UH, University of the Ryukyus, Meio Sign Agreement

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

Present at the signing were state and university officials including Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige [far right], University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner [far left], University of the Ryukyus President Hajime Oshiro [2nd from right] and Meio University President Katsunori Yamazato [2nd from left].

Present at the signing were state and university officials including Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige [far left], University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner [2nd from right], University of the Ryukyus President Hajime Oshiro [far right] and Meio University President Katsunori Yamazato [2nd from left].

The following excerpts (and caption above) are from Tracy Matsushima’s “International Okinawan Studies Agreement Signed” (University of Hawaii News, 12 May 2015).

The University of Hawaiʻi, the University of the Ryukyus and Meio University signed a memorandum of understanding at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on May 12, 2015. This agreement builds on the work the universities have been doing over many decades.

Scholars, students and administrators interested in Okinawa are scattered all over the world and this agreement creates opportunities for engagement in education and research as well as productive exchanges to discuss 21st century issues.

The University of the Ryukyus, Meio University and the University of Hawaiʻi over the years have developed strong ties and have shared interests in Okinawan studies. The three universities propose to assist each other and collaborate to form an international network—the International Consortium for Okinawan Studies—for studying and teaching about Ryukyu and Okinawa.

Posted in Agreement, Higher Education, International | Leave a comment

OAA Members Picnic & Bon Dance 2015 – July 12

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77
The Okinawa Association of America (OAA)'s Annual Picnic has been a tradition for OAA members since its first inception in the 1930's. The picnic has always been a highly anticipated event for families and friends, offering a summer afternoon of food, games, and cultural performances. It has also become the venue for the OAA to award its annual scholarships to members who are qualified high school graduates.

The Okinawa Association of America (OAA)’s Annual Picnic has been a tradition for OAA members since its first inception in the 1930’s. The picnic has always been a highly anticipated event for families and friends, offering a summer afternoon of food, games, and cultural performances. It has also become the venue for the OAA to award its annual scholarships to members who are qualified high school graduates.

Posted in Bon Dance, Culture, Food, Games, International, Picnic | Leave a comment

OAA Bazaar & Fundraiser 2015 – Oct. 4

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 9/23/15

On October 11 4 (Sunday), the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their Annual Bazaar & Fundraiser at the OAA Center in Gardena. This is the only annual event in Southern California that celebrates Okinawan culture, bringing the community together for an afternoon of delicious food and soulful entertainment!

On October 11 4 (Sunday), the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their Annual Bazaar & Fundraiser at the OAA Center in Gardena. This is the only annual event in Southern California that celebrates Okinawan culture, bringing the community together for an afternoon of delicious food and soulful entertainment!

Posted in Bazaar, Culture, Dance, Food, Fundraiser, Music | Leave a comment

70th Anniversary of Battle of Okinawa: OAA June 2015

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77
This summer, the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will present a series of educational events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Okinawa. They will start on June 20 for Irei no Hi*, an annual memorial day in Okinawa to honor the 200,000+ soldiers and civilians who died in the devastating

This summer, the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will present a series of educational events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II’s Battle of Okinawa. They will start on June 20 for Irei no Hi*, an annual memorial day in Okinawa to honor the 200,000+ soldiers and civilians who died in the devastating “Typhoon of Steel.” The OAA’s Irei no Hi event will include lectures from local scholars, Skype video messages from Okinawa (schedules permitting), and live performances of songs that are relevant to the war and post-war experiences of Okinawans. (RSVP required). Please visit oaamensore.org or their Facebook page (Okinawa Association of America 2009) for more information. For inquiries or to RSVP for June 20, please contact the OAA at oaa.mensore@gmail.com or 310-532-1929. (*The actual date for Okinawa’s annual memorial day is June 23.)

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, History, International, Lecture, Memorial | 1 Comment

‘Introduction to Okinawan Dance 2015’ at UHM July 5 – Aug 9

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

University of Hawai’i Center for Okinawan Studies ハワイ大学沖縄研究センター  Join us in the “Introduction to Okinawan Dance” at UHM! Bring your tabi! Visit site. Click image to enlarge.

Posted in Class, Culture, Dance | Leave a comment

Children’s Okinawan Cultural Day Camp June 2015

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

This event is sponsored in part by the State Foundation of Culture & Arts and Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Dates are subject to change. Contact HUOA for updates.
WARABIcoljpOkinawan Summer Day Camp for Children

Camps are scheduled for all major Islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii at three locations.

From the island of Kauai to east side of the Big Island – the sounds of our Okinawan music will be heard throughout the state in the month of June. Children ages seven to thirteen will be able to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our culture. This year it may take the form of Eisa drumming, Kobudo-styled drumming, sanba playing, or Okinawan dance our culture will be shared.  Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Craft, Culture, Day Camp | Leave a comment

Shimakutuba Class via Live Stream

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

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From Eric Wada:

Gusuuyo Chuuganabira!

Just a reminder for our shimakutuba class this Monday [5/25/15] at 7:30 pm at Jikoen. We will be practicing more useful conversational vocabulary as well as reviewing so bring friends and family!

If cannot attend the class at Jikoen, try catching the class on your computer via the Ustream.

Please also make time to attend the meeting with Governor Onaga from Okinawa this coming Thursday, 28th, 7pm. at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. The Governor has requested to meet with Hawaii Uchinaanchu to inform about the current emergency situation Okinawa is in. Okinawa is asking our support so lets show Governor Onaga the Hawaii Uchinaanchu presence. There will be Okinawa TV crews following, so we need to make sure there is a good turnout and not let Okinawa down.

Yutasarugutu Unigeesabira!
Eric

Posted in Class, Culture, Language, Livestream | Leave a comment

Meet Okinawa Governor Onaga at Hawai`i Okinawa Center on May 28, 2015, at 7pm

Posted on May 25, 2015 by loochoo77

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From Eric Wada:

Gusuuyo Chuuganabira,

Governor Onaga from Okinawa will be visiting O`ahu from next Wednesday-Friday, 27-29th, then leaving to Washington DC to take the Okinawa people’s voice to Congress and Department of Defense concerning the Henoko mega base construction.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

This past Sunday, over 35,000 packed the Cellular Stadium in Naha with standing room only rally to support Onaga and again show Okinawa’s stance against the forced building of the base in Henoko. It has been 70 years of continued war, and Okinawa has been sacrificed time and time again by the Japanese government. With only less than 1% of the total land mass of Japan, Okinawa hosts 80% of the US bases, which take up more than 20% of prime property. The property for the bases were NOT given to the US, but was stolen by force and violence by the US military during the American Occupation. The US military used bulldozers and bayonets and came like the thief in the night during early morning hours while the residents were asleep, turned their lights on and forced the Okinawa farmers off their lands. Okinawans resisted, and some lost their lives or were beaten, so the resistance ended because Okinawans did not want anymore added to the death toll from the war.  Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics, Protest, Rally | Leave a comment

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Posted on May 14, 2015 by loochoo77

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Viewing cherry blossom trees was not the primary purpose for our trip to Japan, but we hoped to see them in full bloom, hoping that the migration of the bloom from south to north would cross our path somewhere along the way.

On the day we arrived in Tokyo, it did not look promising... as the cherry blossom tree next to our Dormy Inn hotel in Hatchobori was totally bare... no leaves, no cherry blossom buds. It looked dead.

On the day we arrived in Tokyo, it did not look promising. The cherry blossom tree next to our Dormy Inn Hotel in Hatchobori was totally bare, no leaves, no cherry blossom buds. It looked dead.

The next day, we went to a district just north of the Chuo line’s Shinanomachi train station in central Tokyo.... 3 stops from the Shinjuku train station. We were surprised to find on a side street in between two office buildings, a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. I wondered why only this tree?

The next day, we went to a district just north of the Chuo line’s Shinanomachi train station in central Tokyo, three stops from the Shinjuku station. We were surprised to find, on a side street between two office buildings, a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. I wondered why only this tree? Did the sun’s reflected heat from the buildings cause the blossoms to bloom before the others in Tokyo?

We spent one day traveling to Sado Island, returning the next day to the same Tokyo Dormy Inn Hotel. Sado Island is located on the Japan Sea, across from Niigata on the west coast of Japan.  Continue reading →

Posted in Cherry Blossoms, Japan, Photos, Travel | Leave a comment

Taira Village Orphanage and Uncle Hoichi

Posted on May 4, 2015 by loochoo77

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Below is an old photograph of Hoichi and his dad, Hoyei Inafuku, among a group of Okinawan men. Hoichi is the young man in the middle sitting on the floor. His father, Hoyei, my grandfather, is sitting on the chair with his left arm on the table. He’s the one without the mustache. I was puzzled when I first looked at the photo since Hoichi and Hoyei looked more like brothers than father and son. Note the young man with the Russian-Japanese War medal sitting on the floor on Hoichi’s left.

Hoichi and and his dad Hoyei Inafuku among a group of Okinawan men. Hoichi is the young man in the middle sitting on the floor. His father Hoyei, my grandfather, is sitting on the chair with his left arm on the table... the one without the mustache.

Hoichi and his dad, Hoyei Inafuku, among a group of Okinawan men. Hoichi is the young man in the middle sitting on the floor. His father, Hoyei, my grandfather, is sitting on the chair with his left arm on the table.

My dad told me a funny story about Hoichi. In Waimea, Kauai, Hoichi came home one day with a brand new shiny five dollar gold watch, the kind that you keep in your pocket and take out when you want to know what time it is. My six-year-old dad was so fascinated by the watch. How did it work? he wondered. When Hoichi left to go somewhere, leaving his watch in the house, my dad took the watch to examine it closely.

He gradually took it apart, looking at this, looking at that. When his curiosity was satisfied, he tried to put the watch back together but couldn’t. When Hoichi came home and found his brand new gold watch all in pieces and not working, boy was he mad. I asked my dad if Hoichi gave him a lick’n. He said, “Nah, he knew I was just a curious kid.”

The photograph below of the Inafuku and Arashiro families with Mrs. Wakukawa (sitting second from left, Seiyei Wakukawa’s mother) was taken, I believe, in Honolulu in 1921 before my grandmother (fourth from left), my dad, Ronald (middle, sitting on ground), and my Aunty Annie (young girl sitting on ground) left Hawaii to bring the remains of my grandfather, Hoyei Inafuku, back to Haneji, Okinawa. Grandfather Hoyei passed away from influenza in Waimea, Kauai, in August 1918.  Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Haneji, Hawaii, History, International, Kauai, World War II | 1 Comment

OAA Scholarships for 2015 HS Graduates

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Click image to enlarge.

Click image for more details.

Posted in Announcement, Scholarship | Leave a comment

Baker and Shimabukuro: Two Views of WWII

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77

Excerpts from Eric Talmadge’s “Iwo Jima Vet, Okinawa Survivor Wrestle with WWII Legacy,” Japan Times, 21 Apr. 2015:

In Norman Baker’s mind, the Japanese were fanatical, brutal animals with no respect for life. To Yoshiko Shimabukuro, Americans were long-nosed demons who rained hellfire from the skies before raping and pillaging anything with the worse-than-death fate of crossing their path.

Both the 18-year-old U.S. Marine and the 17-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl had known the enemy only from the virulent propaganda they had been fed. When they finally met their foes in the closing months of World War II, in separate, back-to-back battles hundreds of miles apart, it was on the most terrifying terms. And in the 70 years since, it has been difficult to reconcile the hatred of the past with the peace of the present.

[Baker]
“We were indoctrinated throughout that the Japanese were a people to be hated. . . . I was a good soldier. I developed a brutal mentality. I didn’t avoid contact.”

“The hate and bitterness I felt for the Japanese, which was universal during World War II, was left on Iwo Jima,” Baker said after the visit. “That was then, this is now.”

Baker, after returning home from Japan, pursued an education — interrupted for a year by more combat in the Korean War. He became an aerospace engineer and was active in the space program before switching to journalism and publishing. The 88-year-old has lived in Delaplane, Virginia, for the past 55 years.

[Shimabukuro]
“We called them the American beasts. We were taught that if they captured us, they wouldn’t just kill us. They would strip us naked, rape us. So we weren’t as afraid to die as we were afraid of being captured alive.”

“Being captured was the greatest shame. I thought they were just trying to deceive us by being kind, and that they would eventually kill us in some terrible way. The kinder they were the more I distrusted them.”

Shimabukuro went on to become a teacher. In 1984, she and other survivors of the Himeyuri unit built a museum near the last cave where she served. A few weeks ago, they gave their last formal lectures. The 87-year-old says they just do not have the strength anymore.

Read the full article.

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, History, International, World War II | Leave a comment

HUOA Senior Health & Fitness Fair 6/19/15, 9am-1pm

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Fair, Health | Leave a comment

2015 Hawaii Okinawan Golf Tournament May 23-24

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Click image to view

Click image to view the original announcement and entry form.

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Tournament | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ichi Hanno, Okinawan Band from Santo André, Brazil

Posted on April 30, 2015 by loochoo77
Ichi Hanno

Ichi Hanno, Okinawan band from Santo André, Brazil.

Visit their site, Ichi Hanno, and listen to samples of their work, “Kui Nu Hanna” and “Uminchu.”

Ichi Hanno is a band that describes their style as world music because its essence is basically traditional and modern music from Okinawa with percussions used in Brazilian music, with African roots, and rock in all its aspects. The members are Brazilians, descendants of Okinawa who met at parties in the Okinawan community in Brazil. They decided to invest their musical potential in the production of traditional Okinawan music with a new look, including guitars and percussion. They are currently finishing their first album entitled Mandinga Utina (Okinawa Magic), which will in addition to versions of popular songs of Okinawa include their own compositions.

Denis Oyakawa – Bass, Vocals
Ricardo Kakazu – Guitar, Vocals
Marco Oyakawa – Guitar, Percussion, Vocals
Danilo Kakazu – Sanshin
Maike Jahana – Drums

[Original text in Portuguese]
Ichi Hanno
Ichi Hanno, é uma banda que se enquadra no estilo world music, pois sua essência é basicamente musica tradicional e moderna de Okinawa (província japonesa), percussões usadas em músicas brasileiras com raízes africanas e rock em todas suas vertentes. Os integrantes são brasileiros, descendentes de Okinawa e se conheceram em festas da comunidade okinawana do Brasil. Então resolveram investir suas potencialidades musicais na produção de musicas tradicionais de Okinawa com nova roupagem, incluindo guitarras e percussões. Atualmente estão finalizando seu primeiro disco intitulado “Mandinga Utina”, que terá além das versões de músicas populares de Okinawa, composições de autoria própria.

Denis Oyakawa – Baixo,voz
Ricardo Kakazu – Guitarra ,Vocal
Marco Oyakawa – Guitarra,percussões,voz
Danilo Kakazu – Sanshin
Maike Jahana – Bateria

Posted in Announcement, International, Music | Leave a comment

Prefectural Rep. Itokazu to Speak on Okinawa Issues at UHM Hawaiian Studies Center 4/27/15 at 6:30pm

Posted on April 20, 2015 by loochoo77

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I know most of you won’t be able to make it, but I thought I would pass this on so you know what Okinawa is presently up against, especially Nago where the US wants to build a new base. Okinawa is saying, “Enough already. You’ve already taken much of our valuable land. Don’t take anymore.” Seems, again, Japan and the US aren’t listening. Please watch this video.



Gusuuyo Chuuganabira,

We received email from Okinawa Prefectural Government representative to the Japan Diet Ms. Keiko Itokazu. She will be visiting Hawaii April 26-30, with Nago Councilwoman Kumiko Onaga, Yomitan Councilwoman Kikue Tsuhako, and Chatan Councilwoman Hideko Tamanaha. Keiko Itokazu works closely with Governor Onaga in Okinawa and has been working hard for Okinawa democratic rights as well as having Ryukyuans/Okinawa represented in the United Nations as a world indigenous people.  She has been steadfast in leading the movement to recognize the discrimination Okinawa has experienced throughout history as well as what Okinawa is going through today.

Keiko Itokazu

Keiko Itokazu, a member of the upper house (equivalent to the U.S. Senate) in the Japanese Diet.

Event: Okinawa prefectural government representatives to discuss critical issues
Date: April 27, 2015, Monday
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Place: University of Hawai`i Manoa, Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, in the Halau Haumea (2645 Dole Street, next to the dorms)
Sponsors: Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies UH Manoa, Hawai`i Peace and Justice, Oceania Rising, and Ukwanshin Kabudan.
Cost: Free and open to the public as an educational presentation

She is an outspoken advocate for democracy in Okinawa and is one of the leading politicians fighting to raise Okinawans as equals to the rest of Japan. Her strong spirit and understanding of Okinawa history, culture and identity has helped to make a strong alliance with the majority of politicians and representatives of Okinawa, including Governor Onaga.  Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, International, Lecture, Politics | Leave a comment

Medical Students Sasaki and Tamura to Share Okinawa Experiences on 5/1/15

Posted on April 19, 2015 by loochoo77

Rodney HeaderFYI Folks!

Jennifer and Aileen will be sharing their wonderful experiences of their time in Okinawa — from a medical student point of view. They are the future . . .

Sasaki and Tamura

Jennifer Sasaki and Aileen Tamura

Event: Center for Okinawan Studies Monthly Lecture Series: Jennifer Sasaki and Aileen Tamura, two medical students completing their rotations at the University of the Ryukyus and Chubu Hospital in Okinawa, will share their educational experiences in Okinawa.
Date: 1 May 2015
Time: 3:00 pm
Place: Tokioka Room (Moore Hall 319), University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Cost: Free and open to public

Click image to view the large PDF.

Click image to view the original information flyer.

From: Center for Okinawan Studies
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2015
Subject: COS Lecture – May, 2015

“Please join us for the May presentation in the Center for Okinawan Studies Monthly Lecture Series. COS will feature Jennifer Sasaki and Aileen Tamura, recent recipients of the Matsuro & Tsuruko Nakasone Memorial Endowment Fund. These two medical students will complete their rotations at the University of the Ryukyus and Chubu Hospital in Okinawa and share their educational experiences in Okinawa. See attached informational flyer.”

Center for Okinawan Studies
School of Pacific and Asian Studies
University of Hawai’i at Manoa

Update 5/12/15.

Posted in Announcement, Culture, International, Lecture, Medical, Travel | Leave a comment

Uchinaaguchi Livestream on 4/13/15 at 7:30pm HST

Posted on April 13, 2015 by loochoo77

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Here’s an announcement from Ukwanshin’s Norman Kaneshiro and Eric Wada:

Ukwanshin Kabudan just went live

If you can’t make it down to Jikoen, you can tune in to the class via your computer!

Norman Kaneshiro: Hi all. Just wanted to announce we will be broadcasting our Shima Kutuba (Uchinaaguchi) class again, starting Monday nite, 13 April 2015, at 7:30pm Hawaii time. Please go to Ustream (see Ustream part of email below, click on “Watch it live”) and search for “Ukwanshin”. Hope you can join us. Thank you.

Eric Wada: Gusuuyo Chuuganabira! Just a reminder for Shimakutuba Study Group this coming Monday at 7:30 pm at Jikoen. We will be continuing getting used to common words for conversation, as well as location.

Ukwanshin Kabudan 1Ukwanshin Kabudan 2

Posted in Announcement, Culture, Instruction, International, Language | Leave a comment

My Trip to Okinawa in March 2015

Posted on April 9, 2015 by loochoo77

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Below is a photo of me with my friends Kazuo Kubo and Take Gima. We spent a Saturday together when my wife, Wei Wei, and I were in Tokyo, on the first part of our Japan-Okinawa-Taiwan trip. Take, who is sitting on my left, graduated with me from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Originally from Okinawa, he spent his career in the Tokyo area as a design electronics/computer engineer and executive in the industry.

Photo 1.

Photo 1. A photo of me with my friends Kazuo Kubo and Take Gima in Tokyo.

I remember the first time we met Take in Tokyo, he spent a long time with us over lunch. Wei Wei asked, “Isn’t your boss going to get concerned because you’re away from work for a long time?” I replied, “Honey, Take is the boss. He can spend as much time as he wants for lunch.”

Take is retired, but as a consultant, he says he does more work now than he ever did before he retired. The Inafuku family owes him a lot. When my dad asked me to contact my cousin, Yasuo Inafuku, in Okinawa, I went to Take for help. He not only found my cousin’s address and phone number, but he called him up!

Also, Take is my source for questions about Uchinaaguchi (Okinawan language, or Hogen) since he speaks it fluently. He told me he couldn’t understand why I felt that Uchinaaguchi was becoming extinct because he and everyone in his family, and all his friends in Okinawa, use it all the time. When he goes back to Okinawa to visit, that is what they speak.  Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment

The Overriding Emotion of Okinawans in WWII Was Patriotism

Posted on April 8, 2015 by loochoo77

On 1 June 2015, the contents of this article were combined with an article originally published a day earlier on 7 Apr. 2015. See the expanded article, “The Romantic View of Okinawans as Pacifists.” -JS

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, History, International, Op-ed, Review | Leave a comment

OAA Upcoming Events for 2015

Posted on April 7, 2015 by loochoo77

OAA Logo16500 South Western Avenue, Suite #203
Gardena, California 90249

OAA Family Bowling Event
April 19th • 10:00 AM Check-In (11AM Start)
@ Covina Bowl
1060 W. San Bernardino Rd., Covina 91722
$35 for adults (18 & up) • $25 for juniors (under 177)
 RSVP REQUIRED: oaabowling@gmail.com
Click here for application form
 Click here for more information

Rummage Truck Fundraiser
April 25th • 9:00 AM ~ 3:00 PM
@ the OAA Center parking lot
Click here for a list of acceptable donation items

Utayabira Wuduyabira (Let’s Sing, Let’s Dance)
Okinawan Performing Arts Concert
May 17th • 2:00 PM
@ the James R. Armstrong Theatre
3300 Civic Center Dr., Torrance 90503
Tickets are $20
Click here for more information

Annual Picnic, Okinawa Bon Dance, and Scholarship Awards
July 13th • 10:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM
@ Whittier Narrows Recreation Park
750 Santa Anita Ave., Area E-1, South El Monte
Parking: $6
Bento (pre-sale only): $7

Posted in Announcement, Dance, Fundraiser, International, Music, Picnic, Recreation, Schedule, Scholarship | Leave a comment

The Romantic View of Okinawans as Pacifists

Posted on April 7, 2015 by loochoo77

JimShimabukuro header
Expanded 6/1/151

Stephen Mansfield’s article, “Okinawa: In the Crosshairs of War” (Japan Times, 4 Apr. 2015), is troubling in the sense that it perpetuates a romantic myth about Okinawans that is repeatedly used for propaganda. For example, he claims that “Okinawans had no history of war, and did not make or carry arms.” A cursory review of Smits’ “Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism”2 quickly lays this myth to rest.

Children stand on the road during the Battle of Okinawa. Wikimedia Commons/National Archives and Record.

Children stand on the road during the Battle of Okinawa. Wikimedia Commons/National Archives and Record. The three photos with captions in this post are from Mansfield’s article.

This pacifist image feeds the myth of the mainland Japanese as villains responsible for the annihilation of a third of the Okinawan population in the Battle of Okinawa. Lost in this innocent vs. evil scenario is the culpability of the U.S. forces in the suffering and loss of civilian lives. The fact that they treated civilians humanely outside the field of battle does nothing to lessen the fact that they’re directly or indirectly responsible for the overwhelming proportion of the carnage.  Continue reading →

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, History, International, Op-ed, Politics | Leave a comment

2015 Kauai Okinawan Dance Festival May 8-9

Posted on April 7, 2015 by loochoo77
2015 Kauai OK Dance Fest

Click image to enlarge.

Posted in Announcement, Bazaar, Culture, Dance, Food, Music, Travel | Leave a comment

Mitsushima Hikari – Gifted Actress from Okinawa

Posted on March 22, 2015 by loochoo77
Mitsushima Hikari in a scene from All About My Siblings (若者たち), a 2014 Fuji TV drama series.

Mitsushima Hikari (満島ひかり) in a scene from All About My Siblings (Wakamonotachi 若者たち), a 2014 Fuji TV drama series. Mitsushima, a Japanese film actress and singer, was born on 30 November 1985 in Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan. She is a quarter French; her grandfather is French-American.

I first saw her in the 2013 NTV series Woman. See Heisui’s review, “Woman: Ep 1.” This afternoon, I watched the last episode of the 2014 Fuji TV series All About My Siblings. In Woman, you suspect she’s an exceptional actress when she not only holds her own but dominates scenes with Oguri Shun, and you realize she does so with restraint and subtlety even as she plays the role of a shy and frail character.

From

From All About My Siblings.

However, it’s in All About My Siblings, where the lead roles are played by two dominating male actors, Tsumabuki Satoshi (妻夫木聡) and Nagayama Eita (永山瑛太), and the key female roles are shared with two very talented actresses, Nagasawa Masami (長澤まさみ) and Yu Aoi (蒼井優), that Mitushima’s gift becomes obvious. As in Woman, she plays a gentle soul, this time in a house filled with raucous and rough male siblings.

From

From All About My Siblings

And again, she pulls it off, holding her own in scenes where her parts are less dramatic, less vocal. She has a presence, which is captured in a face that can only be described as the epitome of pixieish, especially her eyes, and the camera zooms in and lingers there even when her lines are minimally critical.  Continue reading →

Posted in Actor/Actress, Film, Review, Video | 2 Comments

Utayabira Wuduyabira – Okinawan Performance in Torrance, CA 5/17/15

Posted on March 16, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 4/7/15
Utayabira2015

Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 PM
James R Armstrong Theatre
3300 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, California 90503
Tickets: $20

Organized the OAA Geinobu (Performing Arts Committee), this biennial show features traditional and contemporary Ryukyu minyo (Okinawan folk music), buyo (dance), and taiko by Southern California-based instructors and their students.

Tickets available through Geinobu performers or the OAA office. For more information, please contact the OAA at (310) 532-1929 or oaamensore@gmail.com

Public · Dance Performance · Hosted by Okinawa Association of America 2009

Public · Dance Performance · Hosted by Okinawa Association of America 2009

Posted in Announcement, Concert, Culture, Dance, International, Music | Leave a comment

‘The Okinawan Koto Tradition in Hilo, Hawaii’ 4/10/15

Posted on March 15, 2015 by loochoo77

Updated 4/7/15

Ok Koto TradCenter for Okinawan Studies Monthly Lecture Series Presents:

“From ‘Tachiutushi’ to ‘Old Macdonald’: The Okinawan Koto Tradition in Hilo, Hawaii”

The presentation discusses Okinawan cultural continuity in the diaspora as well as the So-shin Kai Midori and efforts by the late Shizuko Akamine to preserve and perpetuate the koto tradition in Hilo.

This evolution maps one individual’s efforts to sustain interest in this ancient instrument among the Hilo community despite the decline in number of heritage practitioners.

Join us on
April 10, 2015
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
in Moore 319

Sponsored by: University of Hawai’i Center for Okinawan Studies ハワイ大学沖縄研究センター and cosponsored by UHM Music Department

Source: Ashley Nakanishi Shankles Facebook page, 3/12/15.

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US Olympian with Roots in Haneji, Okinawa

Posted on March 15, 2015 by loochoo77

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Yoshinobu (Yoshi) Oyakawa represented the United States at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helinski, Finland. There, he won the gold medal in the 100 meter backstroke setting a new record in the process. Yoshi is considered the last of the great “straight-arm-pull” backstrokers.

A Japanese American Nisei, Yoshi is the youngest of three children of Reverend Edward Kenichi Oyakawa, who immigrated to Hawaii from Kawakami village located in Haneji, Okinawa, in 1913; and Yaeko Arashiro Oyakawa, who immigrated to Hawaii with her family from Oyakawa village in Haneji, Okinawa, in 1920.

The map shows where Oyakawa and Kawakami villages are located in Haneji, which is in the northern part of Okinawa island. Note how close Kawakami and Oyakawa villages are. Haneji River separates the two villages.

The map shows where Oyakawa and Kawakami villages are located in Haneji which is located in the northern part of Okinawa island. Note how close Kawakami and Oyakawa villages are. Haneji river is what separates the two villages.

The map shows where Oyakawa and Kawakami villages are located in Haneji, which is in the northern part of Okinawa island. Note how close Kawakami and Oyakawa villages are. Haneji River separates the two villages.

Yoshi was born on August 9, 1933, on the east side of the Big Island in Holualoa, Kona. He grew up in Papaikou, where his father was a minister. Yoshi’s talent for swimming was discovered when he was a teenager. In the ninth grade, he participated in the American Red Cross swimming program at the Naval Air Station pool in Hilo.

Standing on the podium at the Helinski Olympics in 1952.

Standing on the podium at the Helinski Olympics in 1952.

He joined the Hilo Aquatic Team and began competing. When he was a junior, he joined Hilo High School’s first swimming team and was coached by Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto. In 1950, Yoshi swam in the Senior Nationals in Seattle, Washington. In 1951, he established a new Hawaiian record in the 100-yard backstroke with the second best time in the nation.  Continue reading →

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Students from Okinawa Visit the Hawaii State Capitol

Posted on March 13, 2015 by loochoo77

Note: The text, photos, and captions in this article are from a post by Lopaka Baptiste in 21maile on 13 March 2015. Baptiste is on Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s staff.

Former Representative Dennis Arakaki is on far left, Senator Maile Shimabukuro is in the center, with the Okinawan Prefectural Board of Education officials. Click image to enlarge.

Former Representative Dennis Arakaki is on far left, Senator Maile Shimabukuro is in the center with the Okinawan Prefectural Board of Education officials. The Senator’s paternal grandparents have roots in Urasoe and Yonabaru, cities located in Okinawa Prefecture. Click image to enlarge.

In June of 1985, the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Okinawa became sister-states. During the 1990 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 154 requesting the Department of Education to Establish an Exchange Program with Okinawa.

Over the years, over 700 students from Okinawa and over 500 students from Hawaii have benefited from the exchange. When you include those who have hosted but not travelled, the numbers rise to over a thousand on each side.  Continue reading →

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An A’ala Street Story

Posted on February 23, 2015 by loochoo77

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Gladys Sui Bun Young, my mother, was born on November 28, 1917, at home at 1071 A’ala Street bordering A’ala Park and across the river from Chinatown. Gladys was one of six girls born into the Young family. In their growing up years, I imagine they often played on A’ala Street in front of their building. Today, this part of the street, between Beretania and King Streets, is no more (see the old map below), but sometimes I get the feeling that the spirits of the people who used to live there are still there.

Aala Street in front of the building where my mother was born and raised. Today, this part of the street, between Beretania and King Streets, is no more, but sometimes I get the feeling that the spirits of the people who used to live there are still there.

Aala Street in front of the building where my mother, Gladys Sui Bun Young, was born and raised. Today, this part of the street, between Beretania and King Streets, is no more.

This Chinese theatre (photo below) on A’ala Street, a few doors down from where little Gladys lived, was built in 1920.

This Chinese theatre on Aala Street a few doors down from the Young residence on 1071 Aala St where little girl Gladys Young lived,... was built in 1920.

This Chinese theatre on Aala Street, a few doors down from  where little Gladys lived, was built in 1920.

Below is a picture of two kids standing in front of the theatre. The original caption says that these were two little boys, but I wondered if the kid on the left could be a girl, perhaps one of the Young girls. See the enlargement of the two kids.  Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Culture, History, Images, International | 3 Comments

Marathon, Miss Okinawa, Sogo Hospital, Nakasone Endowment, AmerAsian School, Karate & China

Posted on February 13, 2015 by loochoo77

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redbox Sunday’s Okinawa Marathon is a wide open event, as more than 11,000 runners toe the Okinawa City starting line for the kick off of the 26.2-mile event…. The Okinawa Marathon begins at Awase, then carries runners through Takahara, near Koza, to Yonashiro Town, north to Kawata and then Agena Intersection, and on to the midway point near Camp McTureous. The race continues to the northernmost checkpoint at Enobi, then turns southwest through Kariyushien, Chibana and Ikentou before moving onto Kadena Air Base, then out through Chatan town. The final 10 kilometers travel through Yamauchi, alongside Camp Foster and into the home stretch to Comprehensive Athletic Park finish line. Sunday’s Okinawa Marathon issues challenges, Japan Update 2/12/15.

redbox On January 20, three Miss Okinawa 2015, Ayami Machida (Miss Sky Blue), Riyo Kisyaba (Miss Cobalt Blue), Azusa Ahagon (Miss Clean Green Gracious) visited the Ryukyu Shimpo Office. A visit from Miss Okinawa queens, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1/20/15. Also see Three winners of Miss Okinawa 2015, Ryukyu Shimpo, 11/3/14.

redbox Urasoe Sogo Hospital, one of the major emergency hospitals in Okinawa, has become the first hospital in the prefecture to employ a translation system to help communication between doctors, hospital staff and foreign patients. The translation system, provided by NEC, utilizes a tablet computer that is connected 24-hours a day, seven days a week to professional translators in an NEC-operated center in Tokyo that will provide translations in real time…. The NEC translation center … has a staff of 150…. The service covers five languages, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese. Urasoe hospital installs real-time foreign language service, Japan Update 2/13/15.  Continue reading →

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