In Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, a tournament was held every year to continue singing the folk song "Tubarama", which represents the Yaeyama region, in the midst of the corona storm, with no audience.
"Tubarama" is a folk song that represents the Yaeyama region, and sings thoughts about hometown and lover with a melancholy melody.
In Ishigaki City, the Tubarama Tournament has been held from 1947 to the 13th night of the lunar calendar in order to continue singing this folk song.
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, this year's tournament was held for the first time without spectators after changing the venue from the usual outdoor to Ishigaki Civic Center, and the tournament was delivered online.
In the "Singing Division", 17 people performed their proud singing voices, and Mr. Heito Higashikawa, a civil servant of Ishigaki City, was selected for the highest award.
Mr. Higashikawa said, "I have been trying for 10 years, but I found it difficult again. I want to continue singing and researching."
In the "Lyrics section", the work of Ritsuko Hirota from Kawasaki City was selected as the highest award from the 590 entries submitted, and the lyrics that the deceased mother and her old self became similar. The winners of past competitions sang.