Okinawaology Blog

Turning 50 years old in Okinawa was really nothing at all considering.

2011-12-12T18:22:00.000-06:00

When visiting Okinawa this year I turned fifty years old and since returning I've thought about it and what it means to have existed for half a century. Some may look at it as if "half of my life is now over" and still others may look at it as if "I have finally reached a time in my life when I can enjoy the adventure of the next fifty years." I tend to aspire to the second train of thought. I hope that I can use the experience of the first half of my life to do a better job in the next fifty years.

Reaching the half way point of my existence in Okinawa was over shadowed (as it should have been) by the birthday celebration of my mother in law Yoshiko Ishiki (Kakazu, from the village of Yoza) who turned 88 years old while we were in Okinawa. She suffered a brain aneurism when she was in her 60's but fought her way back to nearly perfect health. Now at 88, she could still be considered a young un' by the many of the centenarians living in Okinawa today. However, the brain injury she suffered is now taking its toll by waging havoc with her short term memory. I found myself having the same conversation every five minutes with her. Even if it was cute at first, it can make you realize how it is important to do and think the things you like while you still have the physical ability and sound mind to do so.

Yoshiko after the War

During our stay we spoke to her on several occasions asking her about her past and things she could remember about her life. Funny thing about brain injuries, even if the short term is lost the long term memory can many times remain intact. This is the case with Yoshiko and she told me of the times she rode the train from Kochinda to Naha as a child to buy kimonos. She beamed when she told us about her brother who had been the local train station manager for the railroad as he had been the first in her family to move up from the ranks of being a farmer. She then told us of riding in a rickshaw to get to their final destination a store that sold girls clothing. It was a good time. Then she told us of the time she remembered during the battle of Okinawa. As she spoke she pulled her hair apart on the back of her head exposing a scar from some shrapnel that had injured her. She told me that it didn't hurt her anymore and she smiled as if it were no big deal. Yoshiko was in her early twenties at the time of the battle and was in charge of taking care of the children in the cave where they hid from the battle. Many of her family members lost their lives during the battle. These are rubbings of their names taken from the wall at the peace memorial park where the 200000 names of those who died in the battle are inscribed.

There was a lot of family lost during the battle.

I suppose my life has been easy when compared to the life of Yoshiko Kakazu. She was forced to take on a lot of responsibility at a very young age. Still had the will to go forth even after so many of her family had been taken. Raised a large family where they had to grow the food they needed to live on. She also worked the sugarcane fields with my father in law for many of the years of her life. She also gave me the greatest gift of my life when she produced the fifth of her six daughters.

Here is the video of Yoshiko's 88th Birthday celebration. Oh and that's me playing Happy Birthday on the Sanshin.

The First in a Series of Playlists about the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival

2011-11-23T09:17:00.000-06:00

This year I spent all of October in Okinawa. While I was there I attended the 5th worldwide Uchinanchu festival where I was treated like a VIP due to my Minkan Taishi status. This presented me with an opportunity to capture some wonderful videos of the event from some prime locations. Please watch the attached video and enter your thoughts on how Okinawans will go all out to welcome home people descended from the uchinanchu people.

Visit my YouTube channel for more videos about Okinawa and its people.

http://www.youtube.com/user/tcorrao

A Little Bit About Ancient Okinawans

2011-11-04T14:31:00.000-05:00

The oldest human remains discovered on Okinawa were those of a seven-year-old girl estimated to be approximately 32,000 years old. Her remains were found inside Yamashita Daiichi Cave in the Yamashita district of Naha in 1962.

Yamashita Daiichi Cave is a semi-cave ruin and because it was used as a grave it escaped destruction in postwar quarrying. The bones of an 8-year-old girl, subsequently called the Yamashita-dojin were excavated from here. It is one of the most significant finds within the whole of the East Asian region and in 1969 it was designated as a Cultural Property by Okinawa Prefecture.

Six years later, the remains of a male who lived more than 18,000 years ago were unearthed in the Minatogawa district of Gushikami. Not much is known about how these ancient Okinawans lived, but scientists are continuing lo discover more about Okinawa’s past through new excavation sites.

Ancient Okinawans lived in small coastal communities and survived mostly on small fish and shellfish. Archeologists called this the “Shellmound Era” because of the mounds of discarded shells and fish bones that were found during numerous excavations.

Okinawans who inhabited the island during the Shellmound Era, several thousand years ago, lived in caves near the coastline. As civilization advanced, building technology improved to simple dwellings made from wood, thatch, and earth. These early Okinawans survived on fish, shellfish, and small animals that they occasionally hunted. Tools crafted from bone and stone were used. This way of life lasted until approximately 1,500 years ago.

I've now returned from Okinawa

2011-10-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I just got back from Okinawa where we attended the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival. I was pleasantly surprised when I got there to find that my status as a new uchina goodwill ambassador gained me access to some pretty spectacular events and some special VIP seating. This allowed me to get some pretty fantastic video that I will be able to share with you over the coming months. All tolled I took over 2000 photographs and 200 Gb of video. I hope you will join me here and follow along as I retrace our Okinawan adventure.

Here are a few teaser photos of whats to come.

Watch for postings soon as soon as my jet lag wears off!

Goya Farmer

2011-09-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

Every year I get a little bit better at growing these bitter melons in my garden. They are extremely healthy and taste great is you prepare them correctly. The secret is to use a spoon to scrape as much of the white fibrous material from the center before using it in you recipes. The plant is called by different names depending on what country your in but we like to call it Goya the Japanese name for bitter melon.

Recently my friend Tom Pressley posted that he has been learning to make Champuru and posted a picture of his most recent dish. It looked more like Okazu to me as it was mostly bean sprouts and tofu. Okinawan champuru contains Goya so Tom's must be a variation of the real stuff. Here is a picture of what real champuru should look like.

This year my crop was delayed because the first batch of seeds we planted didn't sprout for some reason. We have been pulling the seeds for the next years crops right from the fruit we are using. Maybe we picked some that weren't mature enough who knows? We did have more though but the bad seeds put us about three weeks behind. The plants did do well and the weather cooperated pretty much so we have been eating Goya.

Goya Lemon & Apple Juice Cocktail

Goya Pinwheels

To make them fill goya rings with Ground chuck that has portabello mushrooms minced into it.

Bread them by dipping in egg and coating with panko

Deep fry them up in a wok

When browned well remove them from the pan and let the excess oil drain into a paper towel

When they are dry cut them in half and serve.

Even the kids will eat these because they're fried

Here is a video that I threw together showing the growth this season.

Visitors from Salt Lake City

2011-08-21T09:10:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had visitors from Salt Lake City. Uchinanchu Friend Keiko Mitchell and her husband Steve stopped by to say hello on their way to see their son in Rockford Illinois. Keiko recently passed her first level Sanshin test and played for us at the house. She has a wonderful voice and played very well from memory. We had dinner together and visited the Okinawa Stone down by the shores of Lake Michigan. They weren't able to stay long but it sure was nice to see them again.

One thing I like about having uchinanchu friends is once you have an Okinawan friend you have them for life.

August is the Month of Obon in Okinawa Japan

2011-08-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.

The festival of Obon lasts for three days; however its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. When the lunar calendar was changed to the Gregorian calendar at the beginning of the Meiji era, the localities in Japan reacted differently and this resulted in three different times of Obon. "Shichigatsu Bon" (Bon in July) is based on the solar calendar and is celebrated around 15 July in eastern Japan (Kantō: areas such as Tokyo, Yokohama and the Tohoku region), coinciding with Chūgen. "Hachigatsu Bon" (Bon in August) is based on the solar calendar, is celebrated around the 15th of August and is the most commonly celebrated time. "Kyu Bon" (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, and so differs each year. "Kyu Bon" is celebrated in areas like the northern part of the Kantō region, Chūgoku, Shikoku, and the Southwestern islands. These three days are not listed as public holidays but it is customary that people are given leave.

Bon Odori (盆踊り), meaning simply Bon dance is a style of dancing performed during Obon. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a local dance, as well as different music. The music can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min'yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. Hokkaidō is known for a folk-song known as "Soran Bushi." The song "Tokyo Ondo" takes its namesake from the capital of Japan. "Gujo Odori" in Gujō, Gifu prefecture is famous for all night dancing. "Goshu Ondo" is a folk song from Shiga prefecture. Residents of the Kansai area will recognize the famous "Kawachi ondo." Tokushima in Shikoku is very famous for its "Awa Odori," or "fool's dance," and in the far south, one can hear the "Ohara Bushi" of Kagoshima.

The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a 'yagura'. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clockwise, and some dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura. Some dances reverse during the dance, though most do not. At times, people face the yagura and move towards and away from it. Still some dances, such as the Kagoshima Ohara dance, and the Tokushima Awa Odori, simply proceed in a straight line through the streets of the town.

The dance of a region can depict the area's history and specialization. For example, the movements of the dance of the Tankō Bushi (the "coal mining song") of old Miike Mine in Kyūshū show the movements of miners, i.e. digging, cart pushing, lantern hanging, etc. All dancers perform the same dance sequence in unison.

There are other ways in which a regional Bon dance can vary. Some dances involve the use of different kinds of fans, others involve the use of small towels called tenugui which may have colorful designs. Some require the use of small wooden clappers, or "kachi-kachi" during the dance. The "Hanagasa Odori" of Yamagata is performed with a straw hat that has been decorated with flowers.

The music that is played during the Bon dance is not limited to Obon music and min'yo; some modern enka hits and kids' tunes written to the beat of the "ondo" are also used to dance to during Obon season. The "Pokémon Ondo" was used as one of the ending theme songs for the anime series in Japan.

The Bon dance tradition is said to have started in the later years of the Muromachi period as a public entertainment. In the course of time, the original religious meaning has faded, and the dance has become associated with summer.

To celebrate O-Bon in Okinawa, the eisa drum dance is performed instead.

This video shows a compilation of dancers that danced at this years Bon dance at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights. Mitsuwa has become the annual spot for the bon odori in the chicagoland area. I changed the music but it fits rather nicely to the dance and the occassion.

What Exactly is the Uchinanchu Taikai?

2011-08-15T14:04:00.000-05:00

Nearly 100 years ago, many Okinawans left their beloved island, lured by dreams of making their fortunes. Many islanders made their way to places such as Hawaii (where they worked on sugar plantations), Peru, Brazil, and other countries throughout the world. While many of these Okinawans dreams were larger than life, unfortunately life in a foreign country was worse than what they had foreseen. Housing conditions were poor and labor was unbelievably tough. Language barriers and new customs also gave many Okinawans problems as well.

Many people may wonder why so many Okinawans would leave such a beautiful place and move to a foreign country. Several factors contributed to this mass exodus. After Okinawa was assimilated by Japan, the new government imposed a new tax system and instigated a military draft. These policies made many islanders lives extremely difficult. The island also suffered from limited natural resources. Since space was at such a premium, few could afford decently sized farm plots, and typhoons destroyed crops on a regular basis.

Today, emigrants from Okinawa throughout the world regularly reconnect with islanders from the same village, town, or city. Many organized groups exist, promoting friendship and exchanging information. Recently, many groups have consolidated into larger networks called Kenjin-kai. There are sixty-six Kenjin-kai located throughout the world, and periodically these networks hold a Worldwide Uchinanchu (Okinawan) Festival in Okinawa sponsored by the Prefectural government, bringing representatives from different Kenjin-kai together.

The first was held in 1990 and then more were held in 1995, 2001, and 2006. This year, the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival will be held at the Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha. The events will take place between October 12th and the 16th once again bringing Okinawans back to their beloved ancestral homeland.

Let the Churashima spirit echo into the future!

The 5th Joint Performance Recital with The Kariyushi-kai

2011-08-13T07:11:00.001-05:00

If you're going to be in Okinawa the weekend before the 5th world Uchinanchu Festival maybe you'll be interested in attending a cultural arts performance between the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai and the Kariyushi-kai of Okinawa.

On October 9th 2011 there will be a joint performance recital featuring the Music & Dance of Okinawa Japan. Performed by members of the Kariyushi-kai and the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai the performance will be the fifth time these two groups have met to perform together.

It will be held at the Kimutaka Hall which is located at 3071 Katsuren-Henna, in Uruma City. This is an exciting event for those who enjoy the pleasures of the Okinawa culture.

EVENT: 5th Reunion Recital of the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai and the Okinawa Kariyushi-Kai

When: Sunday, October 9th 2011

View Larger Map

Where: Kimutaka Hall (3071 Katsuren-Henna, Uruma City)

Time: 3pm

You MUST RSVP for tickets to this event. If you have questions and request for more detail information please contact to Mayumi Seino / mseino@hotmail.com .

A 2011 Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Event

Okinawa's Annual Shisa-mai Festival

2011-08-11T11:10:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, a Ryukyuan emissary returned from China after his voyage to the court at Shuri Castle, where he brought with him a gift for the king. It was a necklace decorated with a small figurine of a shisa-dog. The king found it charming and wore it underneath his clothing.

Now it happened that the Naha Port bay, by the village of Madanbashi was often terrorized by a sea dragon who ate the villagers and destroyed their property. One day, the King was visiting the village when one of these attacks happened. The people scattered running to hide from the horrible sea dragon. The local noro had been told in a dream that he should instruct the king when he visited to stand on the beach and lift his figurine towards the dragon. She sent a young boy named Chiga to tell him the message which had come to her in a dream. The King upon hearing the message went to the seaside where he faced the sea monster with the figurine held high.

Shisa near Gana-mui Woods & the Naha Ohashi Bridge

Almost immediately a giant roar could be heard all throughout the village. A roar so deep and powerful that it even shook the sea dragon. Then a massive boulder then fell from heavens and crushing the sea dragon's tail. He couldn't move, and eventually died. This boulder and the dragon's body became covered with plants and surrounded by trees, and can still be seen by the port today. It is the "Gana-mui Woods" near Naha Ohashi bridge. The towns people built a large stone shisa to protect it from the dragon's spirit and other threats.

The people of Okinawa call lion-dogs, shisa or shishi. pronounced "She-she" Shishi is a Chinese word meaning lion-dog. A shisa is a lion-dog originally from China that wards off evil spirits and was initially placed at the entrances of castles, temples, imperial mausoleums and communities. In Okinawa they can be seen on many houses as well. Many times there are two Shisa present one with mouth closed to warn potential evil to stay away from the property and one with the mouth open almost in a smile to welcome good spirts.

Photo courtesy of Lloyd Wanscott photographer for Okinawa Living Magazine

The Shishimai, or Shisa dance, is a lively dance performed by a two costumed performers. In the dance, the fierce guardian is transformed into a fun loving spirit as it leaps and runs, wagging its furry tail and snapping its great wooden jaws at the audience to bring the people in attendance good luck. Children and adults alike laugh and try to pet the Shisa as it bounds by and catches a ball thrown by a Chondara clown.

The Shisa brings a warm feeling of timeless joy and by means of its ancient protection. It has become a rich part of Ryukyuan history and culture as well as reflecting the traditional beliefs of the typical family in Okinawa.

Every year in Okinawa they hold an annual shisa-mai festival. I believe this years festival will be held on September 25th at the Agena Bullring in Uruma City. Several different groups will be competing for the honor of best Shisa-mai group 2011.

If your going to Okinawa early for the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival this may be something you should check out. I'm positive you won't be disappointed. Maybe I'll see you there!

Chicago's Annual Bon Odori

2011-08-08T09:40:00.001-05:00

It's been a few days since I last wrote on the blog because I broke my tooth off and have been in pain for most of the week. The dentist was able to help me out before Saturday’s event at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, IL. The event is an annual one with everyone showing up to celebrate Obon. The Japanese holiday that celebrates the ancestors returning back to the earth for a yearly visit, It involves many Japanese and Okinawans from around the Chicago area as well as everyone else who likes culture. It is a time to meet with old friends and meet new ones as well.

Saturday I met a Japanese fellow named Kohei Yoshida who was visiting Chicago on a research project involving the assimilation of local uchinanchu people into other cultures. He was looking for volunteers to interview for the project and somehow he ended up talking to me. Mr. Yoshida is a research fellow of the Japan Society for the promotion of science (Social Science) with the Tokyo Metropolitan University. If you would like to contact him he said he would love to interview anyone with possible information on his research subject. Please feel free to email him at Kohei_y_jiminer@yahoo.co.jp Yoshida san was going to Brazil and Peru after his Chicago visit but promised to stop back and see us next summer.

The Bon dance is a tradition where a group of people from a village gather to dance in celebration around a podium of lanterns usually set up in the village's gathering place. In Chicago we still celebrate the tradition by visiting our gathering place, Mitsuwa Market, where everyone constantly visits and picks up the essentials of Japanese cookery.

The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai has become a regular part of the celebration demonstrating its version of Matsuri Daiko a form of choreographed eisa movements to a more modern style of eisa music from Okinawa. I was there to capture all of the action to share with you here today. So here is a sample of what I took. More video can be viewed on my Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/tcorrao ... Enjoy!

The 2011 CHICAGO OKINAWA KENJINKAI PICNIC

2011-07-31T19:44:00.000-05:00

Well yesterday was our annual Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Picnic. After a week filled with rain the day finally came and there wasn't a rain cloud to be seen in the sky. The weather was hot with temperatures nearing the 90 degree mark. What a perfect Okinawa type day for our picnic. I estimate there was about 120 people present at the Robinson Woods picnic groves. The food was great as always and there was plenty of activities to fill the day. Our new Kenjinkai president Paula Schmidling did a wonderful job organizing the event and all of the officers were involved in some aspect of the preparation. Here are a few videos to let you know what you missed out on if you weren't there. Maybe we will see you next year at the picnic. Ashibi nu chura saa ninju nu sunawai! It means the more the merrier!

Renting a Car in Okinawa For the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival?

2011-07-30T08:41:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Today is the annual Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai picnic so I will have to make this as quick as possible, there's plenty to do do do! Ya know!

Probably the easiest was to get around while visiting Okinawa for the 5th world uchinanchu festival is by rental car. It's definitely not going to be your cheapest mode of transportation but it will provide you with a tremendous mount of flexibility. My wife and I rented a car during the last Taikai and it was a wonderful experience. We were able to go wherever we pleased and were able to assist others we knew also when changing venues or events. One thing to remember is that gas is extremely expensive in Japan and has to be factored in to the cost as well as the price of the actual rental. If your retired military however gas on base is usually much more reasonable than off base.

This is an example prices may vary!

Okay then here's how to rent a car in Okinawa

Most of the car rental companies in Okinawa are located at the Naha Airport or in very close proximity to it. They send shuttles buses to pick up customers and bring them to their shop locations near the airport. Just follow the rental car signs in the airport there in both English and Japanese if my memory serves me correctly. There's also a number of car rental companies near Omoromachi Station in the Shinto shin shopping area by the Duty Free Shop.

The procedure for renting the car is quite simple. First just go up to the counter and choose the class of car you wish to rent and let them know for how many days. The cars are different than the ones you know in the states so ask questions about the models to find the one best suited for your needs. The rental company will ask you to show your international license or Japanese license and another form of ID such as a passport or alien registration card. International drivers licenses are easy to obtain through AAA and you don't have to be a AAA card holder to get one. I will provide a link to the application that you can fill out to take with you to your local AAA agent. Once they are satisfied you are who you say you are you will be asked to sign a rental contract and the staff will take you to your car for a brief inspection.

International Drivers Licence Application

Some car rental companies in Okinawa include The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) in the price and others add it as an additional fee. Generally it costs around 1,600 JPY per rental and must be paid up front. The LDW is mandatory by car rental companies, please remember it is not insurance. Its purpose is to free renters of financial responsibility if the car is damaged or stolen while under rental contract. Using the vehicle in violation of any of the user restrictions listed on the rental agreement could void LDW and leave the renter fully responsible for any damage to the vehicle. You should check with your car insurance company in the United States to see if you will be covered in Okinawa under your current insurance. If not then you would want to purchase the offered insurance through the rental company.

Driving in Okinawa is not like driving in the USA, The side streets as well as some of the main roads on the island are incredibly narrow and can be tricky to navigate at times. Also they drive on the left and you must be constantly vigilant . It is not uncommon for a new driver on Okinawa to have a flash back and turn into oncoming traffic. But if you remain alert and think about it you should be able to handle driving on the left.

Japanese law requires small children traveling in a vehicle to be safely fastened into a child seat. Most car rental agencies on Okinawa can provide child safety seats for any children traveling with you so it is not necessary to bring them with you. Be aware though the they will charge a small additional fee for the use of the car seat..

Most rental cars in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan come with GPS / Navigation systems, however in Okinawa most are only equipped to operate in Japanese. If you own one in the states you may be able to download the maps for Okinawa and Japan for your trip. I used the Japanese one even though my Japanese is not that fluent. My wife entered the information and I followed the directions on the screen which weren't that difficult to understand visually.

In Japan you must be 18 years old or older to rent a car according to Japanese law. You will also need your credit card just like you do when renting a car in the USA. Be aware that your credit card will probably charge you a foreign exchange fee for purchases overseas and the charge will be made at the rate for the conversion rate for the day the charge is actually processed. This date as well as the exchange rate may be different than it was on the day you actually rented the car. Just something to keep in mind.

My recommendation would be to rent the smallest car that can possibly serve your needs. My wife and I rented a subcompact and it could easily hold 5 people. Of course we didn't have the trunk storage space of a bigger car but we had relatives that came to the airport to meet us that helped get our bags to where we stayed.

Before you start driving in Okinawa, on the left hand side of the road, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the vehicle's equipment and operation, including heat and A/C, radio, lights, windshield wipers, spare tire, seat belts and door locks, and gas tank access. You may be surprised to find out they are on the opposite side many times from what you are use to. Oh yeah and the drivers side is on the right in a Japanese car. This may feel a little weird at first but you will quickly get use to it. I think it helps me remember to stay on the left because I think in my head "Hey the driver is towards the center of the road." if I find myself riding towards the outside of the road then I'm on the wrong side.

Getting distracted trying to figure out the controls while driving can be dangerous. Don't wait until the fuel warning light goes on to think about buying gas, especially if you don't know how far it is between gas stations. If, in the unlikely event that your car malfunctions on a major thoroughfare, turn on the hazard lights and, if you have a cell phone, call the police (110) and the rental company.

If you're involved in an accident contact the police to complete an accident report, then immediately contact the location from which the car was rented. You can find location phone information on your reservation confirmation paperwork.

The last thing I have to say is that parking in a pay lot in Okinawa is extremely expensive so try to park at public venues if possible. You may want to check with your hotel to find out about available parking and if they charge a fee to park at their facility.

Well that's about what I know about renting a car in Okinawa. Be careful and we'll see you in Okinawa.

Using the Bus while in Okinawa for the Uchinanchu Taikai

2011-07-28T21:33:00.002-05:00

Probably the most convenient form of transportation for getting to all points on the island of Okinawa is the bus. Buses are surprisingly expensive on Okinawa but do run many of the main roads on the island on their routes. Fares depend on the distance you have traveled at the time you get off the bus. Fares start around ¥150 but vary according to the bus company.

When getting on the bus take a ticket from the ticket dispenser as you board. If the bus has two doors make sure you enter and exit from the front door.

While riding, there is an electronic voice that calls out the stops (in Japanese). When your stop is called press the button next to the window to signal the driver to stop. It's a good idea to know what your destination looks or a remember a landmark that can be seen several stops away. This can help ensure that you exit the bus as close to your desired destination as possible.

There is an electronic display at the front of the bus that has numbers and a corresponding fare that increases as the bus makes its way along its route. When leaving, match the number on your ticket to the number on the display. The fare next to that number is what you pay.

Drop your ticket and exact fare, yen only, in the fare box. There is a change dispenser at the front of the bus that gives change for 1,000 yen bills, 500 yen coins, and 100 yen coins.

Bus fare from Naha Bus Terminal to Nago is about ¥1740 (About $22.32 at todays rate) for the 70km ride. Children under six who are accompanied by a parent ride for free and children in the sixth grade or lower pay half fare.

Nearly all buses use the Naha Bus Terminal as a starting and ending point for their routes. Unfortunately, there are no bus schedules printed in English to show you and the buses do not always stick to their allocated times, so please allow plenty of time for your travels. The different bus companies servicing Okinawa can run the same route. Please look for the bus number in the window of the bus to determine its destination, not the color of the bus.

Here is a list by bus numbers indicating the buses departure city and destination as well as the bus company running the line. The first hurdle you will need to overcome is determining which bus to take. Just because there are no schedules or routes available in English, doesn't mean it will be impossible to figure out where you're going. At every bus stop there is a map of Okinawa with routes included and a list of the buses that service the stop your at and their schedules. Find a bus that goes to your destination and its next arrival time. Route numbers 1 through 17 are categorized as the City (Naha) Line and numbers 20 and greater are the Suburban Line.

Four different bus companies operate routes in Okinawa. Because more than one bus company operates each route, it is best to signal the bus you want, otherwise it may not stop to pick you up.

Naha Airport Limousine Bus

On the Okinawa Main Island (Okinawa Honto) there is an extensive network of Airport Limousine Buses that operate all year long. This service is one of the best ways to get to almost all of the resort hotels on Okinawa at a fraction of the cost of taking a taxi. The pickup point at Naha Airport for the Airport Limousine Buses is located outside the Arrivals lobby on the 1st floor of the main terminal building.

During the high season of late July to the end of August more buses operate and on a more frequent schedule but there are also many more visitors using the Airport Limousine Bus service.

When leaving Naha Airport the Airport Limousine Buses use the first come first serve system and cannot be booked in advance. Make sure the bus you get on goes to your hotel by asking the driver.

When departing hotels and on the way to Naha Airport it is important to check your flight time and the travel time of the bus before leaving. Please remember that travel time of the Airport Limousine Buses may be longer than shown on the schedules due to traffic. Ask hotel staff where the pick-up point for the bus is and double check the schedule with them.

TOUR BUS INFO

There are also tour bus companies on the island that offer package tours which range from 6 to 10 hours. Prices are about $40 to $50 but may not include entrance fees to all venues.

Ryukyu Bus 098-863-3636

Okinawa Bus 098-861-0083

Naha Bus 098-868-3750

Taxi use in Okinawa - Expensive but Convenient in a Pinch

2011-07-27T21:11:00.001-05:00

Now that we’ve talked about using the monorail system let’s talk about getting to other areas of the island both in Naha and everywhere else. Probably the thing that struck me the most in regards to transportation while I was in Okinawa was the sheer number of taxi’s there are on the island. One of the primary industries on the island is tourism and being a service oriented economy there’s plenty of need for them.

Note the round red sign in the front window indicating the cab is vacant

Taxi cabs are easy to find just about anywhere on Okinawa. No matter where you are if you make your way to the main thoroughfare in the area, wave your hand in the air when you see a taxi approach. Look in the front window of the taxi on the passenger’s side and you will see a light up sign with some Japanese Kanji on it. If the taxi is empty the sign will be lit up in red. If the sign is green it means the taxi already has a passenger and is unavailable. When a taxi does pull over to pick you up it’s important to know that when entering or exiting a taxi cab anywhere in Japan, the rear left passenger door is automatic and controlled by the driver. The other important thing to know is recently all Okinawan Taxi’s became non-smoking.

The Left rear door is controlled by the driver. It opens and closes automatically.

Some taxi cab companies have set rates to resort hotels from Naha Airport and other main destinations. Pre-booking for these prices is necessary and can be done through most travel agents in Japan or by calling the taxi cab company if you or someone you know speaks Japanese. Many taxi cab companies on Okinawa also have sightseeing tour packages. This involves renting the services of the taxi on an hourly basis and being driven around to the sights of the island. The standard rate for this service is around 3,000 per hour; however for larger blocks of time it is common to negotiate the price. There are a few companies that operate with English speaking taxi cab drivers in Okinawa.

If you’re going to choose to use a taxi be aware that it isn’t going to be cheap. The basic fare for just getting in the door of a small sized taxi cab is 500 yen for the first 1.8km (1.1 miles). Then the meter will increase at 60 yen for each additional 359 meters (quarter mile). It adds up quickly and it is common to spend as much as $20 on the average cab ride. There are advantages to using a taxi sometimes though because they will take you to exactly where you need to go and not just to the general vicinity.

If you’ll be traveling with other people it may not be such an impact on your wallet when using a taxi in Okinawa. The truth of the matter is you can afford a taxi ride if you are willing to plan ahead and carpool with a few of your friends. A taxi ride can be an affordable, relaxing convenience if shared between yourself and a few friends. There is no need to miss many of the events being held on island and, more importantly, there’s no need to drink and drive. Don't let your transportation woes force you to miss some of the best that Okinawa has to offer.

I suppose a few of you out there may be planning to partake in some Awamori or Orion beer after attending some of the events. If you arrived at your drinking establishment by car and suddenly realize that Awamori is a bit stronger spirit than you expected then there is an important service that I should make you aware of. It’s called Daiko, and it’s a safe way to get you and your car home when you’re too tired to drive or have had a few too many alcoholic beverages.

How it works is when a customer calls to request the service, two drivers and a taxi will be dispatched to the location requested. One driver will provide the customer with a ride and the other driver will drive the customer’s car to the final destination. If an individual uses a Daiko service they will be required to ride in the taxi, verses their own car due to insurance reasons. Here is a video that covers what Daiko service is all about.

In Okinawa there are a few taxi companies you can call that speak English. These companies will come to you if you give them a ring. Taxi Company Okito has been at work training its drivers in English conversation to raise their level of service for English-speaking customers. This eliminates much of the difficulty of trying to explain your destination to drivers who cannot speak English.

Note the Authorized on Base sign on this Taxi

Also, if you are commuting to or from a military base, please make sure that your cab has a written sign on the side that reads "Authorized on Base." The following taxi companies provide pick-up services on Okinawa and have taxis that are authorized to go on military bases.

Okito Taxi (0120) 21-5005 English Available (Toll Free)

(098) 946-5005 English Available

Meiho Taxi (098) 937-2467 English Available

Sanyo Taxi (098) 936-7027 English Not Available

Futaba Taxi (098) 898-2028 English Not Available

Toho Taxi (098) 936-6393 English Not Available

Okinawa Monorail Yui Rail ゆいレール

2011-07-26T22:22:00.001-05:00

Going early to Okinawa so you can attend the Otsunahiki? Are you going to have free time between otsunahiki and the uchinanchu festival? If you’re going to be in Okinawa you’ll need to know how to get around and know what to do during the down time between festivals. Transportation is expensive in Okinawa and you’ll need to have a plan if you’re going to maximize both your budget and your time. I’ve decided to help you out a bit here on the blog by explaining your options.

I lived on Okinawa for nearly ten years during the eighties and nineties but things were a lot different back then. For one thing the yen rate was between 150 to 200 yen to the dollar at that time not the 78 yen per dollar you’re going to get during the festival this year. By knowing your options you may be able to save yourself a little money.

There are several forms of transportation on the island and I will cover them in the next few days. Your choices will include rental cars, buses, taxies, and a monorail system that runs between the Airport and Shuri right through the heart of Naha city. Today I’ll talk specifically about using the Monorail.

Okinawa Monorail Yui Rail ゆいレール

I like historical things so let’s begin with a bit of history about electric rail in Okinawa. The first electric railway was established in 1911 by Saiga Tokichi the operator of Saiga Electric Company of Kyoto. He created the Okinawa Electric Railway which linked Naha to Shuri with a trolley line. The trolley line did well until the introduction of buses on the island. It lasted until 1933 when the line ceased its operations due to the loss of passengers brought about by the competition with buses. In Okinawa it’s really hard to find old photographs but thanks to military photographers on island after the battle for Okinawa I was able to find a picture of a trolley car on Okinawa that had been there prior to the war. I believe therefore that this must have been one of the Okinawa Electric Railway Trolley cars.

Okinawa Electric Trolley Car (1945)

The Okinawa Toshi Monorēru a Monorail called the Yui Rail (ゆいレール)

The Yui Rail Travels Above the Street Level

Today’s monorail system is about as far from the original trolley design as one can imagine. Construction on the line began in 1996 and the when finished in 2003 the new Okinawa Monorail system gave the Okinawan people and tourists alike an alternative to the bus once again. This state of the art monorail was designed to overcome the severe congestion in the capitol city of Naha. The line runs for 13 kilometers from the Naha airport through Naha city all the way to Shuri. It really is the perfect form of transportation for those staying in Naha.

Conductors are Available to Assist You

When the wife and I visited for the 4th Uchinanchu Festival in 2006 we rode the monorail and it was a very affordable alternative to using a taxi. To ride the monorail you will need to purchase a ticket up on the platform. The cost of the fare is relative to the distance from starting station to destination station. Distances are rounded up to the nearest 1km. Children’s fares are half of adult's fares and are rounded up to nearest 10yen. The rates I found online are between 200 and 300 yen or about $3.85 to ride the entire distance. Not bad for a 13 Km ride.

Purchase Your Ticket on the Platform

Put your Ticket in the end of the Turnstyle

Your Ticket Will Pop Out the Other End

Your now Ready to ride the Monorail.

Have Fun and enjoy the Festival!

Here are the stops along the line.
There are 15 stations on the line.

Station name       Japanese        Total distance Location

Naha-kūkō        那覇空港       0 km Naha, Okinawa
Akamine            赤嶺               1.95 km
Oroku               小禄                2.71 km
Ōnoyama-kōen 奥武山公園    3.68 km      This is the stop where the festival will be held
Tsubogawa        壺川               4.52 km
Asahibashi         旭橋               5.33 km
Kenchō-mae     県庁前           5.91 km
Miebashi           美栄橋           6.63 km
Makishi             牧志              7.61 km
Asato                安里               8.2 km
Omoromachi     おもろまち 8.95 km
Furujima            古島               9.96 km
Shiritsu-byōin-mae 市立病院前 10.88 km
Gibo                  儀保       11.84 km
Shuri                 首里               12.84 km

Other Okinawa monorail Yui Rail ゆいレール Information
The monorail is a business venture between the prefecture and a private enterprise.

How to ride the Yui Rail

The following describes how to buy and use a regular ticket (Futsu Joshaken) on the Yui Rail, monorail in Naha City Okinawa.

Once you arrive at a monorail station, the first thing you'll need to do is buy a ticket. Find your destination on the fare table located above the ticket vending machines, this will be listed in Japanese characters (kanji) and Romanized (English) letters, it will also show the cost to that station. Put the fare (coins, bills, or card) into the ticket vending machine. Then comes the challenge, match the English station name with Japanese character (kanji) on the ticket machine. Press the button for your destination and the machine will dispense your ticket. If you need a ticket for a child make sure to press the children button before you press the destination button as children fares are less expensive. If you have any problems with this process each monorail station in Naha has staff that can help.

After you have your ticket you can proceed through the station’s gates by placing your ticket in the slot on the right side of the gate. Be sure to grab it as it comes out on the other side as you will need it to get out at your destination.

Next, head toward the platform, following the sign for the train heading the direction you need to go. You can either go North toward Shuri or South toward Naha-Kuko.

Lastly, when you arrive at your destination station exit by inserting your ticket as you go through the opposite way as you did when entering. Regular ticket will disappear in to the slot but if you purchased an all-day pass, do not forget to pick it up on the other side. If you travel further then the ticket purchased, the gate will close and station staff will come to collect the remaining fare or you can pay the difference at the fare-adjustment window.

Operating times
- The first train starts each day at 06:00 and the last train departs at 23:30
- During rush hours 08:00 – 09:00 trains arrive at stations at 6.5 minute intervals
- The rest of the day trains arrive at station at 7.5 – 15 minute intervals

FARES

Regular Ticket (Futsu Joshaken)

The cost of fares is relative to the distance from starting station to destination station. Distances are rounded up to the nearest 1km. Children’s fares are half of adult's fares and are rounded up to nearest 10yen.

Pre-paid card (Yui card)

Pre-paid cards are a convenient way to use the monorail as you don’t have to think of the cost to each destination or take the time to use the ticket vending machines every time you go somewhere. Cards are available in 1000 yen, 3000 yen, and 5000 yen increments.

To buy a Yui Card simply put coins or bills in to a ticket vending machine and press the button showing "Card" and then the fare button. To use the card simply put it in the ticket slot when entering a gate the same way you would a ticket. Don’t forget to grab it on the other side when both entering and exiting a monorail station.

Multi-ride Ticket (Kaisuu Joshaken)
Multi-ride tickets are another way to save a bit of money on monorail fare. These passes are good for 6 month after the date of purchase.

To buy a multi-ride ticket put coins or bills (Yui cards can’t be used) into the ticket vending machine and press the "Kaisuuken" button and then the station button. Muli-ride Tickets are good for 10 rides.

Open ticket
If you are traveling around Naha for the day and plan on using the Yui Rail to see the sights, an open ticket might be your best option. These tickets allow for unlimited use of the monorail for one, two, or three days for a set price.

To purchase these tickets simply press the button on a ticket vending machine labeled "One day open ticket" and then the "1 day" “2 days” or “3 days” button.

If you have problems purchasing an open ticket and need to ask the station staff for help here are the Japanese names for them:

One day open ticket: "Ichinichi Joshaken"
Two days open ticket: "Futsuka Joshaken"
Three days open ticket: "Mikka Joshaken"

God Luck and Have Fun!

Narai no Kanata Chosen as the Theme to the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival

2011-07-25T09:51:00.001-05:00

I just found out that the theme song Nirai no Kanata has been chosen as the official song representing the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival. Here is the article I found in the Ryukyu Shimpo yesterday while looking for news abouth the festival online. Look for Hello Kitty in the side bar.

Borrowed from the June 30, 2011 Ryukyu Shimpo

Nirai no Kanata (Beyond Nirai) was selected as the theme song for the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, which is scheduled to be held over four days starting on October 13th 2011.

Composer Katsushi Arakaki wrote the music and lyrics and Natchy (Whose real name is Nanami Yamada) sings the song. Natchy is a second year student at Okinawa Higashi Junior High School in Okinawa City. The song was picked from a total of 18 entries that had been submitted for the theme. Submissions were received both from home and abroad.

A press conference and award ceremony for the selection of the theme song was held at the Kenmin Hiroba in Naha on June 29. Natchy gave it her all when she sang at the ceremony.

Hidenobu Chinen, the head of the Executive Committee for the festival, delivered a congratulatory speech, saying that Nirai no Kanata was head and shoulders above all the other entries.

Katsushi Arakaki (on the right), who wrote the music and lyrics of Nirai no kanata, the theme song for the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival and singer Natchy at the Kenmin Hiroba in Naha City on June 29, 2011.

Arakaki said, “Uchinanchu went abroad in search of their dreams and hopes. I wrote this song in the hope that the feeling for Okinawa from people in foreign countries and that of overseas immigrants’ for Okinawa could be brought together, giving a tremendous boost to the festival.”

Natchy said, “I would like to sing this song to help convey all that is good about Okinawa.”

The lyrics of the song say, “Echo the soul of this beautiful island like a smile taught by a red flower. Bring a prayer from this beautiful island. Beyond Nirai, a prayer for peace for all eternity.” Nirai is the place beyond the oceans which ancient Okinawan people believed was the world of gods.

(English Translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey）Tweaked a little by me.

Okinawa Has Multiple Festivals During October

2011-07-24T13:56:00.003-05:00

Multiple Festivals will take place in close proximity to one another this October in Okinawa. As everyone probably knows, that is when the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival will takes place. But don't just go there to participate in the Uchinanchu festival. Go a few day early and catch the fun at the Naha festival as well.

If you arrive in Okinawa prior to the Uchinanchu festival you should try to be in Naha on the 8th and 9th of October. There will be the Naha Festival which is the lead up to the annual Otsunahiki (Tug of War). This year will be the 41st year for the event which welcomes all to participate by pulling the rope either for the East or the West. The choice is totally up to you. The best part though is that its free and is really a great time. Here is a video I took in 2006 the last time I attended the Otsunahiki. It's kind of low quality and a little bit too long but it gives you the idea of what you'll be in for.

The fun begins on Kokusai street in downtown Naha with a parade of banners, hung from huge bamboo poles. All throughout the parade route various members of the teams take turns balancing the poles in the air single-handedly. It is a show of strength and when the balancing member gets tired he must hand off the pole to another team member without letting the pole hit the ground. The banners represent the seven districts of the east and the seven districts of the west. The teams carry the banners escorted by eisa drummers and and other traditionally garbed people.

You will see and hear many things during the parade with loud traditional finger whistles peircing the air as well as the sound of firecrackers gongs and drums. The parades route leads to Komoji Corner on Highway 58 where the highway will be blocked off for the huge tug of war. Many young men wearing the black special uniforms called "Mumunuchihanta" participate in this parade. There are 14 committees and the flags represent symbols of good-luck to the areas where they live. It is very difficult to walk and hold the flags. So the young men are very proud to participate in the parade by holding the flags of their districts.

During the festival the busy Kumoji intersection of Route 58 will be completely cleared, with the road divider removed for the event. They do this to make way for the gigantic rope used in the tug of war. It's a Guinness World Record holder, measuring 200m (656 feet) in length, and weighing more than 40 metric tons (44 American tons)!

This event definately needs more than 15,000 people in order to pull the rope, and that means we need you too! So come join in the fun. It will become a lifelong memory for you. Then after the tug of war is over, don't forget to take home a pieces of the rope as it is believed to bring good luck for the rest of the coming year.

Otsunahiki Information

So that means we can attend the Otsunahiki (Naha Festival) on October 9th and then move into the week of the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival (WUF) which begins with another parade on Wednesday evening. I discovered something interesting about the festival today when reading the Ryukyu Shimpo. I discovered that another festival called the Worldwide Eisa Festival is being combined with the WUF on October 15th. Here is the article I found.

Worldwide Eisa Festival to be held on October 15

In the afternoon of July 6, at the Prefecture Reporters Club, singer songwriter Kazufumi Miyazawa (center) talked about the Worldwide Eisa Festival.

July 7, 2011 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Worldwide Eisa Festival 2011, which aims to establish a new style of “participatory Eisa” as a world standard, is scheduled to be held at Onoyama Stadium in Naha City on October 15 and 16.

While the festival has been held under the name “The National Eisa Festival” until last year, it has changed its name in association with the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival scheduled to be held at the same time in October.

The Worldwide Eisa Festival 2011 includes a “Creative Eisa Contest,” which invites various groups from within the prefecture, other prefectures and overseas to compete to impress and energize the audience and deliver something creative, “Traditional Eisa,” in which 18 groups of junior troupes from the prefecture are scheduled to participate, and “Chimdon Stage," (Get Excited Stage) in which the groups that want to exhibit Eisa and drum performance strive to entertain the audience.

At a press conference held on July 6, Daiichi Hirata, a member of the Festival Executive Committee and the head of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sports in the Okinawa Prefectural Government, said, “While we respect traditional Eisa and think that creative Eisa does allow young people to more easily participate, we want to create a new style of Eisa, one that is even more participatory and interactive, a style through which people will be able to start new friendships.”

Singer songwriter Kazufumi Miyazawa, who composed and sings Shinkanucha (Fellowship), a song for the “Creative Eisa Contest,” said, “There are many people like myself living in other prefectures and other countries of the world who love Okinawa and are concerned about its future. I wrote this song in the wish that those people’s hearts would be united.”

For further details and for applications, call the Worldwide Eisa Festival 2011 Executive Office at 098 (867) 2622. For the official website for the festival, access

http://www.eisa-okinawa.com/

Then if your still around at the end of October you can attend the Shurijo Castle festival on October 28-30 2011. At this festival you can feel the pleasant autumn breeze, and visit Shurijo Castle to travel back in time to the Ryukyu Kingdom era! The festival will feature Ryukyu dance performances and recreation of Ryukyu King Coronation Ceremony by Chinese envoys.

The highlight of the festival, magnificent Ryukyu Dynasty Procession, will take your breath away, as a cast of 1,500 performers parade down the vibrant Kokusai Street in colorful and gorgeous costumes. Meet the dignified King of Ryukyu, elegant Queen, and numbers of Kingdom officials and entertainment parties. It is more than just a dress-up. It is a revival of the prosperous Ryukyu Dynasty into the present!

Shurijo Castle Festival

The 5th World Uchinanchu Festival is coming! Here's the Scoop.

2011-07-22T15:46:00.002-05:00

The first World Uchinanchu Festival was held in 1990 to promote cultural awareness among Okinawans and their friends and relatives scattered around the globe. It has since become a tremendous promotional event for Okinawa Prefecture. Each time the festival is held it seems to attract more and more overseas participants which are wonderful for the Okinawan economy.

The planning that goes into this event is tremendous and the Okinawa prefecture really goes all out to welcome back uchinanchu people who many times have been long removed from their Okinawan culture. This year’s festival will take place on October 12th through the 16th and includes many cultural events.

It all begins unofficially on the eve of the actual event October 12, 2011 from 4pm to 6pm on a street called Kokusai Dori. Okinawa Kenjinkais from around the world converge on Kokusai Dori a downtown street in the capitol city of Naha for a festival eve parade. These groups form up with their associations and parade from one end of the two mile stretch to the other in garb that is representative of the areas around the globe from where they came. It is a joyous occasion and is quite a sight with both tourists and Okinawan relatives alike lining the sides of the street to catch a glimpse of the spectacle their returning loved ones in the parade.

In the past the event has been mainly focused on these uchinanchu visitors returning from abroad to their homeland. This time though I have heard there will be an effort to bring the more members of the general public to the festival grounds to participate. This is probably the reason they picked the Okinawa Cellular stadium as one of the main venues for the event.

There are a number of events that will take place during the festival at different venues. Some are exclusively for visitor from overseas and others are open to the general public. My wife and I attended the festival in 2006 and it is simply amazing the amount of effort that the Okinawan people put into this event.

There will be a champuru exchange festival and a world bazaar which runs from Friday (10/14) through Sunday (10/16) at the stadium in Naha. These are two of the events that will be open to all including the general public. I particularly liked the world bazaar because there were booths of all sorts and one gets the feeling of a carnival atmosphere. There were plenty of cultural foods available including many from South America where many Uchinanchu emigrated at the turn of the 20th century. At the last festival the empanadas were my personal favorites as they were made fresh right there on the spot. Nothing like fried food Mmmmm! There is also an outdoor stage where continuous performers display their talents. Okinawan music abounds as well as other forms of entertainment.

There will be a dedicatory Karate and Dance performance on the 13th and 14th during the festival demonstrating how Karate and Okinawan Odori are intertwined. Performances are at 11:00am to 4:50pm on Thursday and Friday. Other events include a Soccer Tournament that is being hosted at the Okinawa Cellular Stadium on Friday October 14th from 10 am to 5pm and an International Gate ball Tournament which will be held in the same location the following day from 8:30 am to 5:30pm. A Karate and Kobudo Exchange Festival also takes place on Friday and Saturday at the Budokan Martial Arts Hall at Onoyama Park and there will be the NHK Nodojiman singing contest held on Saturday and Sunday at the Naha Citizens Hall.

Click Here for a Calendar of Events

Registered participants with overseas groups have a tremendous opportunity during the festival as there is a structured flow to the events they can participate in. Events include formal opening and closing ceremonies, and a special performance of King Sho Hashi - Dynamic Ryukyu. They can also participate in the world business fair to strengthen business ties around the world with Okinawan businesses.

The 5th World Uchinanchu Festival is being organized by the Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa International Exchange and Human Resources Development Foundation, and the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau. Support is also being provided by the Cabinet Office, Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, The Japan Foundation, the Okinawa Prefecture Board of Education, and cities, towns and villages across Okinawa.

The Festival Goal is to prepare the next generation of Okinawans to carry on the achievements of previous generations and maintain, deepen and enrich the network of Uchinanchu around the world.

Organizers for the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival say it has three specific goals for participants and spectators to take away: First to confirm the Okinawan identity, the core and essential basis of the Uchinanchu Network, second to nurture and prepare those upon whom the future of the Uchinanchu Network depends, and third to contribute to the continued expansion of all phases of Okinawa Prefecture's global relationships as we look to the future.

Our gracious hosts have done much to make your experience a memorable one. They have accomplished a great task in your honor so let's help them make the event successful! Also, please be gracious and thank the representatives and organizers you meet during your stay. For once we meet we are all brothers and sisters.

Click Here for a Calendar of Events

Official Web Site for the Festival

Nuchi du Takara - Live is a Treasure

2011-07-13T23:40:00.001-05:00

I have a friend in Northern California whose mother is Okinawan and whose Father is American. She is one of many children brought into the world as a result of Americas occupation of Okinawa after WWII. She is a recent Berkely University Graduate and has been working on grant to produce the following film. Here is the email I received from her recently.

Hey family and friends,

For the past 6 months or so, I have been working on a very short film project documenting the stories of Okinawan women in Northern California who survived the Battle of Okinawa with the support of a major grant. The film was co-produced by: Wesley Uenten, Keiko Yamanaka, Daisuke Miyake of Crosswater Productions, and myself. Our team of two prominent professors, a professional filmmaker, and myself collected many stories and whittled those many hours of interviewing down to 15 minutes to be put into a video for high school and college students in the US. It was a long and painful process (we wanted to include so many stories, angles, issues-- but they just wouldn't fit into the 15 min format required by the grant). The video is being shared temporarily on youtube (link below). I narrated the film and interviewed some of the women featured. It's still going through a few transformations (clarifying the narration) before it's made into the actual film to be distributed to schools and universities.

My mom and my auntie Aiko is shown at the very end in the form of a quick picture in the collage. I hope you all enjoy it. It's only 15 minutes. Please wait for the full length version after my return from Okinawa!

love,

mitzi

Well I asked and was granted permission to use the film on Youtube to coincide with my project site as Uchina Goodwill Ambassador. I hope you all enjoy it as it is a great piece of film to help future generations remember the horrors of war.

Here's the film

Goya Trellis in my Garden

2011-07-01T19:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I spent my day building a trellis for my garden. I already had some trellis from last years Goya crop but because I expect good results in the garden this year and the fact that we are not only growing Goya but also Lufa gourds which are a type of gourd from Okinawa that is good for soup. We are not sure that they will grow here in our northern climate but we are hoping! Anyway here is a short video of how I spent my day yesterday. Enjoy!!

Finally Summer a time for bitter-melon

2011-06-30T06:59:00.000-05:00

As some of you already know I like to grow GOYA or if you prefer bitter melon. I did a post last year about it if you dig back through the archives. This year I was a bit worried because the spring was exceptionally cool this year here in Wisconsin and goya like hot weather. We planted seeds from last ears planting around mothers day but nothing sprouted. Ithen replanted more seeds from last year and when the weather began to warm into the 70's we saw sprouts bust through the soil. The seedlings look very healthy this year so we are hoping the grow fast and produce fruit. Here are some pictures I took over the past few days. There is a warm front moving in today that is suppose to take us into the 90's and upper 80's so we're hoping for a growth spirt from our plants. I'll keep you posted.

Be back soon!

Imagine Celebrating 112 Birthdays - カメさん１１２歳誕生会

2011-06-23T08:13:00.000-05:00

Recently Kame Takamiyaki celebrated her 112th birthday at Daimyo nursing home in Naha, Okinawa. In Okinawa they celebrate old age and reaching the milestone of 112 was no regular birthday. Takamiyaki was dressed in a traditional yellow bingata kimono with crimson markings. There was a family gathering with the residents of the center and everyone expressed their birthday wishes to Takamiyaki san.

Here is a video of the celebration. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone treated the old with respect?

Governor Nakaima Traveling to Promote Participation in the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival

2011-06-17T08:34:00.002-05:00

The 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival is now on the horizon and Okinawa's Governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, is traveling to promote the participation of Uchinanchu from around the world. I recently received correspondence from Akira Kobasigawa, a fellow Okinawa Goodwill Ambassador. He informed me that the Governor was traveling in support of the Uchinanchu Taikai and sent me an article about the Canadian leg of the Governor's trip. Here is a copy of that article.

Governor Nakaima and His Caravan Visit Two Canadian Okinawa Kenjinkais in Preparation for Uchinanchu Festival

To propagate the Executive Committee's exciting plans for the forthcoming 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, the caravan group led by Governor Hirokazu Nakaima from Okinawa arrived in Calgary, Alberta on June 1. The group visited Lethbridge on the following day.

On the first day, the caravan group held their Festival Information meeting at the Japanese Village Steak House with 24 representatives of the Calgary Okinawan Club (the President is Seiichi Yamashiro). On the second day, 50 members of the Lethbridge Okinawa Cultural Society (the President is Yoshitaka Kinjo) attended the information meeting held at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel. At these meetings, Governor Nakaima made a strong appeal for Kenjinkai members' enthusiastic participation in the Festival.

To rouse the attendees, the caravan group indulged in enjoyable recollection of various aspects of the 4th Uchinanchu Festival held in 2006. They explained that the logo for the 5th Festival represents a combination of the famous Okinawa Kacha-shi dancing and the Chinese character 「心」meaning “heart.”

Mr. Daiichi Hirata, Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sport, played an Okinawa lullaby on the flute for the attendees. The inclusion of the Kacha-shi Dance literally brought the meeting to its feet.

Of the four Okinawa kenjinkais' in Canada, the Lethbridge is the largest with approximately 400 members. They plan to send 50-plus members to the Festival. Statements made by some attendees clearly indicated that they could hardly wait for October 13, the day the Festival begins.

Governor Nakaima responded with an emphatic tone: “I will liven up the Festival just as you are expecting.” A reporter of the Okinawa Times, Rinko Sadoyama observed: Governor Nakaima expressed his amazement about the many Okinawans who had achieved apparent success in placing themselves in radically different societies from which they originally came. These dispersed Okinawans adapted and took on important roles, confidently blending into their new cultures.

According to Sadoyama, one of the ideas that Governor Nakaima presented for the forthcoming festival was to hold an engaging discussion on the topic of the many and varied ways in which people live. One would imagine that such an exchange among the residents and those who had travelled away, as well as those newly introduced to Okinawa, would draw high interest and participation.

Believed to have been one of the first settlers in Canada from Okinawa is the individual Yasuanno Makishi. When interviewed by the Okinawa Times reporter, Mary Nago (89 years of age and the daughter of Mr. Makishi), reminisced: “I visited Okinawa only once while attending the third Uchinanchu Festival. Still, that experience in which I saw my father's hometown, has stayed with me as a very happy memory.”

Additional coverage of Governor Nakaima's visit has been noted locally via the Lethbridge Herald. After Lethbridge, the caravan moves on to New York and then Los Angels. Their final stop is Hawaii. The caravan's “mission” in North America ends on June 10.

After Calgary the Governor headed to New York so I researched the visit and found the following.

During his stay in New York, Governor Nakaima attended a meeting of the Okinawa American Association of New York (OAANY). The non-profit organization is comprised of native Okinawans and people of Okinawan descent living in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

At the meeting, Governor Nakaima personally shook the hands of each person in attendance and his delegation, casually attired in traditional Okinawan Kariyushi shirts, appealed to OAANY members to join their fellow Okinawans from around the world and visit their ancestral homeland this October. They told of the ceremonies, parades, tours, educational outreach, and camaraderie that would happen during the festival and shared a promotional video from the most recent festival, in 2006. Traditional eisa and dance performances, karate demonstrations, and the chance to meet and mingle with Okinawans from other countries are a few of the highlights.

The Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival however isn’t simply about parades and dancing. Festival attendees have the sobering opportunity to visit World War II battle sites and other historic landmarks such as the World Peace Park in Itoman. Exhibits trace the history of the Okinawan diaspora, which stretches worldwide, especially in North and South America.

The Governor’s associates also treated the OAANY members to a live performance. Led by Daiichi Hirata, Director General of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the delegation gave a rousing rendition of a traditional Okinawan eisa dance.

When the Governor left New York he and his delegation headed for California where they met with 70 representatives of the Okinawa Association of America (OAA, Kimiko Goya, President) at their Center in Gardena, California.

(Photo: Courtesy of Rinko Sadoyama, the Okinawa Times)

At the informational meeting, Governor Nakaima made a strong appeal for Kenjinkai members' enthusiasm to participate in the Festival. The OAA members welcomed the caravan group by performing Ryukyu dances. Here is a photo of a couple dancing a traditional folk dance called Tanchame.

(Photo: Courtesy of Rinko Sadoyama, the Okinawa Times)

At the welcome party, there was also a performance by Mr. Daiichi Hirata, Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sport. The performance was of an eisa folk dance, performed together with the members of the Los Angeles Branch, of the Ryukyu Kokusaidori Taiko. It was truly a delight to watch.

(photo: Courtesy of Rinko Sadoyama, the Okinawa Times)

The Governor also made a stop in Redondo Beach where I found the following about his visit.

Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of the Okinawa Prefecture is the highest ranking official from Japan to ever visit Redondo Beach. Nakaima, was greeted by Mayor Mike Gin and officials from the Beach Cities Health District and the Redondo Beach Unified School District. The governor was told of a program there called the “walking moai” program that has been launched as part of the Vitality City public health initiative.

Governor Nakaima was surprised to learn that "moai" is a term from his homeland of Okinawa and that Okinawa has become particularly relevant to Redondo Beach and the rest of the beach cities in recent months. He was told of the ambitious three year program that intends to create a national model for implementing community-wide healthier living – based in part on research from Okinawa.

National Geographic explorer and Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner studied the island of Okinawa for lessons in human health and longevity. Okinawans, he discovered, reach the age of 100 at a rate three times higher than Americans, live seven healthy years longer, and suffer one-fifth the rate of heart disease. Women live an average of 86 years, and men 78. According to Buettner’s research, the difference lay less in genetics and more in lifestyle.

Mayor Gin, in his remarks, referred to two key concepts from Okinawa: “ikigai” and “moai.” Ikagi is an Okinawan term referring to a sense of purpose, or reason for getting up in the morning; moai means “meeting together for a common purpose” and refers to a practice in some parts of Okinawa in which a group of children is bonded together for life at the age of five.

“A sense of purpose and a sense of connection to our community – these are the types of things we want to learn from the program” Gin said to Nakaima. “So we are particularly excited to have you here today.” Gin, who visited Okinawa as part of a city delegation a few years ago, also noted that Redondo hopes to form a “sister city” alliance with an Okinawan city.

A third Okinawan concept was also discussed as part of the principles for longevity: “hara hachi bu,” a Confucian-based adage that means one should eat only until one is 80 percent full. Governor Nakaima spoke proudly of Okinawa’s lessons in longevity, but also said that things are changing – women still live long lives, but men are tending to die younger with the increasing influence of more Western diets and lifestyles. “After the end of World War Two, we had a relationship with America because we had bases in Okinawa,” Nakaima said. “And we have now learned to eat McDonald’s and Big Macs…so I think we may need to improve this lifestyle, and we can do it together.”

Nakaima said Okinawa would watch the results of the Vitality City initiative closely and try to learn lessons about how to reintroduce its people to healthier lifestyles. “I believe we have a lot in common, the people of Okinawa and the people of this city. We have a lot to learn from each other.”

The Governor's Caravan finished up their promotional tour on June 8th 2011 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center, Legacy Ballroom. Their trip was a sucessful one and got the juices flowing for many who are now looking forward to an exciting trip come this October. If you would like more information visit the english link for news about the 5th World Uchinanchu Festival coming the 12th through the 16th of October.

The festival which is held on Okinawa’s main island is only held every five years. It’s a celebration of Okinawa’s rich culture and history and dating back to when Okinawa was a kingdom and not part of Japan. The culture at that time was heavily influenced by China at that time because of the robust trade relationship the kingdom had with the Chinese.

Here is a promotional Video for the 5th Uchinanchu TaiKai

Special thanks to Akira Kobasiga who helped in gathering information about the Governors Visit.

Cave of Todoroki

2011-06-10T11:39:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, Today I wanted to share with you an interesting interactive panoramic photo. I borrowed this from the web so I'm not taking credit for it but it was just too good not to share. You'll need quicktime installed to view it but most computers will already have it installed. Here's the story:

There are many natural caves of various sizes in the southern section of the Okinawa's main island. They are called Gama in the islands where during the midst of the Battle for Okinawa, they were used by both the Japanese army and Okinawan citizens’ for refuge from the fighting.

The cave of Todoroki is a natural cave in Itoman city. It consists of perpendicular and cylindrical doline with a center diameter of about 30 meters. The cave also has groundwater which flows through it. In it Okinawans faced the worst of both sides of the battle.

During the battle hundreds of Okinawan citizens took refuge in the cave as well as tens of Japanese soldiers. It is said that there was a baby who was screaming out from hunger and was strangled to death by a Japanese soldier to prevent giving away their position to the Americans. Okinawans who were going to surrender and others who spoke the local dialect were also killed by the Japanese soldiers as spies. Okinawan citizens were also made to leave the shelter of the cave dispite the intense gunfire. There was little food and some of the children also starved to death in this cave.

Then when surrender advice was not followed the US Forces, without distinguishing between Okinawan citizens and the Japanese army, threw the bombs or hand grenades into the cave. Later in the battle, Lieutenant-General Simon Buckner was killed in the by Japanese artillery bombardment at Maesato village on June 18, 1945. It is said that the US forces killed all of the civilians and POWs in retaliation.

This panorama photo is taken in the the direction of the center of the cave near the entrance of Todoroki cave.

Today, these caves are included in the courses given to junior and high school students, as a part of peace education in Japan and for the renunciation of war as a time when people can do vicarious deeds.

Interactive view the inside the cave click here

Here it is in Japanese

轟の壕

沖縄本島南部には、ガマと呼ばれる大小様々な自然洞窟がありました。沖縄戦の最中は、軍隊および住民の避難壕として使用されていました。轟の壕は、糸満市糸敷にある自然洞窟で、直径30mほどの円筒形の垂直のドリーネ、中段の洞窟、さらにその下の方には地下水が流れる洞窟が続いていました。

当時、轟の壕には数百人の住民が避難しており、その後、数十人の日本兵が敗走してきました。壕の中では、米軍に見つかるからと、空腹で泣き叫ぶ赤ん坊が日本兵に絞め殺され、投降しようとする住民や沖縄の方言を話す住民はスパイとして斬り殺され、米軍の激しい掃討作戦の中、避難壕から住民が追い出され、壕内で餓死する子供もいたと言われています。一方、米軍は、投降勧告に従わない場合、住民、軍の区別なく容赦なく爆弾、手榴弾を壕に投げ込んでいきました。また、6月18日、真栄里で日本軍の砲撃により米軍のバックナー司令官が戦死すると、米軍は、報復戦として、民間人、投降者も殺害したと言われています。

このパノラマは、轟の壕の入り口付近から中段の洞窟方向を撮影したものです。

現在、こうした壕は、中学校、高等学校の修学旅行のコースに組み込まれ、戦争の追体験ができる場所として、二度と戦争を繰り返さないための平和教育の一部として活用されています。

Information borrowed from the Panoramas of WWII Landmarks web site.