Yukiko Miyagi and Fusako Shida become the first living national treasures in Ryukyu Buyo
Yukiko Miyagi (left, courtesy of Yukiko Miyagi) and Fusako Shida (right, courtesy of the Choyo-ryu school of Ryukyu dance) dancing the classic onna-odori “Shudun”
July 16, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 16, the Japanese government’s Council for Cultural Affairs, chaired by Makoto Sato, provided Koichi Hagiuda, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) with its selection for the next national living treasures. Nago-City native and current resident of Tsuji, Naha City, Yukiko Miyagi, 87, of the Shinyo-ryu school of Ryukyu traditional dance (Ryukyu Buyo), and Naha-City native and current resident of Nerima, Tokyo, Fusako Shida, 84, of the Choyo-ryu school of Ryukyu traditional dance, were chosen to be designated holders of nationally designated important intangible cultural properties (also known as national living treasures). It is the first time a living n