Choko Takayama: A VIP and a Family Friend

Posted on September 27, 2014 by loochoo77

Rodney Header

My meeting with Choko Takayama was an amazing happening. Three years ago, a friend working at the Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park wasn’t feeling well so she was told to rest in the VIP tent. There, she talked with Mr. Takayama about Okinawa. She knew I was watching the entertainment at the bandstand close by and that I’ve been doing research on Okinawa, its history and culture, so she called me over.

Choko Takayama

Choko Takayama

I met Mr. Takayama. He asked me where in Okinawa my family came from.

I replied, “My Inafuku family came from Oyakawa village in Haneji. My cousin, Yasuo Inafuku, still lives there in Taira village, which is next to Oyakawa village.”

He said, “Ah yes, I know Yasuo very well. We were next door neighbors. You see, I’m originally from Taira village.”

That came as a big surprise. And then he started telling me things about my Inafuku family in Haneji that I didn’t know about. I was speechless. I go to the festival to eat Okinawan food and watch some entertainment, and it just so happens that I meet someone who knows a lot about my Inafuku family in Okinawa? Unbelievable.

Mr. Takayama is considered a VIP, and since there was also a booklet about him in the VIP tent, I learned about him. He is, indeed, a very important person. But to me, he is, more than anything, a family friend. He is a connection between me and my cousin Yasuo in Okinawa.

When I introduced my wife and told him that she’s from Taiwan, he started conversing with her in Mandarin. So Mr. Takayama is quite the learned man for sure, knowing how to speak Chinese as well as English, besides Japanese and Uchinaguchi.

The next year I came to see Mr. Takayama at the Okinawan Festival, he gave me a booklet, which contains a collection of articles he wrote over the years for the Okinawa Times.

The photo above is of a young Choko Takayama, from his booklet, taken on March 28, 1963, I believe, at the East-West Center at UH-Manoa. Here’s a brief bio, also from his booklet:

Writer: Choko Takayama

Academic background:
– Graduated University of the Ryukyus in 1958
– Studied at UH from 1962-1964 as an East-West Center grantee

Vocational background:
– Deputy Director, NHK Okinawa Station
– Director of the governor’s office of the prefectural Government of Okinawa
– Chief of Staff of the Prefectural Government of Okinawa
– President, Okinawa Prefectural Trust & Guarantee Association
– Deputy Mayor of Naha
– Many years of service as president EWC/EWCA Okinawa Chapter

Posted in Biography, Culture, Festival, History, International, Politics | 1 Comment

Loochoo Identity Conference 2015 – March 20-22 on Maui

Posted on September 26, 2014 by loochoo77

Forwarded by Rodney Inefuku on 9/26/14

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to view the flyer on Ukwanshin Kabudan. Click here to register online or click here for the Registration Form.

From: Ukwanshin Kabudan
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:26 AM
Subject: Conference on Okinawan Identity and Cultural Sustainability 沖縄アイデンティティコンフレンス

Gusuuyo Chuuganabira,

We are happy to announce the first LooChoo(Ryukyu) Identity Conference to be held next March on the island of Maui.

LOOCHOO IDENTITY CONFERENCE
“NINUFWA BUSHI MII ATI” Looking At The North Star

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 through SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 *Only 5 months away!!!

Preregistration $90 adults $60 student (includes dinner on Friday and Saturday evening, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday).  Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Conference, Culture, International | Leave a comment

Shimakutuba, Standup Paddle Boarding, Ryukyu King & Queen, Ogimi, Underweight Babies, Hula, Tourism Boom

Posted on September 23, 2014 by loochoo77

Umushirikutu
umushirikutu02
Yaeyma Standup Paddle Boarding Association launched to promote the sport in Okinawa (Ryukyu Shimpo 9/8/14): It plans to hold training sessions and competitions, and train instructors. It will promote SUP as a new marine sport in Okinawan tourism, and try to attract more members. According to the association, the Hawaii-born sport is getting popular in Japan. However, there have been accidents involving loss of life.

Shimakutuba lesson is essential to the development of Okinawa Culture (Ryukyu Shimpo 9/3/14): The Shimakutuba Liaison Council has made a petition to the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly seeking to enact a regulation on the protection of local languages…. A native Hawaiian educational organization was founded in 1983 in Hawaii. Elementary, middle and high schools conducting lessons in Hawaiian language emerged. As a result, the number of people 70 years of age or younger who speak Hawaiian has increased to more than 2,000 people. Less than 50 people spoke Hawaiian in 1982.

New Ryukyu king and queen selected at Shurijo Castle Park event (Ryukyu Shimpo 9/8/14): A selection ceremony for a new “king” and “queen” took place at the event “Mid-Autumn Feast” held in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle in Naha on September 7. Twenty-year-old company employee Daichi Teruya was chosen in the role of “king” and 25-year-old nursing teacher Marina Oyama as “queen.”

Okinawa has more underweight babies than national average (Japan Update 9/18/14): The Okinawa Prefecture health officials analyze that, as the teenage birth rate here is more than double the national average, teen mothers have a low number of maternity health checkups at a clinic during their pregnancy, and also the risk of smoking tends to be high.

Ogimi Village residents live longest in world (Japan Update 9/18/14): Ogimi is famous for not only longevity but also Shiquasa, a citrus fruit, and Bashofu, a very traditional Okinawan cloth. More than 60% of Shiquasa production in Okinawa comes from Ogimi Village and this citrus contains remarkable quantities of citric acid, nobiletin, vitamin C, vitamin B1, carotene and many minerals. Especially important is nobiletin, which prevents cancer in general. It is also said that shiquasa could be a factor in the area’s longevity.

Hula sparks Hawaiian Night at Global Village (Japan Update 9/22/14): Hawaiian Night is coming up September 27th at the Global Village in Ginowan City.

Okinawa tourism income 2013 hits record high (Japan Update 9/21/14): The Okinawa Prefectural Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports announced on Sep. 19th that tourism income in fiscal 2013 increased by 12.1% to ¥447.868 billion setting a new record. The department cites the impact of attracting people by LCC airlines, expansion of airline routes, economy’s recovery and lower yen, as the main reasons for the increase. Officials say the number of visitors hit the highest level ever totaling 6.58 million. At the same time, the amount of consumption per person increased by 0.9% from the same time last year to ¥68,062 per visitor. The increase is the first in three years.

Posted in Business, Culture, International, Language | Leave a comment

‘Residual Sovereignty in Practice: Japanese Law and Government in the US-Adminstered Okinawa, 1952-1972’ – Lecture on 9/30/14 at 3pm – UH-Manoa, Moore 319

Posted on September 21, 2014 by loochoo77

Forwarded by Rodney Inefuku on 9/21/14

Click image to enlarge.

Click image for the original PDF.

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

‘Sunrise Restaurant’ in Kapahulu – Okinawan Cuisine

Posted on September 20, 2014 by loochoo77
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Celebrated my brother-in-law’s birthday with family at the Sunrise Restaurant at 525 Kapahulu Avenue (phone 808-737-4118), close to Waikiki. The restaurant, which specializes in Okinawan dishes, is actually on Herbert Street. Some of the dishes in the photo: soki (sparerib) soup, yakisoba, pork tofu, Dynamite appetizer (seafood), sushi combo. We also had deep fried squid, pigs feet soup, soba, and goya champuru.

Our waiter spontaneously picked up a sanshin and sang some popular Okinawan songs, including "Asadoya Yunta" and The Boom's hit song "Shima Uta." We learned that he once played with a rock band in Tokyo.

Our waiter spontaneously picked up a sanshin and sang some popular Okinawan songs, including “Asadoya Yunta” and The Boom’s hit song “Shima Uta.” We learned that he once played with a rock band in Tokyo. He ended the celebration with a kachashi number that had everyone dancing in their seats.

Posted in Culture, Food, Restaurant | Leave a comment

Okinawan Festival 2014: Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun

Posted on September 17, 2014 by loochoo77

Rodney HeaderHi Folks!

Finally getting around to talking about my own experience at the Okinawan Festival.
Wife and I met daughter and her boyfriend at KCC. We’all took the bus shuttle to Kapiolani Park. First thing, we went look’n for food. I looked for a shady spot under a tree amongst other locals while wife and daughter went to buy food. We each had the delicious andagi, champuru and half-chicken. My daughter really liked the champuru! I think she’s sold on coming to the Okinawan festivals from now on. Kau kau hit the spot but, boy, was it hot!

Saw Drusilla’s wonderful mom, Jeanette Akamine, in the tent signing her grandson Grant Sato’s cookbooks. Said hello. Was good to see her. And there was Daniel Arashiro, her brother, not my cousin, standing behind me. Introduced my daughter to them.

Choko Takayama and Herbert Shimabukuro

Choko Takayama and Herbert Shimabukuro

From there, we went to the VIP tent. I was looking for Choko Takayama (Okinawa Hawaii Kyokai President). He was sitting there talking with retired judge Herbert Shimabukuro. I joined in. Introduced my wife and daughter. They stayed for a minute, then left. Don’t think they were interested in engaging in conversation with three old guys.

Judge Shimabukuro asked me my name.

“I’m Rodney Inefuku,” I replied.

First thing he asked, “Do you know Raymond Inafuku?”

“Oh yeah. He’s my uncle.  My Dad’s older brother.”

It wasn’t a surprise that he knew my uncle, I’m guessing, because my uncle Raymond was very active with the Haneji Club, and I’m sure Judge has been active with the club a long time also. I mentioned that my Dad was Ronald Inefuku, but the judge didn’t know him. I thought, See, Dad, all you did was play golf and drink beer, and the only people who know you are your family and your golfing buddies.  Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Fair, Festival, History, International, Karate | Leave a comment

110 Titles Added to University of Hawaii and University of Ryukyus Digital Archives

Posted on September 13, 2014 by loochoo77

Announcement forwarded by Rodney Inefuku 9/13/14

Sakamaki HawleyThe University of Hawaii at Manoa Library and the University of the Ryukyus Library are pleased to announce the availability of the digital archives site for the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection.Over hundred items of 218 digitized titles are now online at the University of the Ryukyus Library Ryukyu/Okinawa Special Collections Digital Archives. In addition to content summaries & explanations in English & Japanese, special features such as a glass view function, modern language translations, and text reprints of the original language will be added at a later date. Please stay tuned for the rest of the digitized titles to be online early 2015.

List of the titles of the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection online
The University of the Ryukyus Special Collections Archives
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Library’s Sakamaki/Hawley Collection

Source 9/5/14:
Tokiko Y. Bazzell (バゼル山本登紀子), Japan Studies Librarian
University of Hawaii at Manoa Library
Asia Collection Dept.

Posted in Announcement, Art, Culture, History, International | Leave a comment

Okinawa Wins Men’s Team and Individual Kata at Karate 1 Premier League Championships 2014

Posted on September 11, 2014 by loochoo77


Okinawa — Ryo Kiyuna (Ryueiryu and Kobudo-ryuhokai), Arata Kinjo (Ryueiryu and Kobudo-ryuhokai) and Takuya Uemura (Okinawa International University) — won the team kata title at the Karate 1 Premier League Championships held on 31 August 2014 at the Okinawa Prefectural Budokan in Naha City. This is the third year in a row that they’ve won the title. See the official results.


Ryo Kiyuna won the men’s individual kata title. In the video, he is the second performer, and his kata begins at the 5:00-minute mark.

The Karate 1 Premier League Championships is part of the World Karate Federation.

The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the largest international governing body of sport karate with over 130 member countries. It was formed in 1990 and is the only karate organization recognised by the International Olympic Committee and has more than ten million members. The WKF organizes the Junior and Senior Karate World Championships, which are each held every other year. The President of the WKF is Antonio Espinos, and the headquarters are located in Madrid, Spain. The styles recognised by the WKF are Gōjū-ryū, Shitō-ryū, Shotokan and Wadō-ryū. (Wikipedia)

Also see Taichi Hirayasu’s “Okinawa Team Wins Championship at Karate 1 Premier League” in Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 Sep. 2014.

Posted in Culture, International, Karate, Sports, Travel, Video | Leave a comment

Bet You Didn’t Know This About David Ige

Posted on September 11, 2014 by loochoo77
David Ige with wife, Dawn, and their three children, Lauren, Amy, and Matthew.

Gubernatorial candidate David Ige with wife, Dawn, and their three children, Matthew, Lauren, and Amy.

Liuchiuan received an email tip about Denby Fawcett’s “Who the Heck Is David Ige?” (Honolulu Civil Beat, 2 Sep. 2014) from Rodney Inefuku on 9 Sep. 2014. The article is a refreshing personal glimpse into the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. The following excerpt gives us an insight into Ige, the kind that only family and good friends are privy to, and it reveals a side that’s fun loving and warm.

Ige’s strangely attractive laugh is about his only characteristic that friends say propels him into the rock star category.  It is a combination of a giggle, a guffaw and a chuckle. I have never heard a laugh like it. It cuts through the air in any room.

Ige’s wife Dawn, who is now a public school vice principal, says it was David Ige’s laugh that first drew her to him when they were students at the UH.

“The laugh — it was loud,” say Dawn Ige. “ It also showed me that someone who was intelligent but also had a sense of humor and lots of laughter in his life. I knew from that point on, life with David would not be boring.”

Childhood friend Yamamoto says,  “When you hear David’s laugh, you turn to find him in a room.  It is so distinctive.  It is like his fingerprint.”

For more on Ige, go to his campaign website.

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Are the Taira in Okinawa Descendants of the Heike?

Posted on September 10, 2014 by loochoo77

Rodney Inefuku120By Rodney Inefuku
Electrical and Computer Engineer, retired
Facebook

Last updated 9/11/14

In Okinawa: History of an Island People,1 George Kerr writes about the feud between the Taira Clan and the Minamoto family in Japan during the 9th century (pages 47-49). To make a long story short, the Minamoto defeated the Taira in 1186.

The defeated Taira fled into remote mountain retreats or to distant offshore islands to escape ruthless Minamoto vengeance. There is some reason to believe that many Taira adherents fled southward from Kyushu into the Ryukyu Islands…. The villagers on Yonaguni who lived nearby have always claimed descent from Taira refugees and have kept themselves somewhat aloof from other natives on the island. (49)

Ryukyu-Heike

Yonaguni island is the “southernmost” island in Okinawa. From Yonaguni, you can see Taiwan. It’s that close. I guess to flee the Minamotos, the Tairas went as far south as they could — without going to China (Taiwan). Take a look at the map below.

YaeyamaIs[1]

In Hawaii, there are many people with the “Taira” surname. Most came from Haneji ken in Okinawa. (See the ken map below.) The founder of Kings Bakery, famous for its Hawaiian sweetbread, Robert Taira2, was from Haneji. In the photo below, he looks true blue Uchinanchu, stocky with large eyes. He doesn’t look Naichi at all.

Robert Taira

Robert Taira

In To Our Issei: Our Heartfelt Gratitude (2000), I foud 41 Issei Tairas in the Okinawan clubs: 16 from Haneji, 7 from Oroku, which is in Naha city close to the airport, 4 from Nishihara, which is very close to Shuri castle, and others, here and there.

In my Haneji club book3, there are 4 Tairas. Investigating further, I found that they all came from villages close to the coast. It would be interesting to talk to them to see if they know their Taira family history.

The following is a map of the kens in Okinawa. I got this from Uchinanchu: A History of Okinawans in Hawai‘i (1984).

OkinawaMap4a[1]OkinawaMap4b[2]

__________

1 I’ve read Kerr’s book quite a few times as questions about Okinawa and Okinawans keep popping up in my head. My copy is underlined and tabbed all over — and dog-eared.  What’s amazing is that every time I re-read a section, it’s like I’m reading it for the first time. Back during the ’80s, my office at Pearl Harbor was next to the Navy library. I found Kerr’s book lying on the floor amongst a bunch of books that the library was going to give away or get rid of. The librarian told me I could have it, so I took it home and stuck it in my library. I didn’t read it for about 25 years, thinking it would be boring. When I finally did, I found it to be fascinating, thorough, and very informative. It is my source for Okinawan history.

2 Robert Taira is a Nisei. His parents came from Haneji and settled in Hilo where Robert was born. See his bio.

3 This is a book that my Haneji club handed out at our annual dinner. It contained the names of all the club members and what village they came from. That was an interesting book.

Posted in History, Op-ed | 7 Comments

‘Typhoon of Steel’ – All-Okinawan MIS Unit in Battle of Okinawa

Posted on September 1, 2014 by loochoo77

Typhoon of Steel, a 19-minute video released on 7 May 2013, was directed by Gena S. Hamamoto with support from the Center for Ethno Communications of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and many other sources that are listed at the end of the video. Here’s a brief introduction provided by Hamamoto:

Typhoon of Steel is a short community-based documentary film that explores the lives of two Okinawan American Kibei Nisei [Frank Seiyu Higashi and Takejiro Higa] who served in the U.S. military as linguists in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. [The formation of this top secret Military Intelligence Service, or MIS, was suggested by Sergeant Tom Ige.] While Japanese Americans on the West Coast were incarcerated in camps, these men risked their lives to prove their loyalty to America. Born in the U.S. and raised in Okinawa, their cultural and linguistic skills were a tactical asset to the military. But emotions ran high as they saved their own families, and witnessed civilian casualties and the devastation of the island they once called home.

Gena Hamamoto

Gena Hamamoto

The following is a brief bio of Hamamoto:

Gena is an independent filmmaker and media arts educator. From incarcerated youth to Bangladeshi high school students living in Koreatown to senior filmmakers, Gena has had the pleasure and privilege of working for media programs with diverse communities of all ages and skill levels throughout Los Angeles. She discovered community-based filmmaking as a graduate student in the UCLA Center for EthnoCommunications program, where she currently works as Assistant Director. She produced her first feature narrative film, The Crumbles, which is currently being distributed on Amazon and Vimeo On Demand.

Posted in Culture, Film, History, International, Language, Video | 1 Comment

Okinawan Women, Karate, Ta-Taki, etc.

Posted on September 1, 2014 by loochoo77

Umushirikutu
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“Okinawa women score high as business leaders,” Japan Update, 8/27/14: A survey by Teikoku Databank Fukuoka says Kyushu and Okinawa areas are strongest in female leadership in Japan, scoring 8.5% of the presidencies. The national average is 7.4% female corporate leaders. Okinawa has 9.8% of its presidencies filled by women, a total of 1,002 leaders. Aomori topped the rankings.

“Karate taking center stage at [Okinawa] Budokan,” Japan Update, 8/29/14: Many of the world’s best martial arts competitors are converging on the Okinawa Prefecture Budokan for world class competition this weekend. The Karate-1 Premium League is hosting the tournament…. This weekend marks the first time this world competition is being held on Okinawa. More than 50 countries are participating in the tournament and super battle.

Jun Ikemura, “Island’s best river trekking is northern Okinawa challenge,” Japan Update, 9/1/14: Ta-taki means two waterfalls in the Okinawan dialect, and it is a breathtaking sight, particularly after a deluge makes the waterfalls appear as one. We’re talking about a trip into Okinawa’s rugged north country, checking in with Ta-Waterfall at Ogimi Village.

Music village opens in Okinawa City,” Ryukyu Shimpo, 8/14/14: On August 12, the opening ceremony for music resource center Music Village was held at Ichibangai in Okinawa City. The Music Village exhibits photographs, sound sources, and films of Okinawa folk songs, jazz, rock, and other music.

“Ten years since U.S. helicopter crashed into Okinawa International University: Students hold a symposium at university,” Ryukyu Shimpo, 8/13/14: Ten years have passed since an American military helicopter crashed into Okinawa International University on August 13, 2004. On August 12, university students discussed the issues of the U.S. military bases in Okinawa at events held at the same university and other places in Ginowan.

Shell Burger, “Mid-Autumn Celebration at Shuri Castle,” Okinawa Hai!, 9/1/14: Every September around the fall equinox, or what the Japanese call “Mid-Autumn,” Shuri Castle holds what they call their “Mid-Autumn Celebration” where they keep the castle grounds open after dark and allow visitors to enter the “pay” portion of the park to view a live performance for free.

Louie Sanchez, “Sukumichi Road and the Old Okukubi Bridge,” Map It! Okinawa, 25 Aug. 2014: In the days of the Old Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawans developed an early road system to help them travel from one end of the island to the other. One major road was called Sukumichi which had passed through the village of Kin (present-day Kin Town).

Okinawa Association of America (Gardena, CA), Annual Bazaar: October 12, 2014, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Okinawan Food, Entertainment, Games, Raffles. OAA Center Parking Lot. More Information T.B.A.

Posted in Announcement, Business, Culture, Dance, History, International, Karate, Music | Leave a comment

Juuguya, Moon Festival and Grandparents Day Festival (Honolulu) 9/7/14 at 5pm

Posted on August 31, 2014 by loochoo77

From: Rodney Inefuku
Date: 8/31/14

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

From: Ukwanshin Kabudan
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 1:13 PM
Subject: Juuguya, Moon Festival and Grandparent’s Day Festival

Gusuuyo Chuuganabira!

Just a reminder that next week Wednesday is the LAST day to RSVP for the Juuguya Moon Festival on /Sunday September 7th starting at 5pm. at Jikoen Hall.

Please send in your RSVP by email at ukwanshinevents@gmail.com or call 808-845-5192.

We will open at 5pm. for registration and will begin dinner at around 6 pm followed by music and entertainment.   Continue reading →

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

‘Tukeeya Hizamitin’ & Grandparents Day Festival (Honolulu) 9/7/14 at 2pm

Posted on August 31, 2014 by loochoo77

From: Rodney Inefuku
Date: 8/31/14

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Hello Folks! Grandparents Day, Sunday 7 Sept. at Ryukyuan Music and Dance Tukeeya Hizamitin at Mamiya Theatre (on the campus of St. Louis School). Cost:  $30 for general seating, $20 for Awamori, Shochu, Soju & Wine tasting.  Contact:  Senjukai Hawaii at  (808) 754-8828,  email:   Senjukaihawaii@gmail.com

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

Okinawan Festival 2014 – Photos

Posted on August 31, 2014 by loochoo77

Last updated 8/31/14

These photos were shot between 2:50pm and 3:40pm on Saturday, 8/30/14, at the annual Okinawan Festival in Kapiolani Park, Honolulu. Thus, they capture only a brief 50-minute slice of the 2-day event. Still, they capture some of the excitement that the festival generates year after year.

Stalls 2

 

lunch

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Bon Dance Stage 2

Vegetables

Nankuru Sanshin, Radio Okinawa's 2014 Miuta Taisho Winner.

Nankuru Sanshin, Radio Okinawa’s 2014 Miuta Taisho Winner.

Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Exhibit, Fair, Festival, Food, History, Images, International, Karate, Language, Travel | Leave a comment

2014 Okinawan Festival Program (Honolulu) Aug. 30-31

Posted on August 17, 2014 by loochoo77

(See photos from the 2014 festival.)

Source: Okinawan Festival Program, sponsored by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Accessed 8/17/14. This schedule is subject to change. Visit the festival’s official website.

Saturday, 8/30/14

9:00am – RYUKYU SOKYOKU KOYO KAI HAWAII SHIBU

  • Jane Kaneshiro & Bonnie Miyashiro, Co-chairs
  • Jane Kaneshiro Sozan Kai
  • Bonnie Miyashiro Soho Kai
  • Toma Toyoko Sokyoku Kai
  • Kaya Hatsuko Sokyoku Kai
  • Yamashiro Yoneko Sokyoku Kenkyu Kai
  • Yasuko Arakawa Aki no Kai
  • Sunny Tominaga Sokyoku Sanyuukai
  • Chieko Miyasato Sokyoku Kai

9:30am – NOMURA RYU ONGAKU KYO KAI HAWAII SHIBU
Seiichi Yagi, Chapter President

10:00am – HAWAII TAIKO KAI
Terry Higa, Instructor

10:25am – OPENING PROCESSION
HUOA Banners, Shishimai, Chondara, Paranku Clubs of Hawaii

10:50am – FORMAL OPENING CEREMONIES
(Scavenger Hunt Finals)

11:30am – HOOGE RYU HANA NUUZI NO KAI NAKASONE DANCE ACADEMY
Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone, Grand Master and Director

Noon – AFUSO RYU CHOICHI KAI HAWAII
Grant Murata, Chapter President
AFUSO RYU KAJI NO KAI HAWAII
Kenton Odo & June Nakama , Shihan

12:50pm – RYUSEI HONRYU RYŪKŌKAI
Mitsuko Toguchi Nakasone, Kaishu

1:20pm – RYUKYUKOKU MATSURI DAIKO HAWAII
Akemi Martin, Regional Director

2:00pm – JIMPU KAI USA, KIN RYOSHO RYUKYU GEINO KENKYUSO
Cheryl Yoshie Nakasone, Artistic Director

2:30pm – SHORIN RYU HAWAII SEIBUKAN
Masakazu Teruya, Kancho

3:00pm – RADIO OKINAWA’S 2014 MIUTA TAISHO WINNER — NANKURU SANSHIN

3:40pm – OKINAWA’S BANJO AI accompanied by JIM ROCK

4:20pm – OKINAWA MINYO KYOKAI HAWAII / URIZUN MINYO GROUP
Derek Ichiro Shiroma Sensei

4:50pm – KACHASHI
“Kachashi Lesson by Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko” (YouTube 4/26/11)

5:00pm – PAU

OKINAWAN FESTIVAL BON DANCE
[Bon dance lessons on video.]
5:30pm – Opening/Welcome – Emcee Jon Itomura
5:45pm – Young Okinawans of Hawaii, David Jones, President
6:45pm – Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi, Todd Imamura, President
7:20pm – Hawaii Shin Kobukai, Betty Dela Cuesta, Head Instructor
7:55pm – Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai, Marion Kanemori, Vice-President & Dance Committee Chair
8:30pm – Hawaii Eisa Shinyuu Kai, Melissa Uyenten, President
9:20pm – KACHASHI

Sunday, 8/31/14

9:00am – KILAUEA OKINAWA DANCE CLUB
Toshiko Neumann, Leader

9:15am – NUUANU OKINAWA SHORIN-RYU / SHINDEN-RYU KARATE ASSOCIATION
Mitchel Shimamura Sensei

9:40am – HAWAII OKINAWA CREATIVE ARTS
Jon Itomura, President, and Eric Nitta, Vice-President

10:10am – HUOA ICHIGO ICHI E CLASS
Derek Asato, Instructor

10:30pm – HUI OKINAWA KOBUDO TAIKO
Troy Sakihara, Leader
(Scavenger Hunt Finals)

11:00am – SHINSATO SHOSEI KAI
Katsumi Shinsato Sensei

11:30am – KIKUE KANESHIRO RYUBU KENKYU KAI
Alfred Yama Kina, Contact

Noon – TAMAGUSUKU RYU SENJU KAI — FRANCES NAKACHI RYUBU DOJO
Frances Nakachi Kuba, Artistic Director

12:40pm – YARA NO AYAGU• YARA NO EISAA OF KADENA TOWN, OKINAWA

1:20pm – NIDAIME TEISHIN KAI HAWAII SHIBU & HUOA SANSHIN CLASS
Allison Yanagi, Shibucho & Wallace Onuma, President

2:00pm – RYUKYU SOKYOKU HOZON KAI–SARINA SOKYOKU KENKYUSHO
Sarina Udd Sensei

2:30pm – CHU HISA, a production of Kenpi Ryugakusei Alumni

3:10pm – OKINAWA’S BANJO AI accompanied by JIM ROCK

3:50pm – CHINAGU EISA HAWAII
Lisa Tamashiro, President

4:20pm – KACHASHI 101 (Let’s all learn to do the Kachashi)

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Get a ‘LooChoo Identity’ Sports Bag

Posted on August 14, 2014 by loochoo77

Loochoo Identity Sports BagSource: “‘LooChoo Identity’ Sports Bag Available.” Ukwanshin Kabudan, 5/22/14.

“The kanji characters going down reads ‘LooChoo nu Kwa’ (child/descendant of Ryukyu). In the highlighted area we have the words in English and Okinawan, ‘Protect Our Language, Protect Our Culture, Protect Our Land, Protect Our Life.’ …The bags are for a $7 donation or more each, and have free shipping within the US.” Click here for more information about the bag and ordering instructions.

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Okinawa Association of America (Gardena, CA): Aug-Oct 2014

Posted on August 14, 2014 by loochoo77

Okinawa Association of America (Gardena, CA): Aug-Oct 2014 Events

Mensore! Please join us at these upcoming events:

Monthly Activities
Volunteer Day • August 5 • 10:00 AM
 Karaoke Club • August 16 • 5:00 PM
Uchinaaguchi Class • August 22 (postponed from August 8) • 7:00 PM

Fujinbu (Women’s Club) Craft Class
Poodle Flower Arrangements
September 20 • 1:00 PM
OAA Center • Room 103
$10 for OAA members • $12 for non-members
(fee covers material costs)
RSVP REQUIRED • Deadline: 9/10)

Keiro Kansha no Hi (Senior Appreciation Day)
September 7 • By Invitation Only
More Information T.B.A.

Annual Bazaar
Okinawan Food, Entertainment, Games, Raffles
October 12 • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
OAA Center Parking Lot
More Information T.B.A.

 Click here for complete calendar of events

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Autumn Okinawa Dance Matsuri Sep. 20, 2014 on Oahu

Posted on August 14, 2014 by loochoo77
Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

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Okinawan Festival 2014 – Aug. 30-31 in Honolulu

Posted on August 14, 2014 by loochoo77

Update 8/17/14: Click here for the program.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

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Widget Archive

Posted on August 13, 2014 by loochoo77

Uchinanchu Taikai 2016

About the Taikai
Taikai 2016 Latest Information


Sponsored by Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Sep 5-6, 2015

WYUF 2015

Mark Your Calendar

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Obon Season in Okinawa

Posted on August 9, 2014 by loochoo77

A Japan Update article on 5 August 2014, “Flight Reservations for Okinawa Obon Season Surpass 520,000,” drives home the extent of the dispersion of Okinawans throughout mainland Japan. Obon is the season when Japanese return to their hometowns for family reunions to honor their ancestors. The half-a-million who return to Okinawa is equal to a third of the prefecture’s population of 1.4 million.

Other sources:

Benjamin Martin’s “Okinawan Obon (Kyubon)” (More Things Japanese, 8/29/12): “Every family is different, but from what I’ve been told, each family makes offerings at their family butsudan (small shrine inside a home) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner of each day of Kyubon.  The butsudan is decorated with offerings of fruit and sake, and other foods are placed before the shrine.”

“Obon Brings Ancestors Back to Okinawa Homes” (Japan Update, 8/19/13): “Obon is a time of celebration, and Okinawa’s second unique custom, Eisa, is performed in streets everywhere. Eisa is a traditional dance. Obon is a time of gift-giving, and a time for sharing. Children and grandchildren return from mainland Japan to Okinawa to pay homage to the ancestors. It’s a time for Ochugen, the presenting of gifts to relatives and bosses and colleagues in the workplace.”

Wikipedia: “Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. Hokkaidō is known for a folk-song known as ‘Soran Bushi.’ The song ‘Tokyo Ondo’ takes its namesake from the capital of Japan. ‘Gujo Odori’ in Gujō, Gifu prefecture is famous for all night dancing. ‘Gōshū Ondo’ is a folk song from Shiga prefecture. Residents of the Kansai area will recognize the famous ‘Kawachi ondo.’ Tokushima in Shikoku is very famous for its ‘Awa Odori,’ or ‘fool’s dance,’ and in the far south, one can hear the ‘Ohara Bushi’ of Kagoshima….The Bon dance performed in the Okinawa Islands is known as eisā. Similarly, the Yaeyama Islands have Angama.”

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Okinawans in the Philippines

Posted on August 8, 2014 by loochoo77

In the Mintal district of Davao in the Philippines, there’s a Japanese cemetary, and in the cemetary is the Monument of Okinawa. Every year, a memorial service is held at the monument, which was “built by the Okinawa prefectural government in 1970.” A little known fact, at least for me, is that, “before World War II, many Okinawans migrated to the Philippines to work at Manila cotton plantations. The number of Okinawan migrants was highest of all prefectures in Japan.” The cemetary is the final resting place for “10,700 deceased military personnel and their families,” including “Okinawan civilians.” For more on this subject, see “Davao Memorial Service for the War Dead” in the Ryukyu Shimpo, 7/22/14.

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Himeyuri: A Story of Angels in the Battle of Okinawa

Posted on August 3, 2014 by loochoo77

Updated 2/4/16

The Ryukyu Shimpo ran a story on 18 July 2014, “Himeyuri Peace Museum Marks Its 25th Anniversary,” and it was about the success of the museum in attracting visitors. Curious, I searched YouTube for a video that might tell me more about Himeyuri in the context of the Battle of Okinawa. I found the 31-minute animation, with English subtitles, below, [no longer available] which told the story more eloquently than any real-life documentary or written report ever could. The narrator is a young woman, and her voice, calm and objective, captures all the heartbreaking emotions of the young girls and women, ages 13-19, of the Himeyuri Academy, which comprised Okinawa Female Normal School and the Okinawa First Girls’ High School.

[Update 8/6/14: Unfortunately, the video with English subtitles is now private and no longer available on YouTube. However, a version with Spanish subtitles is still available. (See below.) Update 2/4/16: The Spanish subtitled version has been deleted. I won’t embed any more Himeyuri Angels videos because someone is monitoring this blog and having them removed. I know there are other versions of this video in YouTube, but I won’t mention them because doing so will lead to their removal. We have to assume that the policy of whoever owns the video is at odds with the goals of world peace. If the owner is the Himeyuri Peace Museum, then Haji wo shirinasai, はじをしりなさい (shame on you). We have to question their motivation for privatizing a video that has the potential to touch the hearts of the world.]

At the time, for the majority of students, schooling stopped after elementary. Entry to normal school and high school was quite rigorous; furthermore, few could afford the tuition. Thus, only a handful qualified, and these were considered the crème de la crème. As the war drew closer to Okinawa, the students and some of their teachers were activated, en masse, into the Japanese military as a nursing corps. Throughout the Battle of Okinawa, they served in caves, treating the wounded.

In the last days of the battle as U.S. troops attacked caves with explosives and flame throwers, the Japanese military, in a final act of humanitarianism, deactivated the students and teachers and ordered them to leave the caves and survive the best they could. For the wounded and soldiers remaining, death would be certain.

Outside the caves, they experienced the full fury of the battle, and many were injured or killed. When they could no longer run from the enemy, some chose group suicide. Those who surrendered were surprised to find that the U.S. soldiers were humane, giving them water, food, and medical care.

This video is the story of these young women, told in their voice, in all its innocence, pain, and simplicity. From start to finish, there’s not a moment of sentimentality, yet you won’t be able to keep  a dry eye. This is not a story to evoke pity. Nor is it a story of heroism or self-sacrifice. It’s a story of gentle young women who endured the horrors of war with quiet dignity and fathomless innocence. After the war, most of them became school teachers. Watch it. Your perception of the Okinawan people will be forever changed.

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Working List of Okinawan Surnames

Posted on July 27, 2014 by loochoo77

This post has been moved to “Surnames“:

A – J
K – R
S – Z

 

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Okinawan Bon Dance Video Lessons; Hiroshi’s ‘Classic Burger’; Yuugao Recipe; Yonabaru Tug-of-War

Posted on July 24, 2014 by loochoo77

Umushirikutu
umushirikutu02Hiroshi Uechi’s “Classic Burger” in the Uehara district of Ginowan: “He makes all buns, beef patty and smoked bacon by himself daily. The patty is made of the beef from Japanese black cattle and bacon is smoked with cherry wood chips. His original sauce is sweet and rich, and all vegetables absolutely fresh.”1

* * *

Kelly Gillotti’s “Cooking Local: Yuugao – Okinawan Bottle Gourd Curry” opens an exotic window into Okinawan cuisine. “Yuugao (ゆうがお),” says Gillotti, “is bottle gourd. Apparently, they make delightful liquid vessels once they’re dried. Since the yuugao is watery and mild, it’s perfect for summer. The bottle gourd was like a giant cucumber after peeling and deseeding.”2 Her photos alone can make you salivate.

* * *

Learn how to Bon Dance via videos.3 To help members prepare for their annual Okinawa-style bon odori, the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) has prepared some practice videos:

* * *

Yonabaru tug-of-war on Sunday, 27 July 2014, at 5pm. It’s

the culmination of the annual Yonabaru Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The Tug-of-War takes place after a parade starting at 5 p.m. The history of Yonabaru Tug-of-War goes back over 400 years to the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It’s original purpose was to pray for all diseases and harmful bugs disappear from the crops and result in a plentiful harvest. People also believed that the event protected them from strange illnesses and ensured the prosperity of descendants.4

* * *

Hawaii United Okinawa Association Okinawa Naha Matsuri Cultural Tour October 5-16, 2014. Click image to enlarge.

Hawaii United Okinawa Association Okinawa Naha Matsuri Cultural Tour October 5-16, 2014. Click image for more information.

__________

1 “One Man’s Long Road to His ‘American Dream,'” Japan Update, 6/23/14.
2 Okinawa Hai, 7/7/14.
3 “Practice Videos for the OAA’s Bon Dance,” OAAMensore, 6/17/13.
4 “Yonabaru Tug-of-War Has Its Roots in Ryukyu Kingdom,” Japan Update, 7/24/14.

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Proof That the Ryukyus Were an Independent Kingdom at the Time of Annexation

Posted on July 21, 2014 by loochoo77

Many writers assume that the Ryukyus were an independent kingdom in 1879 when it was forcibly annexed by Japan. Prior to annexation, or “Ryukyu Shobun,” they operated as an independent kingdom, entering into tributary relationships with the Ming and Qing dynasty as well as with Satsuma.

In an editorial on 12 July 20141, the Ryukyu Shimpo claims there is hard evidence that, at the time of the takeover, the kingdom was truly independent:

In 1854, a Treaty of Amity between the Ryukyu Kingdom and the United States was concluded, which was followed by the conclusion of a Treaty of Amity between the Ryukyu Kingdom and France in 1855, and Holland in 1859.

These treaties are proof that the kingdom was “an independent sovereign state” at the time of the takeover. A problem is that the Okinawans don’t have these documents in hand. Instead, the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has them. According to the Shimpo, the ministry “declined to comment on the documents for the reason that they do not know exactly how they got them.”

As a sovereign state, the Okinawans could argue that Japan’s annexation by force violated Article 51 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties: “The expression by a State of consent to be bound by a treaty which has been procured by the coercion of the representative of that State through acts or threats directed against him shall be without any legal effect.” That is, the annexation was illegal and, thus, void.

Independence or self-rule is a critical issue since it might be the solution to U.S. military bases in Okinawa. In other words, the decision to keep or remove them would no longer be in the hands of Japan and the U.S. Instead, the U.S. would need to deal directly with Okinawa. In that scenario, the bases would probably be drastically reduced or removed altogether.

__________
1 “Treaties Show That Japan’s Annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom Was an Unjustified Act,” editorial, Ryukyu Shimpo, 12 July 2014.

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In the Early-20th Century, Ryukyu Clothing Banned in Schools

Posted on July 19, 2014 by loochoo77

The following photos and quoted caption are from Valerie H. Barske’s “‘Dancing Through’ Historical Trauma: Okinawan Performance in Post-Imperial Japan” (Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific, Issue 24, June 2010).

RyukyuDress

"Early twentieth century photos of Okinawan school girls wearing Ryukyuan clothes [top] versus Japanese clothes [bottom], both photos were taken on the same day to show how the girls were required to change their dress in the early twentieth century. Source: Hokama Yoneko, Jidai o irodotta onnatachi: Kindai Okinawa joseishi, Naha: Niraisha, 1996, p. 210." -Barske

“Early twentieth century photos of Okinawan school girls wearing Ryukyuan clothes [top] versus Japanese clothes [bottom], both photos were taken on the same day to show how the girls were required to change their dress in the early twentieth century. Source: Hokama Yoneko, Jidai o irodotta onnatachi: Kindai Okinawa joseishi, Naha: Niraisha, 1996, p. 210.” –Barske

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USAF Sabre Crashed into Miyamori Elementary School in 1959

Posted on July 19, 2014 by loochoo77

On 30 June 1959, a United States Air Force F-100 Super Sabre crashed into Miyamori Elementary School and the adjoining neighborhood, “killing 11 students and six other people in the neighborhood and injuring 210 others, including 156 students…. The pilot, Captain John G. Schmitt, Jr. from Chalmers, Indiana, 34 years old, ejected and was unhurt.” Schmitt, who was “on a training or test flight from nearby Kadena Air Base[,] suffered an engine fire.” The school is “in the Uruma area of then … (U.S.)-occupied Okinawa” (Wikipedia 7/19/14).

The following three-part video was uploaded to YouTube by LunaticEclipse4 on 6 Dec. 2009.

忘れたい 忘れてほしくない～宮森小 米軍機墜落事故から50年～(1) – [I Don’t Want to Forget About the U.S. Aircraft That Crashed into Miyamori 50 Years Ago]


忘れたい 忘れてほしくない～宮森小 米軍機墜落事故から50年～(2)”>忘れたい 忘れてほしくない～宮森小 米軍機墜落事故から50年～(2)


忘れたい 忘れてほしくない～宮森小 米軍機墜落事故から50年～(3)

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Video – ‘Nike SB Presents Destination Okinawa’

Posted on July 1, 2014 by loochoo77


This video, described as “a Nike SB travelog starring Donovon Piscopo, Kevin Bradley, Maxime Geronzi, Denny Pham, Kyron Davis, Fran Molina and Kilian Zehnder,” was uploaded to YouTube by Nikeskateboarding on 30 June 2014. It was shot in Okinawa.

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