Geoscience Communication
Geoscience Communication
GC
Articles | Volume 8, issue 4
Articles | Volume 8, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-251-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-251-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 8, issue 4
Research article
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07 Oct 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 07 Oct 2025

Place-based science from Okinawa: 18th-century climate and geology recorded in Ryukyuan classical music

Justin T. Higa, June Y. Uyeunten, and Kenton A. Odo

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Editorial statement
The paper compares indigenous Ryukyuan music from the 18th centrury and climate and geological history of the Ryukyu Islands. It is proving that Ryukyuan songs can be used in climate and geoscience education, offering not only valuable insights but also opening up new collaboration options between cultural practitioners and researchers.
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Short summary
Indigenous Ryukyuan music records the 18th-century climate and geology of the Ryukyu Kingdom (21st-century Okinawa Prefecture, Japan). By collaborating with Ryukyuan cultural practitioners, we find that two seafaring songs detail the winds, ocean currents, and volcanoes that historical voyagers faced during envoys to Kyushu, Japan. Educators can use such observations in place-based learning to increase environmental science engagement in 21st-century Okinawa and the Okinawan diaspora worldwide.
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