8.　Promote Ryukyuan Cultural Renaissance

“Shushinkaneiri”, kumiodori (Okinawan musical theater)
Commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the First Performance of Kumiodori: “Shuri Castle Restoration Project Special Performance”

By trading with other Asian countries, and taking in various arts and culture, Okinawa has developed its own unique culture.
Shuri Castle was the center for royal government, diplomatic relations, and religion, and also the castle and neighboring community were the center of arts and culture.
Losing Shuri Castle once again made us reevaluate the value of Ryukyuan culture, so we will bring about a Ryukyuan Cultural Renaissance in order to increase its value for the future and promote the spirit of bankoku shinryo (bridge between nations). In order to do so, the following project will be conducted.

（１）Re-recognizing the diverse and unique Ryukyuan culture

Having a special lifestyle unique to each region, and taking in cultures from outside, the island prefecture of Okinawa has incorporated these cultures to create its own within the warm local climate.
The prefectural government intends to re-recognize the value of regional culture which is diverse and unique, along with the court culture of Shuri Castle.
The local government will also create a center to conduct academic research in order to reveal the Ryukyu culture generated in Shuri Castle and neighboring areas.

（２）Restoration of Ryukyu culture and creating new culture

Celebrating in 2019 its 300-year anniversary from its conception, the unique performing art created at Shuri Castle called kumiodori has lived through changing eras and been passed down through generations, and it is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Traditional art and culture enrich people’s lives, vitalize society, and deepen friendships with the rest of the world, which is essential for people. In addition, the karate that Okinawan people can show off to the world is said to have been developed as something for shizoku (socially privileged status) to accomplish. It also has a strong historical connection with Shuri Castle. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors with their “bridge of nations” spirit, we will create Shuri Castle as a place to produce new art and culture, and also find ways to utilize Shurijo Castle Park as a center of impressive experiences for Okinawan people.

（３）Promoting Ryukyu culture inside and outside the country

“Traditional ‘Ryukyuan cruise’, ‘awamori’ (Okinawan distilled alcoholic drink) and ‘performing arts’ that have existed all the way from the Ryukyu Kingdom era” were registered as Japan Heritage in 2019. Okinawa Prefectural Government intends to promote this fact inside and outside of the country. We will also research and promote different Okinawan culture academically at the University of the Ryukyus and universities inside and outside of the country, and establish platforms to promote it using organizations such as the Worldwide Uchinanchu Network.

（４）Developing industries using Ryukyu culture

Since traditional food culture and techniques of traditional crafts and performing arts of Okinawa are highly appraised, the prefectural government will develop industries by creating new products and developing new markets to use these traditional techniques within the present-day context.