Editing Ryukyuans (section)

===Arts===
{{main|Okinawan martial arts|Karate|Ryukyuan music|Okinawan music|}}
The techniques of [[self-defense]] and using farm tools as weapons against armed opponents—called [[karate]] by today's martial artists—were created by Ryukyuans who probably incorporated some {{transliteration|zh|[[Chinese martial arts|gong fu]]}} and techniques from China into a complete system of attack and defense known simply as {{transliteration|ryu|ta}} (literally meaning "hand"). These martial arts varied slightly from town to town, and were named for their towns of origin, examples being [[Naha-te]] (currently known as Goju-Ryū), [[Tomari-te]] and [[Shuri-te]].

The [[Kabura-ya (Japanese signal arrow)]] still has a ceremonial use for house, village or festival celebration in Okinawa.
{{sfn|Kerr|2000}}

It is considered that the rhythms and patterns of dances, like [[Eisa (dance)|Eisa]] and [[Angama (dance)|Angama]], represent legends and prehistoric heritage.{{sfn|Kerr|2000}} [[Ryūka]] genre of songs and poetry originate from the Okinawa Islands. From the Chinese traditional instrument {{transliteration|zh|[[sanxian]]}} in the 16th century developed the Okinawan instrument {{transliteration|ja|[[sanshin]]}} from which the {{transliteration|ja|[[kankara sanshin]]}} and the Japanese {{transliteration|ja|[[shamisen]]}} derive.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lande|first=Liv|title=Innovating musical tradition in Japan: Negotiating transmission, identity, and creativity in the Sawai Koto School|year=2007|page=73|isbn=978-0-549-50670-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TukqhSzefPEC}}</ref>

Women frequently wore indigo tattoos known as ''[[hajichi]]'' on the backs of their hands, a sign of adulthood and talisman to protect them from evil. These tattoos were banned in 1899 by the Meiji government.<ref name="MasamiIto2009"/> In remote districts their ''katakashira'' off-center topknot, similar to that of the [[Yami people|Yami]] and some [[Filipinos|Filipino]] ethnic groups,{{sfn|Kerr|2000}} among men and women also disappeared in the early 20th century.{{sfn|Hendrickx|2007|p=59}}

The ''bashôfu'', literally meaning "banana-fibre cloth", is designated as a part of Ryukyu and Japan "important intangible cultural properties". The weaving using indigenous ramie was also widespread in the archipelago, both originated before the 14th century.{{sfn|Hendrickx|2007|pp=27, 64}}

Originally living in [[thatching]] houses, townsmen developed architecture modeled after Japanese, Chinese and Korean structures. Other dwellings suggest a tropical origin, and some villages have high stone walls, with similar structural counterpart in Yami people at [[Orchid Island]].{{sfn|Kerr|2000}}

For the categories of [[Cultural Property (Japan)|Cultural Properties]], see the following lists: [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - archaeological materials (Okinawa)|archaeological materials]], [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - historical materials (Okinawa)|historical materials]], [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - crafts (Okinawa)|crafts]], [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - paintings (Okinawa)|paintings]], [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - sculptures (Okinawa)|sculptures]], [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - writings (Okinawa)|writings]], [[List of Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan (Okinawa)|intangible]], and [[List of Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan (Okinawa)|tangible]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}