Program Series: “Ancient Soundscapes: New Echoes from Japan’s Musical Past”

Talk Title: FABRICATING SELF-IMAGE THROUGH MUSIC: THE RYUKYU KINGDOM’S ARTISTIC STRATEGY IN HER RELATIONSHIP WITH JAPAN AND CHINA

NAOKO TERAUCHI (Kobe University, and Visiting Professor of Music, Columbia University, and 2006-7 Envoy, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan)

TIME AND LOCATION:
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007
6-7:30 PM
Kent Hall, Columbia University
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 116 TH STREET & AMSTERDAM AVENUE
116th and Amsterdam Ave., NY NY

SUMMARY: Historically, the Ryukyu Kingdom, also known as Okinawa, maintained close relations with both China and Japan. By absorbing, blending, and elaborating upon various cultural elements from both countries, Ryukyu developed several different types of music, dance, and theater. This lecture will address how, in response to the expectations of China and Japan, the Ryukyuan people tried to fabricate self-image through their performing arts as well as how they carefully selected these performances in accordance with time, place, and occasion.