Category: Nature
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Amami Rabbit
February 23rd 1995, Amami rabbits, Amami jay, and others—both special … Continued
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Artificially-Lighted Chrysanthemum
As you drive down Yanbaru or the southern part of … Continued
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Beniimo (Purple yam)
Beniimo is a type of sweet potato that is popular … Continued
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Coconut Crab (Yashigani)
Miyako Island was the first place I saw a coconut … Continued
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Coral Reef
Rachel Carson classified the seashore into three types: (1) a … Continued
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Field Party (Mō-ashibi)
Mō (毛) means “wild field” in the Okinawan language. It … Continued
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Flying foxes
I first learned of flying foxes when I was asked … Continued
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Giant Clams
The first time anyone sees any member of the giant … Continued
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Happiness Tree
When the wind blows, the leaves of the happiness tree … Continued
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Hījā (Goat)
Exhausted after the sports day, a bowl of hījā (goat) … Continued
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Iriomote Yamaneko
The Iriomote yamaneko is a small wild cat found only … Continued
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Kerama Deer
My father's home island is a small island called Geruma. … Continued
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Kibinago (Silver-stripe Round Herring)
Kibinago, the silver-stripe round herring, is called sururu in Okinawa. … Continued
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Kuba (Chinese Fan Tree)
It has become harder in city areas like Naha, but … Continued
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Kudaka Island
An island situated 6 km to the east of the … Continued
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Medaka (Rice Fish)
As its English name indicates, medaka (rice fish) is a … Continued
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Mibae (Fruit Flies)
“Do you know mibae (fruit flies)?” If you ask the … Continued
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Minatogawa Man
Homo sapiens of about 18,000 years ago. The first fossiled … Continued
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Ōkuni Rindō
A multi-purpose forestry road located in the northern part of … Continued
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Panari Earthenware
Okinawan wares can be roughly divided into two, Jō-yachi and … Continued
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Pineapples
Every year when the old date for the Bon Festival … Continued
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Praying for Rain
In Okinawa, typhoon and drought are two natural phenomena that … Continued
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The Ruddy Kingfisher
In Kijoka—known as the village of bashōfu fabric—in Ogimi there … Continued
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Ryukyu Ayu-fish
A while back, ayu-fish different from those of mainland Japan … Continued
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The Ryukyuken
Just as there are unchināchu humans—in other words, Okinawans—there are … Continued
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Ryukyu Limestone
Rock created by the coral reefs that rose from the … Continued
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Ryukyu Murasaki
Countless varieties of butterflies can be found on Okinawa Island … Continued
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Ryukyu Wild Boar
An outstanding beast among the land animals of Okinawa—Ryukyu wild … Continued
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Sakurazaka
They say that long ago bandits and highwaymen began to … Continued
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Sashiba (Grey-faced Buzzard)
I don’t know who started it; sashiba are sometimes called … Continued
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Sea Grapes (N’kyafu)
Sea grapes’ classical Japanese name is kubiredzuta. In the Miyako … Continued
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Senkaku Islands
The Senkaku Islands is a group of islands located north-northwest … Continued
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Shell Ginger
“Hello,” “Nice to meet you” and hand your business card—a … Continued
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Shichi (Arrival of the new season)
On the day to celebrate the new season1 in the … Continued
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Shima Banana (Island Banana)
Everyone knows a banana. That scentless, lightly flavored, thick-skinned, fat, … Continued
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Sotetsu (Sago Palm)
Some hot springs are called “Hell of XXX”.1 A heaven-like … Continued
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Subtropics
Generally speaking, the Ryukyu Archipelago is considered to be subtropical—anettai. … Continued
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Suzu-Ishi (Ringing Stones)
A rounded stone, with a size that would fit nicely … Continued
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Tōri-Ike (Passage Pond)
A 40~50 minutes boat ride to the west from the … Continued
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Twunji-bīsa
Twunji-bīsa (winter solstice chill) is the seasonal wind that blows … Continued
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Yamakunibū
“About yamakunibū…” … Continued
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Yonagunisan
Yonagunisan (Attacus atlas ryukyuensis) is one of the biggest moths … Continued