CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
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
Hina dolls bring health, happiness to sm… [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 traditi...Read More
Valentine's Day in Japan is all about ro… [CULTURE]
February 14, Valentine’s Day, is considered world over a day when romance blooms and lovers whisper sweet nothings to each others’ ears. See...Read More
2016.04.21
Bar Walk Naha is opportunity to make new friends [Community]
So called Bar Walk events have proven to be popular in the past. The first Bar Walk was introduced a few years back in Fukuoka, from where the concept has then spread to other citi...
2016.04.18
Meiji Invasion of Ryukyu Kingdom [Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura, Professor Emeritus of Okinawa University, NPO Okinawa Language Center Satsuma, the southernmost clan of feudal Japan in Kyushu, invaded independent Ryukyu Kingd...
2016.04.09
Okinawa’s Yui Rail is fun to ride [Community]
By Jun Ikemura Okinawa was for a long time known as the only prefecture in Japan that did no have a rail mass transportation system, but on Aug. 10th, 2003, a 12.9–kilometer-long m...
2016.03.28
Satsuma invasion marked end of Ryukyu Kingdom prosperity [Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura Over 130 years the people of Ryukyu Kingdom enjoyed their peace, prosperity, and longevity while the Japanese had been suffering from long civil wars, poverty, d...
2016.03.24
Prefectural Museum exhibition focuses Evangelion animation series [CULTURE]
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese hit animated TV and movie series produced by Tatsunoko Productions and directed by Hideaki Anno. Evangelion is an apocalyptic anime set in the...
Annual Okiten Art Exhibition is open [CULTURE]
The largest annual art exhibition on the island called Okinawa Okiten, is currently open at Urasoe Shimin Gymnasium. The exhibition is on its 68th year and will be open through Apr...
Morning event aims to change image of Gate 2 Street [Community]
Merchants on the “Gate 2 Street,” a street stretching from the Goya intersection to Kadena Air Base Gate #2 in Okinawa City, are organizing a morning event called “Morning at the G...
2016.03.14
2nd Sho Dynasty built prosperity of Ryukyu Kingdom [Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura, NPO Okinawa Language Center Because of the revolt of Lord Amawari of Katsuren Castle against Lord Gosamaru of Nakagusuku Castle and against King Sho Taikyu of S...
2016.03.10
Music Town event to focus on Okinawa’s mixed culture [Ryukyu History]
An interesting event combining photo exhibition and a panel discussion is scheduled to take place Saturday at Koza Music Town. The event aims to explore the mixed culture of the U....
2016.03.07
Akainko made first music to Okinawan sanshin [History Ryukyu History]
Friday, Mar. 4, is known as the Sanshin Day, and everyone knows that sanshin is the instrument of choice for Okinawan music, but where did that music originally come from? Accordin...
2016.03.07
What happened before and after the First Sho Dynasty? [History Ryukyu History]
Ryukyu Kingdom seems to have had several dynasties early in its history, such as Tenson and Shunten dynasties, An old history document called “Chuzan Seikan” (中山世鑑) tells that ther...
2016.02.26
Yaese Town opens spring season with Yaese Hakkei Festival [Community]
Although we may still have a few cold days ahead, the spring is approaching fast, and on Sunday, Feb. 28, a spring festival called Yaese Hakkei Festival will be held at Kochinda At...
2016.02.23
All of Okinawa joins music on Sanshin Day [Community]
Sanshin has an unique place in Okinawan people’s heart, so it’s only natural that the instrument has its own day, Mar. 4th. Former RBC radio station chief Naohiko Uehara is credite...
2016.02.23
Emergence of Ryukyu Kingdom [History Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura According to archeological findings in the Ryukyu Islands between 1962 and 1983, the oldest human skeleton on Okinawa was found in the Yamashita Cave. The skelet...
2016.02.18
Onna Fair showcases community beyond resorts [Community]
Onna Village on the east coast of Okinawa is best known as a municipality with the biggest concentration of resorts on Okinawa. It’s also the home to the Okinawa Institute of Techn...
2016.02.17
POPs stage youth musical “Harmony High” on Foster [Community]
The Pacific Okinawa Players is staging youth production ‘Harmony High,’ a high-energy musical for the whole family starting tomorrow at the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium....
2016.02.14
NPO offers comprehensive two-semester course into Ryukyus [Education Ryukyu History]
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”...
2016.02.12
OIST presents music of Japan’s national instrument [CULTURE]
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology is presenting a free Koto concert on Saturday, Feb. 27th at OIST Auditorium. The concert begins at 14:00 with doors to the venue ope...
2016.02.09
Drinking and driving is no way to go on Okinawa [Community]
By David Higgins Although the annual holiday season and all the celebration is now over, and all the partying and drinking that usually goes with it, it’s also a good...
2016.02.04
Geien invites public to English language kumiodori workshop [Community]
Mini theater Geien in Oroku, Naha, is a place where independent performers can find a stage to show their talent. According to its owners, it was created as a place where front lin...
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