Category Archives: Research

The culture of Okinawa and the Ryukyus is different from that of mainland Japan. A long history as an independent kingdom, the influence of ancient China and more recently decades of American military presence have created a unique culture.

Two great web sites for Okinawa information are Ryukyu culture archives and Okinawa Prefecture’s education pages

Kama Chinen oldest woman

Posted on March 21, 2010 by artbobo

According to http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/index/Oldest_Swiss_dies_at_112.html?cid=8299820 Kama Chinen from Okinawa, Japan, is believed to be the oldest person alive today. She will turn 115 on May 10, 2010. KAMA CHINEN, aged 114 years and 125 days old, born on May 10, 1895 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Longevity | Comments Off on Kama Chinen oldest woman

Okinawa Textile video

Posted on March 21, 2010 by artbobo

Nicely done video introduction to Ryukyuan textiles.

Posted in Textiles | Comments Off on Okinawa Textile video

ryukyutextile.com

Posted on March 21, 2010 by artbobo

I love Ryukyuan textiles. Amami Oshima tsumugi, Bashoufu, orimono from Kume-jima are the best. This looks like a lovely simple site about Ryukyuan textiles. http://ryukyutextile.com/ "The islands in Okinawa area have very rich textile culture. There are numerous methods to … Continue reading →

Posted in Textiles | Comments Off on ryukyutextile.com

oki yo! Blog

Posted on February 21, 2010 by artbobo

http://okiyo.wordpress.com/ Two cousins embark on a mission to research the music and culture of the motherland: Okinawa Island, Japan. One a recent high-school graduate in search of like-minded Okinawan indie rockers, one a not-so-recent college graduate in search of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on oki yo! Blog

Planet Oki

Posted on June 21, 2009 by artbobo

I received this from Michael Monroy and Astro: wassup yall this is the planet oki homepage. we a movement, we are going to take over the internet world. give okinawa that recognition, where we grew up at. have oki artist … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Planet Oki

Summer in the Ryukyus

Posted on June 20, 2008 by admin

This is a poem I composed to express the feeling of summer days in Okinawa.  Drops of sweat glisten in the sun, Trickling down flushed-out cheeks. Like rain-wash in a stony crag, Moisture flows and humidity peaks. The stickiness of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Comments Off on Summer in the Ryukyus

Typhoon Season

Posted on June 6, 2008 by admin

Since June is the start of Typhoon Season in Okinawa. I thought this poem would be appropriate. I composed this one while sitting through a typhoon in my studio apartment in Okinawa 2003. The wind rips the Rock like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Comments Off on Typhoon Season

Cave of the Virgins

Posted on May 5, 2008 by admin

This is a poem about a sacred place in southern Okinawa called "Himeyuri No To" (Cave of the Virgins). My poem details what happened there and explains why it is a sacred place. A memorium of mourning after the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Comments Off on Cave of the Virgins

Classical Okinawa Dance Videos

Posted on April 15, 2008 by artbobo

Videos of the joint performance of classical Okinawan dance with Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai and Kariyushi Kai. http://www.veoh.com/channels/2004Kariyushikai

Posted in Performing Arts | Comments Off on Classical Okinawa Dance Videos

Takejiro Higa

Posted on April 9, 2008 by artbobo

I happened across the story of Takejiro Higa on the University of Hawaii web site. He was born in Hawaii of Okinawan ancestry, moved to Okinawa at 2 years of age and returned to Hawaii at 16. He witnessed the … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Takejiro Higa