Shoukichi Kina

"Lay Down Your Weapons, Take Up Musical Instruments," the song that Okinawan guitarist, vocalist, and composer Shoukichi Kina chose to perform at the Cultural Olympiad at the Olympics in Atlanta in July 1996, summed up his philosophy. Since 1968, when he formed his band Champloose, Kina has provided a musical voice for Okinawan and environmental concerns. One of the first to combine traditional Asian music with rock and reggae influences, Kina continues to use his music to bring the Asian and Western worlds closer together. The son of a traditional shamisen player, Kina has ...