Song of Okinawa Prefecture

For the music of Okinawa Prefecture in general, see Okinawan music.

The "Song of Okinawa Prefecture" (Japanese: 沖縄県民の歌, Hepburn: Okinawa kenmin no uta) was adopted on May 15, 1972, upon the United States' return of Okinawa Prefecture to Japan. Its lyrics were written by local teacher Seiko Miyazato [ja], with music composed by University of the Ryukyus professor Shigeru Shiroma [ja].

Okinawa kenmin no uta

English: Song of Okinawa Prefecture
沖縄県民の歌
Prefectural song of Okinawa Prefecture
Lyrics	Seiko Miyazato [ja]
Music	Shigeru Shiroma [ja]
Adopted	May 15, 1972 (1972-05-15)
Audio sample
First 15 seconds file help

History

The U.S. militarily occupied the Ryukyu Islands after defeating Japan in the Pacific War of World War II.^[1] After diplomatic meetings in 1969, the U.S. agreed to return Okinawa Prefecture to Japan within three years.^[2] In preparation, the Japanese government held a public contest to compose an official prefectural song – the country's first – to "cultivate the Okinawan people's pride and love".^[3][4]

Music composed by Shigeru Shiroma [ja], a professor of education at the University of the Ryukyus, was chosen to accompany lyrics by Seiko Miyazato [ja], then a teacher at Nakazato Junior High School in Kumejima, Kume Island.^[4] The governor of Okinawa Prefecture announced the song's adoption through a public notice (#4) on May 15, 1972, the day the prefecture was returned to Japan.^[5] The song's instrumental is performed at the prefectural government's annual ceremony marking Okinawa Prefecture's return to Japan.^[3]

On March 18, 2012, following a public survey, the Okinawa Prefectural government designated "Tinsagu nu Hana" as "Okinawa Prefecture's favorite song".^[6] It subsequently became an official symbol of Okinawa Prefecture, making it the prefecture's second musical symbol alongside the "Song of Okinawa Prefecture".^[7][8]