O-RI TO-RIï¼Our third day in Okinawa had us flying out to the Yaeyama Islands of Ishigaki and Taketomi. Â These beautiful southern islands of the Ryukyu chain holds some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and traditional images. Â They love their culture and it shows in the surrounding and its people. We landed at the new […]
Category: Commentary
Connecting with Okinawa’s Most Sacred Sites
Our tour reached the half way point today as we visited the most significant sacred sites and historical places in Okinawa. Â We all woke bright and early to leave for the Azama Pier and board our boat to Kudaka Island. Â This island is said to be the place where the gods descended to create the […]
“Ichimadin Shimanchu” Message Unites Voices and Expands Connections
From our participation in the National Theater Show, to the last school a Makabi Elementary, Ukwanshin gave the message of revitalization focused on the language. Â The coinciding of the Worldwide Uchinaanchu Taikai also brought new connections and networking to expand the movement and work to help save Uchinaaguchi, and look at how it connects to […]
Exchange with Local Okinawa Youth Shows Concern For Future
The morning began with a visit to a special education school in central Okinawa that is based in mainland Japan, but caters to Okinawa’s high school students with special needs. Â It was a hard late morning as we constantly wondered if these students understood and enjoyed what we were presenting. Â We were lucky enough to […]
Music and Dances of Okinawa Flourishes Throughout the World
The gathering of performing artists from South America, Hawaii, and mainland USA showed the preservation of the arts and continued interest in what is truly a connection to our roots and ancestors. Â The level of the arts outside of Okinawa has risen to the same playing field as so many now make the sacrifices to […]
“Ichimadin Shimanchu” Uchinaanchu From Around the World Return With Energy, Excitement.
Young shimanchu with red shirts of eisaa design and the words “Requios” on the back stand in line for immigration clearance with us in Narita. Â Some of the members are with family and their faces are full of excitement and anticipation. Â They look like any of the others you would see at the Okinawa festival […]
Does this sound familiar? It’s time for Okinawa to stand up and be counted.
Language, Culture, Identity. Â These three are what makes a people, and which are inseparable. Cultures, or native people who have lost their language have also lost their true identity and culture. Â Those who have returned to their language have found resurgence and revitalization of its people and culture. Â It is time for Okinawa to be […]
Reflection of Okinawa, Hope Through the Hawaiian Model
Israel Kamakawiwa`ole, a Voice for Hawai`i Click the above link to watch this emotional presentation by IZ. Â The words he speaks, the emotions, the struggles that he talks about from the stage is reality for the Hawaiian people. Â If you were to take that and just exchange it for Okinawa, along with some other problems, […]
Ryukyu Shimpo English Article on Ukwanshin’s Okinawa Visit
Okinawan Americans come from Hawaii to play the sanshin at a requiem held at the Miyamori Elementary School Memorial Third generation Okinawan Americans from Hawaii play Okinawan folk songs at the memorial service held at the Miyamori Elementary School in Uruma City. June 5, 2011 Ryukyu Shimpo Fourteen Hawaiians originated from Okinawa, including 36 […]
Wishing You All a Healthy and Prosperous 2011!
This past year has been a busy one for Ukwanshin. Â We were kept busy with many projects…major ones being Danju Kariyushi and of course, the finale with the Iha Four Sisters. Â As the end of the year comes and the new year begins we can look back and see the trials, tribulations, celebrations, and many […]