Okinawa The Jewel In The Pacific By Dennis Anderson

History the jewel in the pacific Okinawa used to be an independent kingdom In the 11th century, castles began sprouting all over Okinawa Relationship with China greatly accelerated Ryukyu's cultural and political development. The last dynasty was replaced in Okinawa with governors appointed from Tokyo until 1945.

The battle for Okinawa, which began when American troops invaded the island group on April 1, 1945, has been called the bloodiest of World War II. Pressured to fight for the Japanese and caught between two warring sides, Okinawans suffered massive casualties. Estimates vary, but upwards of 100,000 people, somewhere between one- quarter and one-third of Okinawa's civilian population, perished as a result.

History During the 27 year American interlude from 1945 to 1972, Okinawa was under the U.S. military government.

History Although the US Military occupation of Japan ended in 1952, six years after Japan's surrender, Okinawa was the exception and didn't revert to Japan until May 15, 1972, 27 years after the end of World War II. Until then, US currency was used in Okinawa. To this day the US maintains a large military presence in Okinawa.

Language

Language The language of Okinawa belongs to the Japanese-Ryukyuan language family which extends from Hokkaido in northern Japan to Yonaguni (73 km. off the coat of Taiwan) in the southern Ryukyus. Although Hattori Shiro, one of the leading linguists of Japan estimates that the time of separation of the Shuri (Okinawa) and Kyoto (Japan) dialects was sometime between the beginning of the sixth century and the middle of the twelfth century, the Ryukyuan language is identified as an independent language due to its remote relationships in morphological, phonological, and lexical aspects. The language of Okinawa belongs to the Japanese-Ryukyuan language family which extends from Hokkaido in northern Japan to Yonaguni (73 km. off the coat of Taiwan) in the southern Ryukyus. Although Hattori Shiro, one of the leading linguists of Japan estimates that the time of separation of the Shuri (Okinawa) and Kyoto (Japan) dialects was sometime between the beginning of the sixth century and the middle of the twelfth century, the Ryukyuan language is identified as an independent language due to its remote relationships in morphological, phonological, and lexical aspects.

Language Within the Ryukyuan language (extending from Amami Oshima to Yonaguni), the Okinawan language itself is comprised of many diffferent dialects and sub-dialects from village to village. The Shuri dialect was standardized under the Ryukyuan kingdom central administration estiablished by King Sho Shin ( ). It was the official language used in conversation by the aristocratic class of Shuri castle. Most Okinawan songs and poems were composed in the Shuri dialect. Within the Ryukyuan language (extending from Amami Oshima to Yonaguni), the Okinawan language itself is comprised of many diffferent dialects and sub-dialects from village to village. The Shuri dialect was standardized under the Ryukyuan kingdom central administration estiablished by King Sho Shin ( ). It was the official language used in conversation by the aristocratic class of Shuri castle. Most Okinawan songs and poems were composed in the Shuri dialect.

Culture The sea has exerted a constant influence on the life and culture of Okinawa. One might cite the concept of Nirai-Kanai, which plays an important part in native Okinawan religious belief and is conceived as an idealized realm over the seas, as the abode of the gods. People have traditionally believed that happiness and prosperity assured by a plentiful harvest are brought from Nirai-Kanai.

Culture The spirit of prayer is expressed in stylized gesture, while prayer itself becomes manifest in song, thereby opening the way to development of the performing arts. To the backdrop of the islands' history, song and dance have continued down to the present day to serve as vehicles for expression of the thoughts and emotions of the Okinawan people.

Food The cookery of the Shuri court of Okinawa was heavily influenced by both China and Japan – China, especially, from the beginning of the 15th century and Japan from the 17th century, when Ryukyu came under the domain of feudal Japan. Court cookery of course, is not everyday food. Around the port city of Naha, center of international trade, people developed their own dishes based on the ingredients available in this island nation. The cookery of the Shuri court of Okinawa was heavily influenced by both China and Japan – China, especially, from the beginning of the 15th century and Japan from the 17th century, when Ryukyu came under the domain of feudal Japan. Court cookery of course, is not everyday food. Around the port city of Naha, center of international trade, people developed their own dishes based on the ingredients available in this island nation.

Yummy Looks Good To Eat Looks Good To Eat

Sunset Okinawan Sunset

The Shore Rocky

The Shore

Temples

Castles

Karate

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