Category: Society

As you drive down Yanbaru or the southern part of … Continued

My first visit to Okinawa was immediately after the reversion … Continued

Beniimo is a type of sweet potato that is popular … Continued

The ample foam rising above the teacup, the savory fragrance … Continued

Haisai (Hey)! There are no railroads in uchinā (Okinawa). The … Continued

Type “B” Military Yen was issued as the key monetary … Continued

“Chi” is “yellow”, and “dēkuni” is “radish” in the Okinawan … Continued

Rachel Carson classified the seashore into three types: (1) a … Continued

In 1995, 50 years after the end of the Battle … Continued

Nothing is less reliable than official statistics in Okinawa. … Continued

Eisā (July Eisā) is an event celebrating Kyūbon, especially popular … Continued

Mō (毛) means “wild field” in the Okinawan language. It … Continued

When the kachāshī dance starts, anyone there would instantly begin … Continued

I was chatting with a Chinese friend of mine who … Continued

The American study abroad program by the Government Aid and … Continued

In the Beginning, there was a gusuku; like the one … Continued

Tarama Island is located right in-between Miyako and Ishigaki Islands. … Continued

Farmers are called harusā in Okinawa. An Okinawan language, out … Continued

In colonies and trusteeships, the man in charge of rule … Continued

Exhausted after the sports day, a bowl of hījā (goat) … Continued

Originating from the Chinese word for a folding screen, hinpun … Continued

Hinukan (god of fire) is usually enshrined near the kitchen … Continued

The song of kukkaru (ruddy kingfisher) brings the nagashi (rainy … Continued

Iha Fuyu (1876-1947) was one of the founders of Okinawan … Continued

Imaiyu coming from ima (now) - iyu (fish), stands for … Continued

Many Okinawan immigrants left Okinawa for Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, … Continued

At the time of this writing (1998), it’ll be twenty … Continued

If you are from mainland Japan, “Okinawa” may make you … Continued

The eldest son of Jahana Katsutaro, Jahana Noboru was born … Continued

On July 30th, 1978, according to the return of rights … Continued

Upon arriving at Taketomi Island, the first greenery you’re likely … Continued

Spring water profitable for humans. A general term for springwater … Continued

To get senile. Okinawa is an island with a reputation … Continued

At the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom (before the abolition … Continued

A man from Shuri once told me that he didn’t … Continued

Now that I think of it, I did come quite … Continued

Kibinago, the silver-stripe round herring, is called sururu in Okinawa. … Continued

Kokusai Dōri in Naha is a street with a unique … Continued

Koza City, established after the war, was merged with Misato … Continued

It has become harder in city areas like Naha, but … Continued

Latin Americans are known for their love of music and … Continued

The legislative branch of the Ryukyu Islands government was called … Continued

People think of “Lequios” as the name of a weekly … Continued

Okinawa is the only prefecture in Japan without a railway.　However, … Continued

On May 15th 1972, the government of Okinawa was reverted … Continued

As its English name indicates, medaka (rice fish) is a … Continued

“Do you know mibae (fruit flies)?” If you ask the … Continued

Working in the military bases is called “military labor” in … Continued

A minyō-sakaba is a pub where you can see live … Continued

The history of Miyako jōfu textiles goes back four centuries. … Continued

An early afternoon, a group of middle-aged women was enjoying … Continued

There are a lot of words unique to Okinawa that … Continued

Muscovado is the go-to tea snack in any ordinary household. … Continued

Naha natives dearly love their city and are proud of … Continued

People are suffering from the heat all over Japan, yet … Continued

Mainland Japanese. People from mainland Japan are called yamatonchū (Yamato … Continued

The women of Okinawa are powerful. Whether or not this … Continued

A fishing technique unique to Okinawa for which the fisherman … Continued

It is well-known that the people of Hawaii are from … Continued

Tell a taxi driver “please take me to the Prefectural … Continued

A type of fabric. Albeit the fact that it is … Continued

“Is Okinawa part of Japan?” shouted (then) Okinawa Governor Ōta … Continued

The Okinawan traditional eisā dance has gained nationwide popularity over … Continued

Every year when the old date for the Bon Festival … Continued

With its outside wooden walls painted a pale, faint blue, … Continued

There is no formal name for the Naha public market. … Continued

Refers to the fact that on May 15, 1972, after … Continued

Before Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, Route 1 was the major … Continued

An assumption says that what was simply called “uta”—song or … Continued

A while back, ayu-fish different from those of mainland Japan … Continued

The expression “Ryukyu Disposition”' has two different senses. In a … Continued

Just as there are uchinānchu humans—in other words, Okinawans—there are … Continued

An outstanding beast among the land animals of Okinawa—Ryukyu wild … Continued

It is said that it used to be a dugout … Continued

(1682~1761) The most prominent statesman representing the early-modern Ryukyu Kingdom. … Continued

They say that long ago bandits and highwaymen began to … Continued

The reason why salt is called māsu in the Okinawan … Continued

I don’t know who started it; sashiba are sometimes called … Continued

Made of flour, sugar, egg, and milk — pretty round … Continued

Sea grapes’ classical Japanese name is kubiredzuta. In the Miyako … Continued

Seji is spiritual power. People close to gods are called … Continued

(1907~2001) Senaga Kamejiro, who was nicknamed “Kame-san (Mr. Turtle)” by … Continued

The Senkaku Islands is a group of islands located north-northwest … Continued

“Hello,” “Nice to meet you” and hand your business card—a … Continued

As its name suggests, the castle is located in Shuri … Continued

Some hot springs are called “Hell of XXX”.1 A heaven-like … Continued

In a connecting bus at the Haneda Airport, some young … Continued

There was a time when the people of Okinawa took … Continued

“Have you ever seen a star sand walk?”　Suddenly, he questioned … Continued

Perhaps 筋小—​​small lines— in kanji, sūjigwā means narrow streets or … Continued

The history of this dish begins in an eatery located … Continued

Tanetori is an agricultural event in which rice seeds are … Continued

Tēgē is an Okinawan word used to describe the character … Continued

The Thirty-six Families of Kume are the Chinese people, and … Continued

Tōkachi (August 8th on the lunar calendar) is an event … Continued

We often hear people say, “It’s hectic during the Bon1 … Continued

Following the Pacific War, there was a place among the … Continued

In accordance with the Chinese zodiac, we call every twelfth … Continued

Twunji-bīsa (winter solstice chill) is the seasonal wind that blows … Continued

An Okinawan. Uchinā is Okinawa, chu is person. It seems … Continued

In the summer, I like to go to outlying islands. … Continued

Popularly known as Beimin Seifu. Its official name is Ryukyu … Continued

Tu nu yū kara Yamatu nu yū 　　From the Chinese era … Continued

Wīchōbā is the Okinawan term for fennel. Okinawans consume many … Continued

In December 1996, the guerilla attack on the official residence … Continued

Yaebishi, or Yabiji. Shallows where a vast coral reef that … Continued

If the Yūki-tsumugi is the acme of silk textile, then … Continued