Monthly Archives: May 2006

Ryukyuan Dance

Jump to… (within this article) Introduction The four genres of Ryukyuan Dance The origin of the "crown ship dances" Classical dance The birth of zo odori (popular dance) Dance costumes and accoutrements The music of Okinawa Conclusion Kajadifu Bushi  "Kiyu … Continue reading

Posted in Performing Arts | Comments Off on Ryukyuan Dance

Performing Arts

  the island of songs and dances   An Introduction to Ryukyuan Dance Okinawa Folk Arts:  Eisa

Posted in Performing Arts | Comments Off on Performing Arts

Proverbs

wisdom OKINAWAN PROVERBS Excerpted from  The Okinawan Mind in Proverbs Zenko Shimabukuro   Ataishi turu atairu.  – We get along well with those we can get along with well. Achinee ya tankaa mankaa. – Business is a two-way street. Aramun … Continue reading

Posted in Proverbs | Comments Off on Proverbs

Glossary

Okinawa Glossary Glossary of Terms: ***** A, B, C ***** Andagi (Also known as Sata Andagi.) Okinawan donut. Andagi is probably the most well-known Okinawan snack. Go to Anma’s Kitchen for a recipe and photo of this delicious snack! Asadoya … Continue reading

Posted in Glossary | Comments Off on Glossary

Language

uchinaguchi the language of Okinawa   the history of uchina guchi (Excerpt taken from Etsuko Higa’s Master of Arts thesis, Okinawan Classical Music: Analysis of Vocal Performance, University of Hawaii, 1976.) The language of Okinawa belongs to the Japanese-Ryukyuan language … Continue reading

Posted in Language | Comments Off on Language

Chronology

Okinawan History A Chronological Table PRIMEVAL   Old Stone Age   Shell Mound Age 605 The Chinese Emperor Yo (Sui Dynasty) sends Shu-Kan to the Ryukyus 608 From about this time, the "Southern Island" people pay tribute to the Japanese … Continue reading

Posted in Chronology | Comments Off on Chronology

Birth of Star Sand

folktales  of the birth of star sand Excerpted from Folktales of Okinawa Bank of the Ryukyus International Foundation Naha Okinawa Japan A long time ago, among the twelve signs of the zodiac were the Polar Star and the Southern Cross, … Continue reading

Posted in Folktales | Comments Off on Birth of Star Sand

Folktales

folktales  of Excerpted from  Folktales of Okinawa Bank of the Ryukyus International Foundation Naha Okinawa Japan English Translation by Terunobu Tamamori and Jayne A. Hitchcock Illustrations by Fumio Amuro   selected folktales: the birth of star sand kajimaya

Posted in Folktales | Comments Off on Folktales

Okinawa is ichiban!

okinawa is ichiban! Some Interesting Tidbits that Make Okinawa Unique (from Okinawa Magazine, published by the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau) the jewel in the pacific: OKINAWA, THE TROPICAL TRAVEL DESTINATION Okinawa is ichiban!  The … Continue reading

Posted in Okinawa is ichiban! | Comments Off on Okinawa is ichiban!

Okinawa Travel Summary

Tourism is Okinawa’s largest industry. Okinawa prefecture is host to nearly 5.5 million visitors a year who spend nearly 6 billion US dollars annually.Okinawa is the primary resort vacation destination for Japanese travelers. Tourists can enjoy an ancient culture with … Continue reading

Posted in Resources, Travel | Comments Off on Okinawa Travel Summary