Changes

* ''Japanese'': おもろさうし ''(omoro soushi<ref>Though written in [[kana]] as ''saushi'' (さうし), it is pronounced as ''soushi'' (そうし) and is sometimes written this way in modern texts. This is a typical vowel shift in [[bungo|classical Japanese]].</ref>)''

* ''Japanese'': おもろさうし ''(omoro soushi<ref>Though written in [[kana]] as ''saushi'' (さうし), it is pronounced as ''soushi'' (そうし) and is sometimes written this way in modern texts. This is a typical vowel shift in [[bungo|classical Japanese]].</ref>)''

==History==

==History==

The ''omoro'', as a form, are said to be the predecessors in Ryukyuan culture to distinct forms of music, dance, and literature; they incorporate all three of these. Only after centuries of development, and influence from China, Japan, and various Southeast Asian cultures, did distinct traditions of music, dance, and literature develop, literature being the only one to be recorded with any consistency. Outside of what might be inferred or reconstructed from the ''Omoro Sôshi'', no record survives today of earlier forms of Ryukyuan music and dance.

The ''omoro'', as a form, are said to be the predecessors in Ryukyuan culture to distinct forms of music, dance, and literature; they incorporate all three of these. Only after centuries of development, and influence from China, Japan, and various Southeast Asian cultures, did distinct traditions of music, dance, and literature develop, literature being the only one to be recorded with any consistency. Outside of what might be inferred or reconstructed from the ''Omoro Sôshi'', no record survives today of earlier forms of Ryukyuan music and dance. Some sources indicate that prior to the 15th century, Okinawa had no instrumental tradition, and that ''omoro'' were sung or chanted to the beat of another performer's clapping.<ref>[[Robin Thompson|Thompson, Robin]]. "The Music of Ryukyu." Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2008. p310.</ref>

Though reflective of ancient folk traditions, the poetry also reflects the intricate links the Ryukyus enjoyed with other nearby states. Many of the Ryukyuan islands, largely culturally and linguistically isolated, are mentioned, along with various locations in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Though reflective of ancient folk traditions, the poetry also reflects the intricate links the Ryukyus enjoyed with other nearby states. Many of the Ryukyuan islands, largely culturally and linguistically isolated, are mentioned, along with various locations in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.