Ajukeskusesse

Ajukeskusesse is a traditional Okinawan folk song style from the Ryukyu Kingdom, which once existed on the Ryukyu Islands in what is now southern Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom was a tributary state to both China and Japan, and the Ryukyuan people developed a distinct culture that blended elements from both of its overlord cultures.

The ajukeskusesse style is characterized by a unique vocal delivery that includes free vocalization and surrounding flute accompaniment. The lyrics often tell stories about love, nature, and everyday life. This folk song style is generally known to be an expression of the simple life and nature of the people living in Okinawa. The word "ajukeskusesse" is a part of the Okinawan dialect, with the word "ajuku" translating to "narrow hill" and "sekusesse" meaning "manner of speaking" or "style of singing".

Ajukeskusesse is one of the oldest forms of Okinawan traditional music and a significant part of the Ryukyu people's cultural heritage. Its performance involves a single singer singing freely while playing a flute accompaniment. The absence of a percussion instrument allows the melody to develop freely without any fixed rhythm.

It is reported that ajukeskusesse was traditionally sung during everyday activities or as a form of private entertainment for the royal court during the Ryukyu period. In the present day, ajukeskusesse is played and sung as a way to reminisce about the past, with many famous Okinawan musicians focusing on preserving and sharing traditional music styles such as ajukeskusesse with contemporary audiences. This performance was integral to capturing and transcripting the music history of Okinawa.