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
Lunar New Year ushered in this weekend [Community]
Unless someone ventures into Itoman City this weekend, it’s unlikely that anyone would realize that Tuesday is Lunar New Year. The Lunar New...Read More
2012.11.16
Bold experimental art featured at Shinsho Exhibition [CULTURE]
Vibrant, bold art has always been a challenge to artists, and the Okinawa Shinsho Exhibition is designed to introduce free new art activities and encourage people boldly research a...
2012.11.15
Flowers, glass linked in arts & crafts exhibition [CULTURE]
Products made of pressed flowers and stained glass are the focus of a special Pressed Flower & Stained Glass Joint Works Exhibition through Sunday at the Okinawa Prefectural Mu...
2012.11.02
Nago hosting an art culture exhibition through Sunday [CULTURE]
Nago Civic Hall is the venue through Sunday for the northern Okinawa art culture exhibition, a compilation of seven sections devoted to pictures, design, sculpture, photographs, ca...
2012.11.02
Awamori: Okinawa’s royal beverage [History]
By Bill Charles Awamori is Okinawa’s indigenous beverage, distilled for centuries at the behest of the royal families and continued to this very day, where it’s the crown jewel of ...
2012.11.02
Royal business [CULTURE]
SHURI CASTLE FESTIVAL roars to a crescendo this weekend, capping a full week of activities, parades, candlelight ceremonies and ancient costumes. Another traditional procession ta...
2012.10.26
Spanish modern art on display at Ryubo [CULTURE Shopping]
The treasures of Spanish culture and art are on display at the Ryubo Department Store through Monday, with some of the classics available for purchase. The Ryubo Art Salon presents...
2012.10.26
Sunday parade spotlights Ryukyu Kingdom splendor [CULTURE]
Shuri Castle is ready for the onslaught of visitors starting tomorrow as it celebrates with the annual Shuri Castle Festival, a colorful 10-day opportunity to see what the island w...
2012.10.26
Koza A-lunch Championship Contest looks for weekend judges [Community Gourmet]
The Koza A-lunch Competition in 2011 was so successful, the organizers are doing it again this weekend, holding a two-day competition to pick the best restaurants in the area, and ...
2012.10.19
Entertainment side shows dominate Okinawan wedding parties [Community]
By Jun Ikemura An Okinawan wedding party is special. While weddings in mainland Japan tend to be very formal affairs with endless speeches and carefully choreographed appearances,...
2012.10.12
Soba is as Okinawan as its name [CULTURE]
By Bill Charles October 17th is the day of Okinawa Soba. Really? Yep, because that’s the day in 1978 the Japanese Fair Trade Commission decided to admit that the noodles everyone...
2012.10.12
Taisho Era painter’s works on display at Urasoe Art Museum [CULTURE]
Artist and poet Yumeji Takeshita was warmly received by Japanese during the Taisho Era, when his works were called the Yumeji Formula Beauty because of his numerous paintings of be...
2012.10.12
Nanjo City Festival is rare event [Community Festival]
Nanjo city festival scheduled for this weekend at Gusuku Road Park does not get to be routine as the event is held only every four years. The weekend’s festival is only the second ...
2012.10.12
Yambaru fair showcases awamori, fishery products [Community]
The Yambaru Industrial Fair in Nago’s 21st Century Forest Gymnasium will be held for the 28th time this year over the weekend. Yambaru is the area comprising the northern part of ...
2012.10.12
Renowned Ryukyu glass artisan displays at OIST [CULTURE]
The master of Ryukyu Glass on Okinawa, Seikichi Inamine, is showcasing his favorite works at a free exhibition at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. The 72-year-old a...
2012.10.12
Paul Lorimer pottery exhibition and sale in Kochinda [CULTURE]
Paul Lorimer, and New Zealand born potter who has made Japan his home since 1977, and is currently living and making his artifacts in Sashiki, Nanjo City, is having an exhibition a...
2012.10.05
Hajiti tattoo told woman’s status [History]
By Sanae Nadoyama “Hajiti” means nudging with a needle, a decoration Okinawan women used to tattoo on the back of their hands in the past. It was also a symbol of their status in s...
2012.10.05
Mihama invites public to Halloween Costume Contest [Community]
The annual Halloween Costume Contest in Mihama 2012 will be held on Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. ~ 8 p.m. to thank customers for their frequent patronage to the Mihama area over the years....
2012.09.28
Yohei Morita, no run-of-the-mill physicist [Community]
Not everyone holds a doctorate in high-energy physics, and even fewer hold records in developing the fledgling Internet, but Yohei Morita holds both. Morita is a physicist totally ...
2012.09.28
Yokkatsu Eisa fest coming to Ayahashi Hall [Community]
Eisa was originally performed to honor the memory of ancestors on Kyu-Bon, but traditions have moved the dance to level of Okinawa folk art. Sunday the Yokatsu Eisa Fest brings tog...
2012.09.28
Okinawa traditional actress Stage props explained [CULTURE]
By Sanae Nadoyama Okinawa traditional entertainment is in the transition season between Eisa dance, dragon boat races and the ever popular tug-of-war events, with music and dance t...
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