Akata Sundunchi

Akata Sundunchi (赤田首里殿内) is a traditional Okinawan song about Maitreya, a Buddhist bodhisattva. The song is named after the Ufuamushirare Temple in Akata Village, part of Shuri, Okinawa.

Overview
The worship of Maitreya, known in Okinawan as Miruku Unkee (弥勒御迎), was adopted by the Ryukyuan religion where he is associated with Nirai Kanai. He was enshrined at the Ufuamushirare Temple near Shuri Castle and received royal patronage from the King of Ryukyu. The song, Akata Sundunchi, was sung during the Maitreya festival on the 16th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which is now held on the Sunday closest to July 16. The festival disappeared during the late 20th century, but was revived and has been held annually since 1994. The song is usually accompanied by sanshin. It has become a popular children's song.

Lyrics
The second verse is sometimes placed after the third, and the fourth is sometimes absent.

Original text
 * ぎてぃ
 * うりががりば
 * Chorus
 * しーやーぷー　しーやーぷー　みーみんめー　みーみんめー
 * ひーじんとー　ひーじんとー　いーゆぬみー　いーゆぬみー
 * がりば　がちゅん
 * てぃり
 * Chorus
 * だいくくぬ　がにもち
 * きぼせみそーり
 * Chorus
 * ぬ　てぃぶ
 * ぬ　くなたさ
 * Chorus

Transliteration


 * Akata Sundunchi Kuganiduuruusa Giti
 * Uriga Aka Gariba Miruku Unkee
 * Chorus
 * Shiiyaapuu Shiiyaapuu Miiminmee Miiminmee
 * Hiijintoo Hijintoo Iiyunumii Iiyunumii
 * Agariaga Gariba Shiminaree Ga Ichun
 * Kashirayu Ti Taboori Wa Uganashi
 * Chorus
 * Daikuku Nu Miruku Wa Ga Shima Ni Imochi
 * Uka Kibosemisoori Miruku Yugafu
 * Chorus
 * Michimichi Nu Chimata Utauta Ti Ashibu
 * Miruku Yu Nu Yugafu Chikakunasa
 * Chorus

Translation
 * Inside Shuri Temple in Akata Village, hang a golden lantern
 * If it glows brightly, we'll beckon Maitreya Boddhisattva
 * Chorus
 * When the sun rises, I will go to school
 * Please put up your hair for my master
 * Chorus
 * Maitreya, please come to my island
 * Please spread the word of Maitreya's world peace
 * Chorus
 * Everyone there will sing songs
 * It seems that Maitreya's peaceful world is near
 * Chorus