrine known as a power spot for prayers related to safe childbirth and fertility. Its compact size and peaceful atmosphere make it a pleasant stop.
• Okinawa City Music Town and Koza Area — The vibrant center of Okinawa City, known for its live music scene, Okinawan-American cultural fusion, and the famous Koza Gate Street. The area comes alive during the annual Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival, one of the largest traditional dance festivals in Okinawa.
• Southeast Botanical Gardens (Tōnan Shokubutsu Rakuen) — A large tropical botanical park featuring over 1,300 species of plants, a petting zoo, and seasonal illumination events.