Shimanchu nu Takara

"Shimanchu nu Takara" is a song by Okinawa-based J-pop band Begin. It reached number 47 on the Oricon weekly charts and the band performed the song on NHK's 53rd annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2002. It has become a song iconic of Okinawa Prefecture due to its use of eisa-inspired chanting. Its B-side that begins with "Soredemo Kurashi wa..." is noted as being one of the longest song titles in Japan.

Background and release

During, the 15th year anniversary of the song, Eishō Higa, the band's vocalist, revealed that the song was based on answers of one of their former classmates in Ishigaki Middle High School in 2001 on their thoughts on the island. Originally, the song was made as a "graduation song". The song features various Okinawan elements such as the use of sanshin and Okinawan way of life.
The song was released on May 22, 2002 and it was performed in the NHK's 53rd annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen in the same year.

Track listing

Source:

Commercial performance

The song charted in Oricon's Single CD Sales ranking 60 times and peaked at 47th.

Cover versions

Because of the popularity of "Shimanchu nu Takara", it has been covered many times, including by Allister on the EP Guilty Pleasures, by Hearts Grow on their album Summer Chanpuru, by Yanawaraba for their album Nagiuta. by Speed member Hiroko Shimabukuro on her solo album Watashi no Okinawa,and, by Beni on her album.Covers 3. Akari Kito and Fairouz Ai sung a version of the song in their respective character serving as the first ending for the 2025 anime series Okitsura.
On the band's 30th anniversary of the band in 2020, "Shimanchu nu Takara" was sung by various people from Ishigaki Island.