The “Omoro sōshi” — a rich tapestry of 1,500 songs, poems, and prayers — offers a rare glimpse into the everyday lives, landscapes, and spirit of the Ryukyu Islands’ golden age. On April 8, as part of the 2025 Washin Kai Spring Lecture, Department of Asian Languages & Literature Associate Professor Davinder Bhowmik introduced the main features of the “Omoro sōshi” and its distinctive lens on communal traditions and the natural world.
Bhowmik had previously discussed the “Omoro sōshi” in a March 24 piece for the Northwest Asian Weekly titled “The enduring power of the ‘Omoro Sōshi.'”
The lecture was held in-person in Kane Hall 210, as well as livestreamed; watch a recording below.