Beyond the Mainland: Okinawa, Palimpsestic Geography and Octogenarian Island Idols

ABSTRACT

This article explores some features of popular music production by uncovering the palimpsestic geography of Okinawa, and in particular the octogenarian island idols of Kohama that have achieved stardom at home and outside their small island setting. As an island Other on multiple levels of separation beyond the mainland, and imagined in terms of geographic and cultural difference within archipelagic, prefectural, and national imaginaries, the assemblage of identity that embodies locality through the sonic discourse of popular music performance reveals pop simulacra on the one hand yet creative and distinct representation of island identity on the other.

KEYWORDS:

• Elderliness
• KBG84
• Kohama
• Okinawa
• Yaeyama

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. The main smaller archipelagic groupings are Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama.

2. For Japan band names, I use established Romanized names when they are available.

3. Kohama Island’s closest mainland is actually Iriomote Island, although Ishigaki is more populous and at the center of Yaeyama cultural activity.

4. The second song on the album, “Tsuru wa chitose kame wa man’nen bāchan hyakuhatachi made” (“The crane lives one thousand years, the turtle 10,000 years, and grandmas to 120 years”), has lyrics by Tsuchida and the Choir and music by the Bermuda Triangle Band. It includes very similar tropes to the first song on the single.

5. The group’s producer, Tsuchida, has more songs for the group, but there are at present no immediate plans for a recording (Tsuchida).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Henry Johnson

Henry Johnson is Professor of Music and Associate Director of the Center for Global Migrations at the University of Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand. He has published widely in the fields of heritage, performance, diaspora, and island studies.