Blog Entries for hdr

Hamahiga Island

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Hamahiga Island is a small landmass located off the Katsuren Peninsula on the eastern coast of Okinawa Honto. Roughly 2.5 square kilometers in area, Hamahiga�s small size belies its importance in Ryukyu mythology. The island�s name comes from the two communities on opposite sides of the small mass: Hama and Higa.

According to Okinawan lore, Hamahiga was the home of husband and wife Shinerikiyo and Amamikiyo (sometimes spelled Shirumichu and Amamichu), the god and goddess (respect [...]

Battle of Okinawa

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...Okinawa Maps
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Battle of Okinawa Images
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Kerama Islands

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The land skirmish of the Battle of Okinawa began on March 26, 1945 and lasted for about 87 days. The Americans first touched the shore of the Kerama Island, 24 kilometers west of Okinawa. Fierce fighting raged on Geruma, Aka, Zamami and Tokashiki Islands before the Kerama group was secured over the next five days. In these preliminary operations, the American 77th Infantry Division suffered 31 dead and 81 wounded, while Japanese dead and captured numbered over 650. Terrified and driven to des [...]

Naha City Arts and Crafts Museum

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Naha, located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, the Okinawa Island, is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. In the feudal period, Naha is the commercial and administration center of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and today it is the political, economical and educational center. Americans invasion during the Battle of Okinawa has more or less fused into the rich heritage Okinawa. During the years of US administration for 27 years, the people were in constant conta [...]

Enkaku-Ji Soumon and Houjyo-Bashi Bridge

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The Ryūkyū Kingdom saga began with the Tenson Dynasty (Dynasty of Heavenly Descent), which was said to have lasted 17,000 years, and ended with three kings of the Shunten lineage. Back in the 14th century, small islands around Okinawa were unified into three principalities known as Sanzan (Three Mountains or Three Kingdoms). Each of these kingdoms � Hokuzan (Northern Mountain), Chūzan (Central Mountain) and Nanzan (Shoutern Mountain) were led by tribal chieftains. Chūzan w [...]

Tomari Ohashi Bridge

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{mosimage}The Tomari high Bridge that runs a length of one-kilometer over the Tomari Harbor took twelve years to construct, from 1974 to April 1986, when it was opened for the public. This bridge forms part of the coast road from Naha Port to the Aja New Port and the amazing view needs to be seen to be believed. View of the East China Sea competes with the Kerama Island group in the far off distance.

The rust-red colored railings of the Naminoue Bridge sparkle in the south and a gli [...]

Katsuren

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{mosimage}Images from the quiet area of 0kinawa. The most traveled part of Katsuren is Katsuren .

Katsuren
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Yanbaru

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{mosimage}Between these mountains lay farmland that remains preserved far out of the eye of modern day 0kinawa. Beautiful vistas can be seen all throughout 0kinawa's northern Yanbaru.
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No part of this article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, withou [...]

Bise

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{mosimage}Bise is a small area in northern Okinawa best known for it's Fukugi trees that line sandy paths through a village that is hundreds of years old. These trees serve as protection from strong typhoon winds.

Travelers visiting Bise will find this area of Okinawa a quiet, undisturbed area of Okinawa that looks like you have just stepped off the boat on one of the outer islands.

Bise boasts crystal clear waters and a beautiful beachline that has a view of Ie Island in the distanc [...]

Manzamo

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Manza is an upheaved outcropping of fossilized coral that overlooks the East China Sea. Located in Onna Village, the cape is particularly known for a distinctive formation that resulted from wave erosion and that resembles an elephant's trunk.

One of Okinawa's most visited scenic locations, Manza-mo (which roughly translates to mean "carpet capable of seating 10,000") gained its unique name during a visit from King Sho Kei in 1726.

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The Village

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{mosimage}Rich with a cultural heritage that goes back 600 years this area of central 0kinawa offers a relaxing area that visitors to 0kinawa can enjoy the natural beauty and traditions that Yomitan village offers.

Ancient ruins in 37 places have been discovered in Yomitan, the oldest being the Toguchiagaribaru ruins which were discovered in 2-3 meters of water. Theruins are remnants of ancient Okinawan earthenware. Scientists speculate this could have been crafted approximately 6000 years a [...]

Okinawa News headlines November 28

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Google News Alert for: okinawa

"The" way vs "a" way (Japan v China dept)

Atlantic Online - USA

This is the recent scene: yesterday afternoon, Naha airport, Okinawa, Japan. Line crew gassing up a Cirrus SR22: Details to notice below: crew identically ...

Japan book row reopens old wounds

Aljazeera.net - Qatar

The issue is one of the country's most notorious wartime incidents: during the US invas [...]

Okinawa News headlines November 27

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News headlines for: okinawa

Eat your veggies, says study on Okinawa diet

Stars and Stripes - Washington,DC,USA

By Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes At least that's what Americans participating in an Okinawa longevity study have taken to heart firsthand. ...

Bryant man uncovers Japanese flag uncle obtained during WWII

Benton Courier - Benton,AR,USA

Wayne Downey of Bryant talks about the Japanese flag his unc [...]

Okinawa News headlines November 26

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November 26 News for: okinawa

Funds for development in Okinawa unfrozen

The Japan Times - Japan

Local governments in Okinawa have proposed that the runways be built further offshore to reduce the noise impact on nearby residential areas. ...

Guam urged to adopt Okinawa tourism model

Marianas Variety - Saipan,Northern Mariana Islands,Micronesia

By Gerardo R. Partido A HIGH-ranking official of a major [...]

Guam urged to adopt Okinawa tourism model

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By Gerardo R. Partido

Variety News Staff

A high-ranking official of a major luxury retailer on island has urged Guam leaders to learn from the experience of Okinawa, which managed to build a vibrant tourism industry despite hosting thousands of U.S. military personnel.
Jim Beighley, research and planning managing director of DFS and a board member of the Guam Visitors Bureau, said Guam officials should consult with Okinawa, which has years of experience in integrating t [...]

How to wear a Japanese Kimono

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The proper way to wear a yukata is not necessarily obvious. The left side of the yukata is wrapped over the right side, and an obi (belt) is used to keep the yukata from falling open when worn in public. In private, as after a bath, the yukata is usually simply belted. Also, a type of thonged wooden sandal called geta is usually worn with the yukata.

Amongst men, the most common use of yukata in public is when it is worn by sumo wrestlers. Junior ranked sumo wrestlers are expected t [...]

The History of Japanese Kanji

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Chinese characters came to Japan from China with Kanji articles on which they are written. Their early instances include a gold seal discovered in 1748, which was identified as the one given by the emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 57 CE. It is not clear when Japanese people started to command Classical Chinese by themselves.

At first documents were probably written by Chinese immigrants. For example, the diplomatic correspondence from King Bu of Wa to Emperor Shun of the Song D [...]

Kakemono

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Japanese hanging scroll or calligraphy mounted with brocade fabric edges on a flexible backing, so that it can be rolled for storage.

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Yukata

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Yukata are light summer kimono worn by both men and women. Yukata obi are frequently more colourful and may be made of a variety of fabrics. Some men's yukata obi are similar to or the same as kimono obi, while others feature decorative tassels or are made of very wide strips of cotton which are gathered at the ends and are tied loosely around the waist and secured with a bow at the back.

Women often tie yukata obi in various decorative knots, most popularly a large bow. People wearin [...]

Sports Day in Japan

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Though not unique to Okinawa, September in Japan is the peak season for the annual Undokai (one day of sporting events held locally at elementary schools and kindergartens). Pupils work hard for this day when parents, relatives and community residents gather and see their enthusiastic sports act.

In Okinawa, student performance Eisa dance out of cultural respect to their heritage. Students must go through audition to win large drums. Then their rehearsal begins everyday for 2 weeks [...]