Tokyo hosts inaugural Tubarama folk song competition

The first Tokyo Tubarama Competition, organized by the Tokyo Yaeyama Kyoyu Rengo-kai, was held on August 16 at the Nogata Community Center in Nakano, Tokyo. The event brought together 18 participants from five Yaeyama folk song research groups across the Kanto region to compete in singing the traditional Yaeyama folk song, ‘Tubarama’.

Takashi Fujikawa won the grand prize, earning the opportunity to represent Tokyo at the 80th Anniversary Tubarama Competition in Ishigaki City. Other award recipients included Hiroshi Ashigaki, who received the excellence award, and Hiroko Yoshii, who received the encouragement award.

The competition, which marks the first time the event has been held with an audience in 16 years, aims to preserve and pass down Yaeyama's regional culture within the Tokyo metropolitan area. The program included singing competitions, traditional songs and dances, and live performances.