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]
April 3 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 promote...Read More
Spotlight on Yomitan, most populous vill… [Community Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Yomitan is located on the west coast of central Okinawa, bordered by Onna Village to the north, Okinawa City to the eas...Read More
2019.04.05
Shiimi: A time to remember and honor the dead in Okinawa [CULTURE]
April marks the beginning of one of Okinawa’s most important and sacred religious ceremonies, known locally as shiimi. This particular ceremony takes place exclusively in Okinawa P...
2019.04.03
Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day on April 3 [History]
April 3 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 promote Shisa made in the Tsuboya district of N...
2019.03.12
Spotlight on Yomitan, most populous village in Japan [Community Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Yomitan is located on the west coast of central Okinawa, bordered by Onna Village to the north, Okinawa City to the east, Kadena Town to the south, and the Eas...
2019.03.03
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 island from soba shops and grocery stores...
2019.03.03
Hina dolls bring health, happiness to small girls [CULTURE]
‘Hina Matsuri is one of the customs that most people in Japan no more observe but that gives an insight to the Japanese thinking and traditions in the past. The Japanese custom of ...
2019.02.17
Learn and Improve your Japanese in Okinawa!! [Education Japanese Lesson]
Since 2010, Touyou Gengo Bunka Gakuin (Asian Language & Culture College) in Midorimachi, Uruma City has been providing quality Japanese language classes to students from other ...
2019.01.22
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.164 [Japanese Lesson]
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2018.12.28
Visiting Okinawan Shrines for the New Year [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Have you ever partaken in a Hatsumōde? Have you even heard of a “Hatsumōde”? “Hatsumōde” is a Japanese custom where Japanese people pay a visit to a shrine or temple on January 1st...
2018.12.20
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.163 [Japanese Lesson]
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2018.12.10
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.162 [Japanese Lesson]
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2018.11.30
Urasoe City: From Past to Present [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Urasoe City is located in the southern half of the Okinawa main island. Though it seems overshadowed by its neighboring city, Naha, which is the prefectural capital of Okinawa, bac...
2018.11.25
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.161 [Japanese Lesson]
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2018.11.12
Discover KUMIODORI 2018 “YUCHIBARE” [ENTERTAINMENT Ryukyu History]
Introducing the more popular Kumiodori plays with audio guidance in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese languages, our visitors from abroad can readily enjoy and appreciate this...
2018.11.12
Kumiodori, Okinawa’s World-Renowned Performing Art [CULTURE Ryukyu History]
Kumiodori is a classical Ryukyu musical and theatrical performance that originated in the early 18th century. The Kumiodori is based on telling of story which is presented using so...
2018.11.10
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.160 [Japanese Lesson]
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2018.11.08
Shuri Mifila ③ Nishi-nu-fila [Ryukyu History]
Nishi-nu-fila; Nishi means ‘West’ in Japanese, but in the Okinawa dialect ‘Nishi’ means “North” and thus Nishi-nu-fila district was located north of Shuri Castle. Curre...
2018.11.06
Shuri Mifila ② Maaji-nu-fila [Ryukyu History]
Maaji-nu-fila was southwest of Shurijo Castle. From an aerial view, it is spread out like a shape of a fan. It is where now the current Mawashi, Ikehata, Yamagawa, Samukawa, and K...
2018.11.05
Shuri Mifila ① Hae-nu-fila [Ryukyu History]
As aforementioned last article, during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, Shuri grew into three prominent districts: “Hae-nu-fila”, “Maaji-nu-fila” and “Nishi-nu-fila”. Hae-nu-fila was locate...
2018.11.01
Shuri, The Once Capital District of Okinawa [Ryukyu History]
Many people heard of Shuri because of its association with the Shurijo Castle World Heritage Park. But at one time Shuri was the capital district of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This was so...
2018.10.31
Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.159 [Japanese Lesson]
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RYUKYU PRESS