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Memorial statue commemorating the landing of John Manjiro unveiled at Odo Beach in Itoman

Memorial statue commemorating the landing of John Manjiro unveiled at Odo Beach in Itoman

 

February 20, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Itoman – A statue commemorating the landing of John Manjiro on Odo Beach in Itoman, Okinawa, aptly named the, “John Manjiro Landing Memorial,” was unveiled at a ceremony hosted by Itoman City February 18. The day marked the anniversary of his return to Okinawa, and around 220 people gathered to celebrate the completion of the statue.

 

Tatsuo Wada, 70, born in Kochi Prefecture but currently living in Itoman...

 

Praying for health and longevity, the New Year’s first water is offered in traditional ceremony at Shuri Castle

Praying for health and longevity, the New Year’s first water is offered in traditional ceremony at Shuri Castle

 

December 24, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

 

The traditional Okinawan ceremony, known as the, “Nubi offering ceremony,” where the year’s first water drawn from Hedo in Kunigami is presented as an offering, was held in the afternoon of December 24...

Asian elephants staying in Okinawa through the winter at zoo

Asian elephants staying in Okinawa through the winter at zoo

 

December 15, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Two Asian elelphants, Buntoon and Tonsai, were debuted on December 14 at the Okinawa Zoo & Museum. The two elephants are visiting Okinawa from the Tohoku Safari Park to stay through the winter.

 

The elephants...

Potential World Heritage Site Iriomote faces the risk of increased pollution and ecosystem destruction as more and more trash washes ashore

Potential World Heritage Site Iriomote faces the risk of increased pollution and ecosystem destruction as more and more trash washes ashore

 

October 15, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Chie Tome

 

Many years of large amounts of trash washing in from the ocean and accumulating in the mangrove swamps of Iriomote Island in Taketomi, a potential World Heritage Site, was having a clear effect on the mangrove and...

What to do with Okinawa’s aging shopping arcade, Heiwadori

What to do with Okinawa’s aging shopping arcade, Heiwadori

October 3, 2017 by Ryukyu Shimpo

An air of nostalgia permeates the Heiwadori shopping arcade in Naha.

The symbol of the area’s shopping district, for years the covered promenade has protected shoppers and the stores they patron from the hot summer sun and the sudden squalls particular...

Praying for prosperity in Yona, Kunigami, Unjami solemnly welcomes the gods

Praying for prosperity in Yona, Kunigami, Unjami solemnly welcomes the gods

 

September 24, 2017 by Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Kunigami – The Unjami festival, one of Japan’s Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, was held in Yona, Kunigami (Tadanobu Miyagi, Mayor), where there were prayers for bountiful harvest and good health. The...

The tradition of “Shinugu” in Ada drives away evil spirits and prays for bountiful harvests

The tradition of “Shinugu” in Ada drives away evil spirits and prays for bountiful harvests

August 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

 

 

Kunigami – The traditional ritual “Shinugu,” which has been performed in Ada, Kunigami for over 400 years continuously, and was selected as a nationally recognized significant intangible cultural asset, was performed...

Yoshimatsu Higa continues traditional cultivation and production of Ryukyu Dye into its 3rd generation

Yoshimatsu Higa continues traditional cultivation and production of Ryukyu Dye into its 3rd generation

 

August 17, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

By Hiroshi Uema

 

Motobu – Ryukyu-ai (Ryukyu indigo) is a plant that has been cultivated in Okinawa as the base material for unbeatable indigo dyes since ancient times.

The Higa Ryukyu-ai Factory (Yoshimatsu...

Symbol of burials in Yonashiroteruma, Uruma dismantled as cremation takes its place

Symbol of burials in Yonashiroteruma, Uruma dismantled as cremation takes its place

July 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

Uruma – The demolition of a ganya, a structure used to store a gan prior to a burial, took place in Yonashiroteruma, Uruma on June 24. A gan is a portable shrine used to carry the coffin. In Okinawa, cremation has long since replaced burial as the norm, and as...

Two local protestors rushed to hospital while riot police clear Camp Schwab gate

Two local protestors rushed to hospital while riot police clear Camp Schwab gate

June 2, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of June 2, riot police removed protestors from Camp Schwab’s gate to allow the entrance of construction vehicles for the Futenma Air Station replacement facility in Henoko, Nago. As riot police removed protestors, one man and one woman were injured...

Kumejima’s Kumesen’s new awamori “Karate” to go on sale next month

Kumejima’s Kumesen’s new awamori “Karate” to go on sale next month

May 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

The awamori brewery Kumejima’s Kumesen (CEO: Masaya Shimabukuro) announced the release of their new Ryukyu Awamori “Karate,” at the Okinawa Karate Hall in Tomigusuku on May 26. The label has the kanji for “Karate,” and is decorated with things such as a...