Archive for November, 2019

Recent News

University of Tokyo faculty gathering photographs to create a 3D digital recreation of Shuri Castle to serve as “tourist attraction until the castle is rebuilt”

University of Tokyo faculty gathering photographs to create a 3D digital recreation of Shuri Castle to serve as “tourist attraction until the castle is rebuilt”

November 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Image processing and virtual reality experts are teaming up to form the “OUR Shurijo – Shuri Castle Digital Reconstruction” project, which aims to create a digital reconstruction of the recently burned down Shuri Castle.

The project will collect pictures and videos of the castle from different viewpoints, and create a digital 3D model of the castle using digital modeling technology.

The members of the project are asking for submissions...

 

Fujian students perform Chinese fusion eisa on Kokusai Street

Fujian students perform Chinese fusion eisa on Kokusai Street

November 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

A student club of the Concord University College Fujian Normal University, the “Sanmo Eisa Club” (eisa is a traditional Okinawan dance) performed at the Mutsumi-bashi intersection on Kokusai Street in Naha City on November 10, in collaboration with various...

A history lesson on the Shuri Castle reconstruction debate—Tokyo, or the prefecture?

A history lesson on the Shuri Castle reconstruction debate—Tokyo, or the prefecture?

November 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Mariko Nakamura

Nov. 7—It’s been one week since Shuri Castle’s seiden, or the main hall, was destroyed in a fire. A full investigation of the prefecture’s management will come, meanwhile, mapping out a path to reviving the castle is proving...

Ryukyu red tile craftsmen appeal to prefectural government to preserve burned red tiles

Ryukyu red tile craftsmen appeal to prefectural government to preserve burned red tiles

November 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 5 the Prefectural Ryukyu Red Tile Plaster Craftsmanship Cooperative, which is made up of craftsmen of Okinawan traditional red roof tile, submitted a written appeal to Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki requesting that burned red tiles from Shuri Castle...

Sixty-four rare turtles, including the endangered Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle, stolen from Okinawa Zoo & Museum

Sixty-four rare turtles, including the endangered Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle, stolen from Okinawa Zoo & Museum

November 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa – It was discovered November 5 that the Okinawa Zoo & Museum (Okihiro Kamizato, zoo director) was unable to locate 15 of nationally designated natural monument and endangered Ryukyu black-breasted turtle as well as 49 Chinese box turtles that were...

Six Dojos come together to perform Karate demonstration praying for the Shuri Castle reconstruction and to give courage to the region

Six Dojos come together to perform Karate demonstration praying for the Shuri Castle reconstruction and to give courage to the region

November 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Six dojos in Shuri, Naha gathered November 3 at the Sakiyama Park in Sakiyama, Shuri, where around seventy participants performed kata in a votive martial arts demonstration praying for the reconstruction of the recently burned down Shuri Castle.

The castle...

Shuri Castle fire: Crowdfunding campaign raises millions

Shuri Castle fire: Crowdfunding campaign raises millions

November 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Following the Shuri Castle fire, the city of Naha set up a bilingual crowdfunding webpage—the Furusato Choice, which piggybacks on the nation-wide Hometown Tax Donation Program system.

The campaign has already collected over 200 million yen as of November...

Korean woman travels through Japan giving free hugs

Korean woman travels through Japan giving free hugs

November 5, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

“The Japanese people I saw in the media and actual Japanese people are different,” says Su-yeon Yoon, who came to Japan as an exchange student and also worked at a hotel in Okinawa.

Yoon has been engaged in a free-hug campaign travelling through all...

Looking back on Shuri Castle, world heritage site: 450 years of Okinawan politics and culture

Looking back on Shuri Castle, world heritage site: 450 years of Okinawan politics and culture

October 31, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shuri Castle was the principal castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and played a central role in Ryukyuan politics and culture for about 450 years, between 1429 and 1879.

According to Shurijo Castle Park’s official website, the grounds are largely divided into...

Editorial: Okinawans should join together in rebuilding Shuri Castle

November 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shuri Castle has burned down.

This treasure in the hearts of Okinawans which was rebuilt after its destruction in the Battle of Okinawa by the efforts of a large number of people committed to restoring the symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom destroyed in the...

Governor Tamaki states intent to restore Shuri Castle as soon as possible after disastrous fire

Governor Tamaki states intent to restore Shuri Castle as soon as possible after disastrous fire

October 31, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

In response to the Shuri Castle fire, the Okinawa prefectural government held a task force meeting on October 31 at the Prefectural Office.

Governor Denny Tamaki read out a message for the Okinawan people and made known his strong determination...