About me

RIKO SUGAMA



Ryukyu Traditional Dancer & Uta-Sanshin Performer
Based in Berlin


Riko Sugama is a master of Ryukyu traditional dance and Uta-Sanshin (traditional Okinawan music), originally from Okinawa, Japan.

Rooted in the former Kingdom of Ryukyu, her work carries a cultural heritage shaped by centuries of exchange between Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Her performances embody the philosophy of harmony with nature, spiritual depth, and the spirit of hospitality that defines Okinawan culture.

Awarded the highest prizes in both Ryukyu classical dance and music, Riko has performed internationally across Europe and Asia, from major festivals in Japan to contemporary art spaces in Berlin and Prague.

Now based in Berlin, she bridges tradition and contemporary expression, bringing the voice of Ryukyu to global audiences.




Ryukyu Traditional Dance


Licences and certification

  • 2018 Certificate of Master for Ryukyu Traditional Dance

Awards

  • 2012 Ryukyu Koten buyoh Saikousho Award (Highest award)
  • 2009 Ryukyu Koten buyoh Yushusho Award (excellence award) 
  • 2006 Ryukyu Koten buyoh Shinjinnsho Award (newest award) 

Education

  • 1992 “HARU” Okinawan Traditional Dance Studio Started to study under “Keiko Miyagi” 


Uta-sanshin


Licences and certification

  • 2019 Certificate of Master for “Uta-Sanshin” (Ryukyu Traditional Instruments and sing) 

Awards

  • 2017 Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Uta-Sanshin “Grand Prix” Award (Highest award)
  • 2014 Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Uta-Sanshin “Saiko-sho” Award (Grand award) 
  • 2012 Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Uta-Sanshin “Yushu-sho” Award (excellence award) 
  • 2008 Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Uta-Sanshin “Shinjin-sho” Award (newest award) 

Education

  • 2005 “Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomuraryu Hozonkai”

　- Okinawan Traditional Instruments “Nomura”Association Started to study under “Kazuko Yabiku"



Recent Career in Europe and Japan



  • 2025. Juni. : Hannover, Finissage Performance at Kunstverein Langenhagen for Thais Omine
  • 2025. May. : Prague, Prague fringe festival 24th "MAJUN" World Premiering
  • 2025. May. : Japan, Live Performance with Rita Sugama at Tsukino-Hanare Ginza
  • 2025.Mar. : Prague, Performance for Prague fringe festival preview at miyabi ZEN house
  • 2025.Feb. : Japan, Choreograph for Ryukyu Dance Part for Awich, Jay Park, KR$NA, Masiwei & VannDa - ASIAN STATE OF MIND (Prod. Diego Ave)
  • 2024. Dec. : Berlin, Riko Sugama Berlin Sanshin Shule, Schülervorstellung at ALATA ramen und curry
  • 2024. aug. : Berlin, "HADO" MV Dance for Waqwaq Kingdom
  • 2024.Jul. :  Japan, Fujirock festival Awich Green stage, "THE UNION"
  • 2024.May. : Japan, ONE OK ROCK and Awich live performance for  "THE UNION" Uta-sanshin with KUNIKO
  • 2024. Mar. : Leipzig, Leipziger Buchmesse Performance
  • 2023. Nov. : Japan, Choreograph for Awich "THE UNION" for Yokohama K-arena concert
  • 2023. Oct. : Berlin, Performance during the festivities in celebration of 50 years of professional youth worker exchange between Germany and Japan
  • 2023. Sep. : Netherlands, Leiko Ikemura "MOTION OF LOVE" - Performance of the Finissage as a dancer and singer　
  • 2023. Jun: Berlin, Invited and organized by dancers from Japan to perform in Berlin Pfefferberg Theater
  • 2023. May. : Czech Republic, Prague Fringe - 4 stages
  • 2023 May. : Hamburg, Glenfiddich "Grand Yozakura" launch party
  • 2023. Apr. : Berlin, Leiko Ikemura "WITTY WITCHES" - Performance of the Finissage as a dancer and singer
  • 2023. Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov. :  Berlin, The Feuerle Collection performance program - Ryukyu traditional performance (5 stages)
  • 2021: Performance and organization for the 160th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Germany Event in the Japanese Embassy / Invitation to "BERLIN x OKINAWA"
  • 2021: Okinawa Musik-Live In Crosskultur 2021 Schöneberg
  • 2021: SAKE embassy Berlin - Opening Performer
  • 2021: France, PATMAY productions "Le projet collaboratif de LODGER" as Paroles and chants
  • 2021: Germany, transboundary language project as a video dancer, speaker, and project main performer
  • 2021: Spain, Barcelona, Contemporary second edition by "its liquid group" at Valid World Hall's Opening ceremony



Career in Okinawa

  • Creation

2003-2019 Creative works over 40 songs for her dojo HARU's performance she belongs to.

2015 Participated as Lady Macbeth and the 3 Witches in "Crown Macbeth", a project directed by actor and pantomime-minister Makoto Inoue.

2017 Choreography of official commercials for outlet malls of Okinawa, 4 style for 2 years.


  • Stage appearance

Okinawa prefecture / outside prefecture sponsored stage, independent performance, provision of works of other group stage, event, stage production 

More than 100 stages per year (until 2018 living in Okinawa prefecture)


  • Overseas performances

2006-2018 Overseas performances in 10 countries and 13 cities

(China, Macau, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei, Vietnam, France, UK and USA,)

2014-2016 Theater Festival 3 countries


  • Consolation, volunteer performance

1996-2019 Consolation performances, volunteer activities, charity performances, 

Contribution to local communities inside and outside Okinawa (visits day care, hospitals, and facility groups in the prefecture about 25 times a year) 


  • Kumiodori 

Tamagusuku Chokun, a Ryūkyūan courtier from 1684–1734, is created for for the Chinese diplomats who traveled to Ryūkyū. 

In 2010, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

1996-2006 Kumiodori 4 works 8 roles



Contact Me