NPO offers comprehensive two-semester course into Ryukyus

By Hoshin Nakamura

Okinawa Language Center is offering a course on the history and culture of the Ryukyus titled, “An Introduction to A History & Culture of the Ryukyu Islands”.

Professor Emeritus Hoshin Nakamura teaches the English language two-semester course that provides students good, deep understanding of Ryukyu Islands in all aspects of life in the island prefecture.

Professor Emeritus Hoshin Nakamura teaches the English language two-semester course that provides students good, deep understanding of Ryukyu Islands in all aspects of life in the island prefecture.

The instructor for the course is Hoshin Nakamura who has a BA & MA from the University of Hawaii and Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He is a professor emeritus of the Okinawa University. The course will be held on Fridays from 09:10 to 11:10 at NPO Okinawa Language Center at 3F 1-2-7 Mekaru, Naha City.

The course is prepared for people who are new arrivals to the island and their families who want to get learn about the history and culture of the native inhabitants, people wanting to become tour guides, and everyone else who is interested in expanding and deepening their knowledge on various aspects of Okinawa. The course is open to all who can communicate in English, regardless of nationality, gender, or age. All lectures and discussions are conducted in English.

The course consists of 20 sessions totaling 40 hours. Each session lasts 90 minutes with a 10-minute break. The lectures are based on two-way communication in class discussions, and questions and answers. Upon the successful completion of the course, the Okinawa Language Center will issue participants ‘A Certificate of Course Completion’.

NPO Okinawa Language Center has two-semester system. The first semester lasts from April to November and the second October to March the following year. Topics during the first semester include subjects from geography & topography, ethnicity, language, and history from the prehistoric period from 32,000 BC through the 12th century and all the way to present day politics and economics.

A completion ceremony is held at the end of the semester to deliver the certificates of completion to the passing students. Class is dismissed after a pot-luck farewell-sayonara party.

During the second semester a total of 40 topics on the Ryukyu people and their islands will be introduced by using about 4000 slides.

The oldest human skeletons of the Ryukyus have been unearthed from an ancient cave in Naha City. The bones date back 32,000 years. Similar human bones of ancient islanders have been found in caves of surrounding islands as well. Where did these people come from? There are many mysteries and wonders hidden in the enchanting Ryukyu Islands. The Ryukyuan History and Culture Course offered by NPO Okinawa Language Center located in Mekaru, in Naha Shintoshin, seeks answers to these mysteries, and shines light to understanding the current life on the islands as well.

For more information and registration call 098-943-1852 or 090-1948-1147 or email naka5252@hotmail.com

15:01 19 Mar , 2024