NAKAMURA Kyoji - Amakuma Ryukyu

v1.0

Born in 1939 in Amami Oshima. After working for the Nankai Nichinichi Shimbun, he joined the Ryukyu Shimpo in 1972. After working as a reporter, he served as chief of the Miyako and Yaeyama bureaus, desk chief of the Culture Department, and head of the Publications Department before retiring in 1999. He is an essayist. Works include the novel “Sukunari” (winner of the 22nd Kyushu Art Festival Literature Award) and the essay collection “Ryukyu Arc: Amakuma Narrative.

Amami Rabbit

February 23rd 1995, Amami rabbits, Amami jay, and others—both special … Continued

Chōmīgusa

Coastal hog fennel. Also called button siler in Japanese, given … Continued

Coconut Crab (Yashigani)

Miyako Island was the first place I saw a coconut … Continued

Iju

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

Kariyushi

In traditional Ryukyu songs, “嘉例吉” is often sung as kareyoshi, … Continued

NAKAMURA Kyoji, SUGIYAMA Toru

Kibinago (Silver-stripe Round Herring)

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

Pineapples

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

Sashiba (Grey-faced Buzzard)

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

Sea Grapes (N’kyafu)

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

Tachigami

Tachigan, tonbara, twungan, tachise—called by various names on various islands, … Continued

Tōtoganashi

In the Amami Islands, people pray to their ancestors at … Continued