CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Day of Naha: Immerse Yourself in the Cap… [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
July 8th is Naha Day in Okinawa. This special occasion originated from the use of play-on-words or rather, a play-on-numbers. Naha’s two syl...Read More
Tanabata is precursor to Obon season, an… [CULTURE]
Tanabata, also known as “Shichiseki” that takes place on July 7th, is one of the five season-related celebrations in Japan. Empress Koken is...Read More
Itoman Haaray; a traditional and fun eve… [CULTURE Festival]
The Itoman Haaray takes place on the May 4th of the Lunar Calendar. This day is actually May 30th 2025 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most peopl...Read More
2016.06.19
‘Exotic Okinawa’ photo exhibit aims to ‘Remember the Future’ [Community]
A distinctive photo exhibition is taking place at Rycom Anthropology gallery on the third floor of the Plaza House Shopping Center. “Exotic Okinawa,” is a photo exhibition currentl...
2016.06.03
Itoman Haarii has it all; fun, excitement and traditions [Community]
The most exciting events taking place in Okinawan fishing ports throughout the prefecture during the early summer are the dragon boat races called “Haarii” using traditional fishin...
2016.05.28
Kougeikan presents condensed history of Ryukyus through crafts [CULTURE]
Naha City Traditional Arts and Crafts Center, called ‘Naha Dento Kougeikan’ in Japanese, is a Naha City owned facility on Kokusai Street that introduces visitors to the history and...
2016.05.23
Wan Nyan sees solution to pet poop problem in TNR [Community]
Regarding David Higgins’ recent article, “Dog poop and stray cats are nuisance at Sunabe Seawall,” A volunteer animal rights group “Wan Nyan Yuimaru” wants people to know that this...
2016.05.23
Defeat of Japan and U.S. Occupation of Ryukyu Islands [Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura Instructor NPO Okinawa Language Center On Sunday morning Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in which ...
2016.05.18
OIST exhibit ‘Ishigaki Blue’ showcases unique pottery art [CULTURE]
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, OIST, plays host to several remarkable exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. An art exhibition at the OIST Tunnel Galler...
2016.05.13
Kin Town presents unique mix of nostalgia and modernity [Okinawa Series]
By Jun Ikemura Kin Town is located on the east coast in the middle part of Okinawa Island, just soutwest of Ginoza Village, northeast of Uruma City and east of Onna Village. It’s f...
2016.05.01
Sabani was fisherman’s tool of trade in old Okinawa [CULTURE]
Sabani is a traditional Okinawan narrow wooden boat that local fishermen used as their tool of trade in the past. As engines made it possible for fishermen to have larger boats, an...
Facilities offer free entry for kids during Golden Week [Community]
May 5th through 11th is the “Welfare Week for Kids” in Japan, and its aim is to think and support children’s healthy growth and development. In addition to the government, also com...
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...
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