Tree Project – A message about biodiversity through art

Posted on May 9, 2012 by oceanpears

Last year in early November, environmental artists Tim Collins and Reiko Goto were invited to the Ryukyu University to run a workshop on how art can visually express the importance of biodiversity.
Traditionally, Okinawans have worshiped nature. Holy grounds known as utaki are usually in forests and by rivers, sometimes an entire island. Approximately 400 to 500 utakis exist in Okinawa, including the upstream of Sembara pond behind the Ryukyu University’s Northern Cafeteria.
Workshop participants saw the Kyuyo bridge across Sembara pond as a gateway to the biodiveristy of Okinawa and creatively conveyed this message with a performance art using leaves.

source:http://www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/top_news/hot/student24_2012033002/

http://eden3.net/residencies/okinawa/index.html

Cherry Blossoms in Okinawa

Posted on April 24, 2012 by oceanpears

Hanami (literary meaning “flower viewing”) is one of the most popular Japanese traditional customs practiced, starting when cherry blossoms bloom in March or April. People come together to sit under the cherry blossoms trees, have picnics, and get a little buzzed. It’s one of my favorite times of the year in Japan, but in Okinawa, hanami starts in January/February since the cherry blossoms bloom earlier. These photos were provided in courtesy of a relative, so please do not steal them, but I hope you enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Kin-Cho(金城町), the Taco Rice Town

Posted on April 11, 2012 by oceanpears

Kin-cho Town has delcared itself as the official “Taco Rice Town.”

Taco rice, symbolic of Okinawa’s champuru culture, was created in 1984 at Parlor Senri, just outside of Camp Hansen. Popular among American Marines and locals, taco rice became part of Okiawan cuisine. In November 2010, Kincho received the Guinness World Records for making the world’s largest taco rice, weighing 746kg.

http://www.kin.cc/downloadkinfiles/tacorice.pdf

unmei no hito

Posted on March 18, 2012 by oceanpears

The drama, based on Toyoko Yamazaki’s novel, illustrates the fate of journalist Ryota Yuminari as he unfolds the truth behind the revision of Okinawa. For more information, visit Tokyo Broadcasting System Television’s official website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/eng/nowshowing/index.html

In the last episode (which aired on 3/18/2012 in Japan), 80% of the film location was in Okinawa. Some of the locations include: Mae Misaki in Onnason, Nuchishinujigama, Park Avenue/B.C. Street, Kakazu Takadai Kouen, etc.

Made in Okinawa

Posted on March 7, 2012 by oceanpears

I have been browsing to find out about the Okinawan fashion scene lately, and I came across this website:

madeinokinawa.com

They are a group of creators, not limited to fashion but music and art as well, that embrace traditional techniques, originality, and the stories behind the locally made items. madeinokinawa also collaborates with creators from around the world (namely Europe and Asia… and it seems they’ve also got an atelier in France, which is cool!)

you can window shop online through the webshop, and I find this bingata one-piece dress very attractive…! http://madeinokinawa.shop-pro.jp/?pid=23855509

Toufuyou

Posted on February 5, 2012 by oceanpears

For those with daring taste buds, toufuyou is a must-eat cuisine only loyal families ate during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Fermented with jiuqu, moascus purpureus, and awamori, toufuyou is a reddish tofu delicacy, rich like urchin meat (meaning it’s creamy and thick). If you’ve ever tried Chinese fermented bean curd, you have an idea of what it might taste like.

http://benihamashop.jp/toufuyou/(in Japanese)

Okinawa International Asia Music Festival 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012 by oceanpears

March 16th (Fri), 17th (Sat), 18th (Sun) 2012. Includes live concerts and conference about music and social media. Participating musicians include: Diamantes, Chitose Hajime, Misako Koja, Hidekatsu, Wei Wei Wuu, Marty Friedman, and [how lovely], Ryujin Mabuyer.

For more information, go to the official website (in English): http://musix-okinawa.com/2012/en/

Sketches of Myahk

Posted on January 25, 2012 by oceanpears

Directed by Koichi Onishi, “Sketches of Myahk” is a documentary film about traditionally inherited chants in praise of God and sacred songs of Miyakojima vanishing in the time. The film received Special Mention by Semaine de la Critique of Locarno International Film Festival 2011.

To learn more about the film, go to this link: http://www.kubotamakoto.com/som.pdf

Makoto Kubota, musican and the film’s supervisor, released the album “Sketches of Myahk” under the Blue Asia project to complement the film. Continue reading →

World CM Festival

Posted on January 23, 2012 by oceanpears

World CM (Commercial) Festival will take place in Okinawa from January 28th to February 3rd in Okinawa. French producer J.C. Bouvier first started this event in 1999, and it is considered to be the Japanese version of La Nuit des Publivores.

http://www.cmfestival.com/index.html

Unfinished magatama discovered in ruins of Goeku Castle