Songs
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- country:Japan
- label:Lagoon Music Entertainment
- type:Band, Solo
- gender:male
- instrumentation:vocal, string, singer songwriter, guitar
- artist posted by:Music from Miyakojima - Okinawa
Links
Islander Artist
After graduating from high school in 1977, Satoru moved to Tokyo where he spent 15 years as a musician. However, he felt a keen sense of cultural crisis with his island home of Miyakojima. Traditional culture was dwindling. In 1992 he returned to Miyakojima to help revitalise its culture.
After returning to Miyakojima, he released Taiyou no uta (Song of the Sun) which is used as the theme song by the NHK programme 'Minnano Uta'. He also released the album Otori and Kaze no Ayagu (Song of the Wind), in collaboration with Toshiki Kadomatsu. The track Kunnnu-Shoo from his album Sketch of Myahk was featured in the compilation album Anywhere on this Road produced by Charlie Gillet, the respected late British radio presenter and author.
Since returning to Miyakojima, he has created over 70 singles/albums including recordings he has produced for several local artists. In 2012, to commemorate 20 years of his involvement with Miyakojima's music, Satoru released a new album Myahk, containing songs for Miyakojima for the 21st century. This album features many outstanding musicians including Philippe Saisse, acclaimed Japanese pop singer/songwriter Nokko, as well as other well-known Okinawan artists. Grammy awarded sound engineer/ producer Hotoda Goh helped produce the album. The album dwells not only on the present it also evokes the past and foreshadows the future; the sound depicts the light that connects heaven and earth.
In addition to his attempts to create an innovative sound derived from Okinawan music, Satoru writes poetry in the ancient language of Miyakojima.
Satoru was instrumental in launching Miyakojima's first recording studio/ satellite broadcasting studio, and a record label. In his work as a record and radio producer he focuses on promoting local Miyakojima musicians.
In 2002 he created the island's first 'Kuichaa Festival' for the purpose of perpetuating Miyakojima's arts and traditions. He is director of this festival.Satoru was awarded "11th Hometown Event Award" by the Japanese government, "Vitalization of Island Encouragement Prize" by the Okinawa prefecture and "Okinawa Cultural Association Award" by the Okinawa Cultural Association. Satoru was appointed as the 'Ambassador of Miyakojima' a position he continues to hold and which he regards as a particular honour for his efforts to keep alive the local language and culture.