Okinawan Theatre

...In addition to the sanshin, the koto, kokyu, flute, and drums are sometimes also used in ensemble, but koto music dates back to the early 18th century, when Inamine Moriatsu learned Yatsuhashi-ryu koto music from Satsuma, and unique solo pieces have also been handed down.
[Modern Theatre Arts]
After the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, samurai who had lost their stipends and were skilled in the arts gathered together and began performing dance shows in temporary enclosed theaters at Shinanbashi and Nakamo in Naha City, which led to the beginning of what is now known as Okinawan theater around 1882. At first, they mainly performed Kumiodori and Hashiodori, but to meet the tastes of the masses, they began to perform folk songs and popular songs on the sanshin, and created and performed Anguwamoi, a light-hearted dance performed by peasant girls and town girls in Basho and Kasuri robes, as well as dances depicting the appearance of prostitutes in the prosperous red-light districts of the time, and dramatic dances depicting the relationships between prostitutes and their customers, which were well received.

*Some of the terms used in relation to "Okinawa theater" are explained below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…三線に加えて箏，胡弓，笛，太鼓を合奏することもあるが，箏曲は18世紀初め，稲嶺盛淳が薩摩から八橋流箏曲を学んできたものの流れで，独特の独奏曲も伝承している。
［近代劇場芸能］
　廃藩置県令施行後，禄を失った士族のうち芸に堪能な者が集まって，那覇市中の思案橋や仲毛（なかもう）にかます囲いの芝居小屋を仮設して踊興行を始めたのがきっかけで，1882年ごろにいわゆる沖縄芝居が始まった。当初は組踊，端踊をもっぱら演じていたが，大衆の嗜好に応えるため民謡，流行歌の類を三線にのせ，芭蕉衣や絣着の百姓娘と町女が軽快に踊る姉小舞（あんぐわもうい）を創作上演したり，当時隆盛の廓の遊女の風姿を描いた踊り，遊女と客の交情を描く劇舞踊などを演じて喝采を得た。…

※「沖縄芝居」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

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