is a song by Okinawa-based J-pop band Begin. It reached number 47 on the Oricon weekly charts and the band performed the song on NHK's 53rd annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2002. It has become a song iconic of Okinawa Prefecture due to its use of eisa-inspired chanting. Its B-side, which begins with "Soredemo Kurashi wa..." is noted as being one of the longest song titles in Japan.

Background and release Eishō Higa, the band's vocalist, revealed that the song was created following a dispute among students on whether "My Way" or Southern All Stars' "Yaya" would be the graduation song for Ishigaki Middle High School in 2001. His friend asked his second-year classmates about their feelings about Ishigaki Island. The answer, such as "grandpa and grandma are treasures" and "The sea is a treasure". After noticing that the word "treasure" was popping up everywhere, and thought, "They call the island a 'treasure'?".

The song features various Okinawan elements such as the use of sanshin and the Okinawan way of life. Yoh of Orange Range said that the song is about "how the people of Okinawa have lived, their roots. There were tough times, but it's a song that teaches you to live with a smile and be cheerful."

The song was released on May 22, 2002 and it was performed in the NHK's 53rd annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen in the same year.

Track listing

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Commercial performance The song charted in Oricon's Single CD Sales ranking 60 times and peaked at 47th.

Cover versions Because of the popularity of "Shimanchu nu Takara", it has been covered many times, including by Allister on the EP Guilty Pleasures, by Hearts Grow on their album Summer Chanpuru, by Yanawaraba for their album Nagiuta. by Speed member Hiroko Shimabukuro on her solo album Watashi no Okinawa, and, by Beni on her album.Covers 3. Akari Kito and Fairouz Ai sung a version of the song in their respective character serving as the first ending for the 2025 anime series Okitsura.

On the band's 30th anniversary of the band in 2020, "Shimanchu nu Takara" was sung by various people from Ishigaki Island.

Live performance During conclusion of the Begin's Sanishan Sango Show!! -35th Anniversary Music Brigade Tour-, they perform the song in their hometown of Ishigaki Island.

Charts + Weekly chart performance for "Shimanchu nu Takara" Chart PeakJapan Single CD Sales (Oricon) 47

See also Okinawan music Tooshin Dooi

References Notes

Citations

External links "Shimanchu nu Takara" in Begin's discography