Finger Whistle Day (Yubibue no Hi)

What Is Finger Whistle Day?

July 10th is "Finger Whistle Day" (Yubibue no Hi) in Japan. This commemorative day was established in June 2006 by "Yubibue Ōkoku Okinawa" (Finger Whistle Kingdom Okinawa), a group of finger-whistle enthusiasts in Okinawa, to promote the culture of "finger whistling" — a piercing whistle made by placing one's fingers in the mouth — long used in Okinawan music, festivals, and cheering.

The Origins of Finger Whistle Day

The "7" comes from the shape of a bent index or little finger used to whistle, which resembles the numeral 7, and the "10" from the many ways of whistling using all ten fingers. Finger whistles also accompany eisā, the dance performed around the Obon season, so July — when the rainy season ends and summer begins — was considered fitting. A finger whistle is made by putting the fingers in the mouth and blowing to produce a sharp, carrying sound. In Okinawa, this technique has long been a familiar part of folk music performances, festivals, and cheering at sporting events.

• Established: 2006, by Yubibue Ōkoku Okinawa.
• Associated region: Okinawa Prefecture.
• Common uses: Folk music, festivals, and cheering at sports events.
• Distinctive feature: Produces sound using only the fingers and mouth — no instrument needed.

Fun Facts About Finger Whistling

• Volume: A finger whistle can produce a high-pitched sound that carries over long distances, making it effective for cheering or signaling.
• How to practice: The exact finger and mouth positioning affects how easily the sound is produced, so it usually takes some practice to get the hang of it.
• A global tradition: Whistling techniques similar to Okinawa's finger whistle appear in traditional music around the world, not just in Okinawa.

Different Ways to Finger Whistle

There is more than one way to whistle with your fingers. Common methods include putting the thumb and index (or middle) finger of one hand in the mouth, or using four fingers — the index and middle fingers of both hands.

• Okinawan style: The index finger is placed inside the mouth to push up the tongue, producing the sharp sound heard at dances and baseball games.
• Playing melodies: In Okinawa, Daizo Tamura devised a way to play melodies by finger whistle, which helped spread finger-whistle music.

How to Spend This Day

July 10th is a fun day to try your hand at finger whistling. Put on some Okinawan folk music and listen closely for the sound of a finger whistle as you give it a try yourself.