Tamagusuku Chokun was the magistrate in charge of entertainments for the most important events in the Ryukyuan Royal court, the banquets for the Chinese investiture envoys. Entertainments for these occasions were called Ukwanshin-udui or Crown Ship Dances. During his visits to Satsuma (Kyushu) and Edo (Tokyo) he absorbed influences from Noh and Kabuki in the creation of a new Okinawan performance art. And in 1719 it was debuted as Kumiodori or Okinawan opera. Tamagusuku Chokun's works include "Nido-Tekiuchi" (Revenge of the Two Boys), "Shushin Kane Iri" (Passion and the Bell), "Mekaru-shi" (Master Mekaru), "Koko no Maki" (Filial Piety), and "Onna-mono-gurui" (The Madwoman).
Photo : Melfirst Ltd.