CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Shiimi: A time to remember and honor th… [CULTURE]
April marks the beginning of one of Okinawa’s most important and sacred religious ceremonies, known locally as shiimi. This particular cerem...Read More
Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day… [History Travel & Beach]
April 3rd is the “Day of Shisa” in Okinawa as four (April) is “shi” and three is “san” in Japanese. The day was established in 2002 to promo...Read More
Sanshin, The Heart and Soul of Okinawa [CULTURE]
The sanshin is easily the most recognizable musical instrument in Okinawa. Its distinctive, high-pitched sound can be heard throughout the i...Read More
2013.03.01
Hina Matsuri celebrates girls by showcasing doll displays [CULTURE]
The custom of displaying dolls takes center stage March 3rd, as Japan celebrates with a Girls Day festival, the Hina Matsuri. The centuries-old festival traces back to the Edo Peri...
2013.02.26
Himeyuri Peace Exhibition moves toward March conclusion [History]
A five-month Himeyuri Peace Museum Exhibition chronicling accounts of the final days of the Battle of Okinawa, and the experiences of Himeyuri students who survived the period, wil...
2013.02.26
Tunnel walls document final hours of battle [History]
By Bill Charles A careful walk down the narrow winding steps from atop an Oroku hill to the tunnel maze sets the hairs on end. History is chronicled in many ways, and the stark ima...
2013.02.26
Tsuikin technique for Ryukyu lacquerware unveiled [CULTURE]
Dozens of Ryukyu lacquer ware items produced in an ancient Tsuikin style are being unveiled to the public tomorrow at a month-long Tsuikin Exhibition at the Urasoe City Museum. “Ts...
2013.02.26
Leading animation studio to entertain Okinawa [CULTURE]
The art of animation is a modern day key to creating entertaining documentaries and motion pictures, and the secrets behind great productions are being unveiled beginning tomorrow ...
2013.02.17
Traditional textiles and bingata at OIST [History]
An Okinawa traditional textiles and bingata show is being staged at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology beginning Monday, but there’s more than just displays. OIST is w...
2013.02.17
Yutaka Sado to lead Tokyo Philharmonic in Okinawa concert [CULTURE]
One of Japan’s most notable conductors will lead the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra during a special concert at the Okinawa Convention Center on Monday. Yutaka Sado, the last pu...
2013.02.15
NPO staging Issaigassai Festival in Onna-son [Community]
More than 60 stores are coming together Sunday at Onna-son for the Issaigassai Festival sponsored by the NPO corporation Fureai Net Onna. The 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. festival is geared fo...
2013.02.15
Ogimi Village celebrates Camellia Festival with show, tours, music [Community]
Working a theme of nature and the camellia, Ogimi Village is this weekend celebrating the 3rd Ogimi Camellia Festival. “The woods walk tour of limestone”, which provides a glimpse ...
2013.02.15
Koza Ginten Festival Saturday brings mainland students [Community]
Students from Kanagawa Prefecture will join the Koza Ginten Festival this Saturday, commemorating the Ginten arcade in Koza. The Koza Gineten Festival, the Ginetengai, takes place ...
2013.02.13
Friendship Seminar looks at the CARICOM countries [Community]
Antigua Barbuda. Republic of Guyana. Grenada. Jamaica. Republic of Suriname. Saint Christopher and Nevis. Barbados. Republic of Haiti. Commonwealth of Dominica. Republic Trini...
2013.02.12
Yomitan’s trademark Yachimun Pottery on display [CULTURE]
It happens only once a year, when the pottery artisans of Yomitan Village band together to have a super pottery event, the Yomitan Yachimun Exhibition. Beginning Wednesday, and run...
2013.02.10
Ichiro Kikuta brings paintings to life with single color [CULTURE]
One of the most famous ink wash painters in Okinawa, is bringing his monochrome technique to an exhibition at the Urasoe City Art Museum beginning on Wednesday. Ichiro Kikuta is w...
2013.02.08
Prefectural Museum offers insights into French queen [History]
Queen Marie Antoinette was the most famous queen in the history of France, and she’s the sole topic of an exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum. The Marie Antoinette Exhibit...
2013.02.07
Uruma City brings out the bulls on Sunday [CULTURE]
Bullfights in Okinawa aren’t like those in Spain or other countries, but the excitement levels reach much the same pitch in Uruma City’s Ishikawa Dome, where the bulls will be the ...
2013.02.07
Lunar New Year ushered in this weekend [Community]
Unless someone ventures into Itoman City this weekend, it’s unlikely that anyone would realize that Sunday is Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year...
2013.01.27
III MEF Bandmaster shares all about music [Community]
Stephen B. Giove is a pianist, a drummer, and a master musician now leading the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band. He’s a Marine with a toe-tapping sense of musical timing, start...
2013.01.15
Ryukyu lacquer ware exhibition opens Tuesday [CULTURE]
One of Okinawa’s most treasured art forms, Ryukyu lacquer ware, goes on display next week at the Shuri Castle Park special exhibition room. The Camellia Exhibition, featuring the C...
2013.01.15
Unique ceramics exhibition runs in Yaese City [CULTURE]
As ceramist Atsushi Tomoyose views the world, there’s plain or regular ceramics, and there are the special ceramics that involve geometric patterns and special, original styles. He...
2013.01.11
Adulthood; Coming of Age Day [CULTURE]
By Bill Charles Monday is a most important Japanese holiday for young people. Coming of Age Day, Seijin no Hi, recognizes all who turned 20 years of age last year. Twenty is consi...
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