The Power of Okinawa – 20th Anniversary
It’s hard to believe that the book The Power of Okinawa: Roots Music from the Ryukyus is already celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. For it was in October 2001 that the 1st edition (the pink one) was published in Japan.

The updated, expanded, and much improved 2nd edition followed nine years later, not long after I moved to Okinawa. The 2nd edition (the blue one) is still on sale in some bookstores around Okinawa and is the one to read if you can find it.
Meanwhile the Power of Okinawa blog continues to update with occasional reviews of new Okinawan releases plus some other roots music from overseas. There is also the odd ‘Notes from the Ryukyus’ rant, while the ‘Features Archive’ is the place to go for some other articles I’ve published in music magazines over the years.
Thanks to everyone who has read the book and/or followed the blog!
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October 5, 2021 at 3:15 pm
Well done John, this was a great book and still relevant. Will there be a third edition?
October 5, 2021 at 3:18 pm
Thanks Julian! No, there won’t be a third edition. The blog will take its place by continuing to update on things Okinawan.