Final day of the Makishi Public Market in photos

Final day of the Makishi Public Market in photos


Jun 17 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The dilapidated Makishi Public Market in Naha City is getting a facelift—Jun 16 was its last day of business before renovating. The market was lively until the very end. The shops, patrons, and nearby residents were all tearful, but positive. The market is an integral part of their life memories, and they promised to “see each other at the temporary market on July 1.” Here we look back on the final day of the market in photographs. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

At Uehara Fruiterer, owner Nobuyoshi Uehara prepares for the day around 7 a.m. on Jun 16. He arrives at the Makishi Public Market in Naha City every day at 5 a.m.

　The market’s last day started rather quietly. Sometime before 7 a.m., Uehara Fruiterer owner, Nobuyoshi Uehara, 86, is the first shopkeeper to start setting up. He lined up his merchandise as usual. When Taiwanese tourists passed by, Uehara said in Taiwanese, “three apples for 500 yen.” He laughed out loud and said, “I’ve never been to Taiwan, but I learned it [from doing business].” Endearingly referred to as “Okinawa’s kitchen,” the market has been a prominent tourist destination since the 1990’s.

Visitors taking commemorative photos. On this day, many people at the market had cameras in their hands.

Typically, the market’s visitors are mostly tourists, but many locals and media reporters dropped in on its last day. At one point, the aisles were so crowded there was hardly any room to move.

The market started to come alive as other shops began opening for business. An 83-year-old woman selling pickles, drew hibiscus flowers on her merchandise. She moved to Naha City from her hometown of Motobu in 1955. In the beginning, she sold brown sugar candy and ice cream cake on the streets. She said, “I had to give my baby ice cream cake when my breast milk wouldn’t come in.” She opened her pickle shop at the public market in her late twenties. Her business survived through the 1960s and 1970s, in which issues of relocation arouse and a fire occurred. She said her seniors “instilled ‘grit’ in me. I pray for them today.” She plans on working at the temporary market with her grandchild, and said, “I want to see how the new market will turn out before I retire.”

A former customer re-visiting her old favorite store.

Visitors stopping by to greet the shopkeepers.

The crowd singing along with Okinawan band BEGIN’s vocalist, Masaru Shimabukuro, performing the hit song “Shimanchu nu Takara.”

　At 2:30 p.m. a concert took place on the second floor of the market to commemorate the last day. Singer Yu Shimabukuro, who said the elderly shopkeepers of the market gives him energy, performed “Shimanchu nu Takara” (Okinawan Treasure) and said to the crowd, “Our true treasure is our Oji and Oba”—Okinawan terms of endearment for “grandpa” and “grandma”, respectively.

Many customers enjoying their drinks at the market cafeteria.

Sawami Uehara, manager of Dotonbori, dancing along to the live music

　Junko Ohama, 76, will be retiring her gift shop Ohama Mingei, with the old market. Ohama had very few words to offer, as she looked around at the empty shop and said, “I will miss it. I’ll get to relax; the younger generation can take over the new market.”

Yuko Onaga is retiring with this renovation. The entire family helped close the store, and is presenting her with a bouquet of flowers. Onaga says “it was a good life, thanks to the shop.”

The shops located on the first floor of the Makishi Public Market closing around 5:30 p.m., after the eat-in service ended at 4 p.m.

The market closing after 6 p.m. on its last day. Intercom announcements instruct reluctant customers to exit the market.

City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma visiting each shop, after the customers have left.

　The after-hours relocation ceremony held in front of the market was brimming with local patrons and residents. The shopkeepers and the city’s mayor Mikiko Shiroma vowed deeply to the crowd, showing gratitude for their patronship over the years. The crowd whistled and shouted their thanks as the entrance was shuttered for the last time.

Employees of the market and the city thanking the crowd together during the relocation ceremony.

The crowd taking pictures of the Makishi Public Market closing its shutters in Matsuo, Naha City at 7:25 p.m.

Eisa performers dancing the kachashi with the crowd for the finale.

　Okinawa International University’s eisa club, the Ryukyu Fusha, put on a performance, to which the crowd joined in and danced the kachashi. The eisa performers raised their flags high towards the market’s symbolic arched roof. The shopkeepers of the machigwa, or market, bowed deeply to the building after the ceremony. 　
Yukiko Abe, a Naha City resident who has been a patron of the market for over 20 years, said: “The market offers the best medicine—food and smiling faces. The merchandise might change, but I hope the heart of the market remains unchanged.”

Natsu Teruya gives flowers and tearful hugs to her long-time “next store neighbors”, specifically owners of the stores across from, and next to hers. Many shopkeepers who decided to retire their businesses received flowers while the crowd danced the kachashi.

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

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