Exhibition for history of Okinawan overseas emigration held in Yokohama

Exhibition for history of Okinawan overseas emigration held in Yokohama

The people involved in Kawasaki branch of the Okinawa Association study the exhibits at Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama on March 1.


March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

An exhibition about Okinawan overseas emigration began at Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama on March 1. The display is showing until May 11. With 118 items, it tells the story of the Okinawan people who emigrated to South American countries and Hawaii and worked hard there while keeping their relationship with home.

This is the first time the museum has held an exhibition focusing on emigration from one of the Japanese prefectures.

The museum presents memorabilia and photographs such as the clearance certificates used by Okinawan emigrants to South American countries.
Arisa Yamagata curated the exhibition on the life of the emigrants. Her mother Elena is second generation Okinawan Brazilian.

Elena said, “My grandmother told me about the hardships of the emigration experience. I am glad to be able to tell the important history of the Okinawan emigrants to many people, including my daughter.”

Vice president of Kawasaki branch of the Okinawa Association, Seitoku Igei is originally from Kin Town.

He said, “The photographs of the town made me nostalgic.”

Yosuke Tamabayashi of the JICA Yokohama International Center said, “Okinawa holds Worldwide Uchinanchu festivals regularly. This is the first time for us to hold an exhibition on the history of Okinawan emigrants and their deep connection with home. We plan to hold the exhibition in Okinawa this June and want to attract many people.”

JICA plans to hold the exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum .

(English translation by T&CT)

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