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November 21, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa Shogaku High School won the 44th Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament with a 3-1 upset victory over Nihonbunri High School in the final in Tokyo on November 20. Okinawa Shogaku represented the Kyushu area and Nihonbunri (Niigata Prefecture) the Hokushinetsu area. Okinawa Shogaku was the first high school team from Okinawa to win the Meiji Jingu Baseball crown. They allowed Nihonbunri to get out to an 8-0 lead, including five home runs, which is the most recorded in one game by the Nihonbunri team. But in the 7th innings Okinawa Shogaku scored three runs, and then turned the tables by getting another six in the following innings by batting around.
Asia University (Tohto University Baseball League) won the All-Japan University Baseball Championship Series in the Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament for the first time in seven years and posted a fourth career victory in the 2-1 victory over Meiji University (Tokyo’s Six Major Universities League). Asia University won by usinging two pitchers in the game. Hiroaki Minei, who graduated from Okinawa Shogaku, contributed to the victory scoring the two runs by one run-scoring hit and a solo home run.
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
Osamu Sunagawa with a timely two run-scoring right front hit by Shuto Kubo in the eighth innings with bases loaded and two out at the Meiji Jingu Stadium on November 20. (Photograph taken by Takaya Kinra)
Shuto Kubo makes the game-winning hit in the eighth innings with the bases loaded and two out.
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November 19, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
The kariyushi shirt market remains strong. According to the Okinawa Clothing Sewing and Manufacturing Industrial Association, the shipping volume of these shirts from January to October totaled 398,413 items, which breaks the record of 385,965 set in 2012. Shipping volume in 2013 is expected to exceed 400,000 items for the first time.
The kariyushi shirt market in Okinawa has become saturated because of their increased use in various workplaces, but expanding the market outside the prefecture has been a success.
According to the association, the shipping volume was more than 300,000 items in 2004, but that declined in 2007, and decreased to about 268,000 in 2009. However, it recovered to over 300,000 and hit a record high in 2012.
Sewing company Nishin Shokai saw its production of kariyushi shirts increase by 20 percent over the previous period. The company continues its sales of the shirts in Okinawa, but has also succeeded in selling the product to companies outside the prefecture, such as department stores and banks. It plans to increase production for fiscal 2014 from July by 20 percent.
Big companies in Japan used the shirts for Cool Biz summer outfit this year, with the extreme heat contributing to the increased demand for the shirts. Manufacturers have also improved sewing techniques and met demand for a range of designs, which led to the increase in the shipping volume.
The president of Nishin Shokai, Hideyuki Oshiro, said, “I think that our company has worked on various projects such as creating long-sleeved shirts and a range of designs, and this has helped to boost production.” He continued, “We need to continue expanding markets outside Okinawa next season.”
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 22, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
A representative of the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum announced on November 21 that the oldest piece of Okinawan earthenware discovered to date has been found in the Sakitari Cave in Nanjo City. Carbon dating has identified it as a piece with the Oshibiki pattern from about 8,000 years ago, making it from the Initial Jomon Period. This is the first time that researchers have found earthenware with the Oshibiki pattern in Okinawa. People involved commented that the discovery could reveal prehistoric life in Okinawa.
Previously, the oldest earthenware found in Okinawa was that featuring the Mu and Natotsumegata patterns, which date back 6,000 to 7,000 years. This latest discovery has confirmed the use of earthenware in Okinawa 1,000 years earlier again.
Sakitari Cave
Researchers are now digging in the layer under where they found the earthenware, so it is possible that they could find even older pieces.
According to the museum, the researchers unearthed the earthenware under the layer where they found an item dating back 5,000 years. They found about 200 pieces making up the body of a piece of earthenware. The museum was able to restore the pieces into the form of a pot about 30 centimeters long. It has the Oshibiki pattern, which is created by pushing with spatula-like tools with both a soft and strong touch.
The researchers established the age from two snail shells found at the same layer. Different institutions analyzed them and decided that the earthenware dates back 8,000 years.
Excavation in the Sakitari Cave, which began in 2009, found human remains and stone artifacts dating back about 12,000 years.
In the neighboring town of Yaese, researchers unearthed remains of the Minatogawa people, prehistoric people of Okinawa dating back about 18,000 years. Since that discovery, they had not found any evidence of prehistoric life such as human remains and tools. This latest finding has attracted interest because it could reveal aspects of prehistoric life in Okinawa, about which there is little information. The museum will make the items available for viewing on November 24.
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 14, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
Travel agency H.I.S. plans to charter direct flights between Naha and the cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East for six months from mid-May 2014. The first program charter between Russia and Okinawa, it will involve four flights a week, one return flight between each city. H.I.S. will charter Aeroflot Russian Airlines’ 150-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The flight time will be about four hours one way between Russia and Okinawa.
A representative of the Okinawa branch of H.I.S. said, “We want to promote Okinawa to Russian tourists as a warm resort area with beautiful seas.” H.I.S. aims to attract 5,000 visitors in six months.
(English translation by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato and Mark Ealey)
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November 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
Sadao Tome, 72, was elected as the next executive director of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California (Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai) by its board in October. The association is the unified body for the 40 kenjinkai (prefectural associations) from Japan’s total of 47 prefectures. The Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, which is the largest non-profit organization run by Japanese people in California, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding next year.
The new executive that Tome will lead will start from February next year. The association is a large organization in which about 100 current and former chairpersons are involved as directors. There have been three former executive directors of the association from Okinawa including the late Shoichi Tamae, Yasukazu Takushi and Chogi Higa.
Originally from Motobu Town, Tome moved to the United States in 1970. He studied at California State University after graduating from Glendale College.
Tome served as the president of the Okinawa Association of America in 2005 and 2006. He became a member of the executive board of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California in 2005, and has assumed key positions such as executive, accounting and special accounts. He has contributed articles on the activities of Okinawan people in the United States to the Ryukyu Shimpo since 1999. In 2009, he published a book entitled, “Living in America” and became a member of the Japan Essayist Club in 2008.
Tome said, “I am determined to play a significant role in the development of the association. It is a great honor for me to assume this role. I want to provide leadership as a facilitator, maintaining physical strength, economic strength and good overall judgment.”
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 13, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 13 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center, the theatrical group Unai held their first performance in Hawaii. While Ryukyuan performing arts are popular in Hawaii, performances of Okinawan theater are rare. In the audience questionnaire, 152 out of 170 respondents wrote that the performance satisfied them. On October 25, the group held a workshop at the University of Hawaii.
The Unai support group suggested the performance to the United Hawaii Okinawa Association at the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival in 2011. The 23 performers and staff were able to travel to Hawaii thanks to a grant from the Japan Foundation.
On October 27, they performed dances such as Bashofu created by Yoshiko Hazama and lyric drama such as Nachijin nuru dunchi created by Shosei Uema. The performance of Bashofu brought a nostalgic air over the audience.
At the workshop, in addition to the dance and comic drama performances, Shoko Yonaha, who is a PhD candidate at the University of the Ryukyus, and Professor Masae Suzuki of Kyoto Sangyo University, introduced the history of Unai and fantasy drama.
Because they were unable to bring the large items for the stage set, the association created them, using used potted plants for trees. Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai Hawaii Chapter helped make the subtitles and the Ryusei Honryu Ryuko Kai lent some small stage props. After the costs in Hawaii were covered, the group presented the remaining proceeds to the association.
The group leader, Ritsuko Nakasone, said, “We received a standing ovation for the first time. The success of the show was just fantastic. I am very grateful for those who have supported us. We would like to come back to perform again.”
(English translation by T&CT, Megumi Chibana and Mark Ealey)
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November 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
The 24th Chubu Time Prediction Race was held at the Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park in Okinawa City on November 17.
About 3,800 people from among 4,232 applicants took part in the four categories of 20, 10, 5 and 3 kilometer races, with 3,756 people finishing. About 98 percent of the participants completed the distance they had registered for.
In the 20 kilometer race, a prize was awarded to one person for matching their predicted time.
The race accommodated athletes trying to improve personal best times, families with young children and the elderly. Wheelchair runners also participated at their own pace.
Volunteers who supplied water and local residents standing along the roadside cheered the runners along, adding excitement to the event.
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the All Japan Abstinence Federation was held at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan on November 17.
About 2,150 members of the federation and their family from 44 prefectural and city governments took part. Four members from the branches talked about their experiences of breaking free of alcohol addiction, explaining how they managed to stop drinking and keep their marriages going thanks to the support of other members.
Looking back on the 50-year history of the federation, during the ceremony the members declared that they would continue to encourage abstinence and support those suffering from alcohol abuse.
In closing the ceremony, the participants held hands as they reaffirmed their decision to give up alcohol.
A woman in her 40s represented the federation by talking about her experience of recovering from alcohol addiction. She began drinking in her late teenage years and by her 20s was drinking every day. This increased each year, until she eventually had a divorce because of ongoing arguments. She went on to lose her job, and even behaved violently towards her daughter.
When she was diagnosed as an alcoholic, she became depressed and decided to commit suicide, but a phone call from the member of the federation gave her hope. Since then, she has taken part in an alcohol addiction support group, giving up drinking and regaining her will to live. She said, “You can be honest and talk freely in the support group where friends accept you. I am now happy that I can live normal life.” She continued while wiping away tears, “I will continue to work on my recovery from alcohol addiction without forgetting how grateful I am to those supporting me.”
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 14, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
The third Koza A-lunch Competition was held on November 9 and 10 at the Okinawa Zoo & Museum in Okinawa City. Many food fans enjoyed lunch served from at eleven stalls set up for the competition. Sandwich Sharp (Kitanakagusuku Village) won the A Grand Prix with “American A-lunch”. A-lunch has been popular for many years in restaurants and cafeterias in Okinawa. The Okinawa City Restaurant Business Association and other groups have held the event to help vitalize the local community, making use of the A-lunch concept, which is unique to the food culture of Okinawa.
American A-lunch by Sandwich Sharp won the Grand Prix.
Nobu Machida, the manager of Sandwich Sharp, said, “I competed on volume by making the most of what spare ribs offer. The customers’ reactions were good, so this went really well for us.”
The other winners are as follows: Second place (B Grand Prix) is the Japanese style pub ARIGATO, third place (C Grand Prix) Bistro Maru, Okinawa City Mayor’s Prize Beer Restaurant KENNY’S, Okinawa City Council Chairman’s Prize Supaisu Oukoku and Okinawa City Superintendent Award, Kaizoku Kobo.
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 13, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Naha City-based Okinawa Tourist Service has issued an English version of the booklet entitled “Muslim friendly Okinawa.” On November 12, Yoshikazu Higashi, the president of the Okinawa Tourist Service, and Yoshiyuki Uehara, the chairman of the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) introduced the booklet at the Okinawa Prefectural Government.
The booklet has 32 pages and is A4 size. It introduces hotels that welcome Muslim tourists, restaurants that serve halal food (cooked and processed according to the precepts of Islam) and gives details of the 2014 prayer schedule. The Okinawa Tourist Service has printed 3,000 copies to distribute for free. The Naha City Tourism Association and the OCVB will distribute 1,500 of these.
Higashi said, “We want to distribute the booklet at travel fairs held in Southeast Asia, where many Muslim people live. We make use of it as a promotional tool for Okinawa tourism.” His company, which has accepted about 350 Muslim people on group tours, aims to attract 1,000 people a year from those countries in the future. Uehara stressed, “Our priority has been to try to attract tourists from China and Taiwan, but in the future, we want to attract tourists from countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, where many Muslim people live.”
(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)
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November 15, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo
A group of Okinawan traditional performing artists sent overseas as part of the prefecture’s Performing Arts Promotion Project, finished their three-performance tour of France and Germany. The project aims to attract overseas tourists to Okinawa by introducing Okinawan traditional arts abroad. On the final day, November 13, the group held a kumi-odori performance entitled Hanaui no yen at the Japanese Cultural Institute in Cologne, Germany. The performance showed the charm of Okinawa to the locals in the audience.
Seiken Majikina, the chairman of the Traditional Kumi-odori Preservation Organization who performed at the events, said, “Despite the lack of subtitles, the audience in Cologne was sophisticated, watching the play intently. Holding kumi-odori performances abroad will help promote recognition of Okinawan culture and tourism.”
A representative of one of the local tourist agencies said, “It was refreshing to see various scenes with such simple stage setting and minimal use of props.” Another commented, “After visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, travelers might enjoy going to Okinawa to enjoy these islands with such a rich culture.”
(English translation by T&CT, Lima Tokumori and Mark Ealey)
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