CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
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 June 18th 2026 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most peop...Read More
Golden Week, Japan’s Mega Holiday [CULTURE Family Festival]
Spring is here. And in Japan that means warmer weather, cherry blossoms, and rainy season. But, before the rainy season takes hold and shrou...Read More
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
2014.09.10
Okinawa jump starts celebrating Mexico Independence Day [Community]
In Mexico City, celebrations for Mexican Independence Day begin at 11 p.m. on Monday, but in Okinawa City the festivities are taking place Saturday night. The event site is the ‘Pa...
2014.09.05
National Theatre presents Kumiodori Festival [CULTURE]
Kumiodori, Okinawa’s traditional opera dance that’s been a part of the Ryukyu Kingdom for more than three centuries ago, is being presented over the next two weekends at two locati...
2014.09.05
Harvest moon leads to Chushu no Utage [CULTURE Festival]
By Bill Charles For many, the events of next Monday equate to a mid-autumn celebration party, when the harvest moon is full and everyone is ready to celebrate. Monday the 8th is Au...
Calligraphy by King Sho Ikuou of Ryukyu Kingdom discovered [History]
An original calligraphy of a Chinese poem written in 1838 by the 18th King of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Sho Iku, known as a chirographer was found in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The c...
Sacred Kudaka “Izaiho” ritual cancelled for third time [Community]
The sacred “Izaiho” ritual scheduled to be performed this year on Kudaka Island in Nanjo City has been cancelled for the third time. The Association of Lesser Gods made the decisio...
2014.08.15
Izena is birthplace of King Sho En of Ryukyu Kingdom [Okinawa Series]
By Jun Ikemura No study of Okinawa history is complete – especially the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom era — without an appreciation of the role of Izena Island and its most powerfu...
2014.07.28
French Art Exhibition now open at Prefectural Museum [CULTURE]
A 20th Century French Art Exhibition from the Yamagata Museum of Art Hattori Collection is now open to the public at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum. In this exhibi...
2014.07.18
Chatan is Okinawa’s ‘Americanized’ town [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Chatan Town: some know it as American Village or Hamby Town and even just Mihama. Whether the name is called, it is very well known as a place to have fun with...
2014.07.10
Uruma Culture Festival strong on traditions [CULTURE]
Okinawa’s traditional entertainment is center stage this weekend as the 10th Uruma Culture Festival presents three programs. The festival is at the Uruma Theatre, 175 Nakamine, Uru...
2014.06.29
Tomodachi Works international festival slated for July 5th & 6th [Community]
The seventh in a series of events designed to bring foreigners and Japanese closer together, Tomodachi Works, is coming up next weekend to Depot Island in Chatan. The event coincid...
2014.06.26
Real Japanese swords on show, demonstration [CULTURE]
A fabulous collection of authentic Japanese swords known as the “soul of the samurai” are going on display tomorrow at the Naha City Bunka Tenbus Center. Admission is free for the ...
2014.06.14
Feng Shui keeps evil at bay when building on Okinawa [CULTURE]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system aimed at harmonizing human existence with the surrounding environment. Feng Shui spread to the world from China, es...
2014.06.12
Bulls set pace in Okinawa bullfights this Sunday [Community]
Taking in a bullfight on Okinawa is a world away from those seen on television or in Spain or Portugal, but they’re equally exciting to watch. Okinawa bullfights have two bulls goi...
2014.06.08
WWII Japanese Okinawa Army Hospital remembered [History]
A Japanese Imperial Army hospital on Okinawa during World War II remains, serving as a reminder of “the disastrous experience of war.” The hospital is maintained by Haebaru Town, a...
2014.06.08
Ryukyu Kasuri textiles are Haebaru specialty [Community]
Ryukyu Kasuri textiles are distinctly Okinawan, with more than 600 different patterns making it a sought-after Haebaru Town product. The origin of the Ryukyu Kasuri was in the 14th...
2014.06.07
Post-WWI era depicted in paintings exhibition [CULTURE]
A three-month art show “100 years since WWI Kathe Kollwitz and Georges Rouault Exhibition” opens next Tuesday at the Sakima Museum in Ginowan City. Paintings by Kathe Kollwitz, a G...
2014.05.29
National Theatre hosting Yaeyama program [CULTURE]
The Yaeyama Islands have long been known as “The Islands of songs and dance” dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era, and it’s still true today. The National Theatre Okinawa, map:htt...
2014.05.26
Bubbles, rice give Buku Buku Tea special flavor [CULTURE]
By Jun Ikemura Buku BukuCha is an Okinawa delicacy that’s been around for centuries as the beverage of choice for the island elite, but now is a specialty available to anyone who w...
2014.05.26
Okinawa is great source of inspiration for local artists [Community]
By David Higgins The Ryukyu Islands were involved in trading for nearly 200 years, and Okinawa was once a bustling maritime trading hub in Asia. Some of the goods Okinawan people ...
2014.05.07
Curry is Cultural Cooking Class topic [Community]
“Curry: flavorful warm ooey-gooey goodness on rice.” That’s the definition for one of the most loved dishes in Asia and a national comfort food that almost all Japanese people are ...
RYUKYU PRESS