Okinawan Language

Hello, everyone! Long time no see, how’ve you been?

Here in Okinawa, cherry blossoms are blooming...’ Kanhi Sakura’, which is bright pink and similar to plum blossoms, is the main type of the cherry trees in Okinawa. It’s very beautiful! Enjoy it, too!

 
  Well, have you ever heard or spoken Okinawan local language? It is called ‘Uchinaaguchi’ in Okinawan dialect. Today I'll introduce some phrases of them to you. 

   

'Hello'  'Hi'

*’Haisai’ (for men's usage)   *‘Haitai’ (for women's usage)

'Thank you'

*‘Nife de biru’

"Itadaki masu"(*we say this phrase before eating to show our gratitude to the meal and the person who cooked and served.)

*’Kwacchi sabira’

"Gochiso samadeshita"(*we again show the gratitude after the meal)

*’Kwacchi sabitan’

'It’s delicious'.

*’Ma sai bin’

‘Please’(*used when you want someone to do something)

*’Unige sabira’

'How are you?'

*’Ganju desuka’

'Good luck!' 'Do your best!'

*’Chibariyo’

                                    

 
The speakers of original Okinawan language are decreasing. I have some friends who can speak it, but sometimes I can't understand what they say in the language...I think I need to study it.

When you come to stay in Okinawa, why don't you try speaking the local languge?

 

Enjoy Okinawa!!

Shizuka,                                                           

San and Mabuigumi : a traditional grass amulet and unique remedy to ward off the evil and bad lucks

A very much belated Happy New Year...! 2012 has arrived all around the world, so what’s your New Year’s resolution for the special year?  There’s this rumour that the year 2012 is the apocalypse of the world according to Mayan Prophecy. This reminds me of the Nostradamus hysteria in 1999 that the world is doomed and destined to end, according to some interpretations of his Prophecies. Well, believe the bit-scary tale or not, don’t you worry. Okinawa has various protections against the evil spirits, such as Muchi (please go to the previous article about Okinawan traditional rice cake) and Shisa (a lion-dog guardian figurine, usually in pairs) for starters. Here I’ll introduce you to another tip from our evil-proof line-up and a unique custom handed down today on the island.

San, a knotted Japanese silver grass, is a tool believed to ward off the evil and bad fortune since ancient times. The main use of this special grass knot is to be put up at the gate/entrance/door of the house, guarding the family inside from misfortune and bad spirits. You can spot it in local areas on the island.

Some people put a tiny san on food and dish to fend off hungry stray spirits, on the way they bring the share to their relatives and friends. In that case, various materials can make the little amulets.

a white ribbon san on the food from my aunt

a tiny grass san on Somen noodles from my neighbour

Another use of san is seen at mabuigumi. Mabuigumi is one of Okinawa’s spiritual folk remedies, and the word mabui means ‘soul’, gumi  ‘to put into’ in Okinawan language. As the name could indicate a psychotherapeutic act, this folk remedy is practiced to put your ‘missing soul’ back into the body when you have an accident, no matter how serious or trivial it was. Okinawan locals have long described the mind state of being shocked and blank by accidents as ‘mabui otoshita’(dropped the soul). To get the missing soul back into its owner’s body, a person (usually mother or grandmother of the soul-lost) who does the therapy pats the owner’s body swith the grass several times . The proper procedure requires quite a lot of preparation, so Okinawan people have made it simple for quick use whenever they think they have to retrieve the missing spirit. The instant method can vary from region to region, household to household.  

The instant version of Mabuigumi would be done mostly when you fall over, since your soul could be thought to pop out of the body by the bang. Usually it includes some simple spells in the local language and most Okinawans have experienced the remedy, especially in their childhood (easily guessed; children fall over, which is their character trait).

When you have a chance to come staying with the local people, you might come across the mabuigumi occasion. There are lovely amulets and accessories with san motif at gift shops in Okinawa, good for a small gift for your family and friends back home to spend the year free of bad lucks…!

nariko

Golf in Okinawa

Hi, this is Shizuka. How’ve you been? It’s cold these days, isn’t it? Please stay warm.

Do you play golf? I started it about 3 years ago. It’s very interesting!

Today, I recommend enjoying the resort golf in Okinawa.

Okinawa’s climate is perfect for golf through the year. 

 Okinawa has lots of beautiful resort courses, too.

(You may meet some ducks.)

Among them, my favorite golf course is ‘Kise Country Club’, which is located in Nago city, the northern part of the Okinawa’s main island.

Ten years have elapsed since the course was built.　

It is in the woods of ‘Yanbaru’(The name for the northern part).

‘Yanbaru’ is regarded as the island’s center for eco-tourism because there stretches the wild forest.

While you play golf in the ‘Kise Country Club’, you can see the beautiful ocean, too. You can enjoy not only the forests but also the ocean there. How nice! Of course I really enjoy the sport there.

‘Kise Country Club’ offers a 18-hole course, and hosts the All Japan Golf Tournament. The lawn they use is the best one for subtropical climate, and is used in Hawaii, too. 

Sometimes the professional golfers who play in the world visit to get the feel of the lawn.

(A Lobby of the Clubhouse)

Its clubhouse offers meals and drinks made from Okinawan local foods and fruits.

I recommend ‘Goya & Pineapple Juice’. It is a fresh juice made from Goya (Okinawan bitter vegetable, looks like a cucumber) and pineapple.

You can also drink Awamori(Okinawan spirit) at the clubhouse. I expect you will enjoy the nineteenth hole, too.

  

 I often visit and play golf with my friends there , so why don’t we meet there?

Have a wonderful day!!

       Shizuka.

Kudaka Island

Hi,everyone. How are you doing? We English team bloggers are all fine! 

Well, have you ever been to ‘Kudaka Island’? It’s located in Nanjo city, southern part of the Okinawa’s main island. Kudaka isaland is a small island but very important place for people of Okinawa.

 The legend has been handed down that the god Amamikiyo descended to Kudaka island and started to establish a nation of Ryukyu.

Chuzan Seikan, Okinawan history record says the god of heaven ordered Amamikiyo to establish a new country. So, Kudaka Island has been called 'Island of gods'. 

There are 7 sacred spots in Okinawa, and Kudaka Island is one of them.  

You can find out  some more different legends.It's very interesting.  

Even now the rituals are performed, and some of them are off limits to the public.

When you visit sacred sites, please remember not to move anything, for example stone or pebble, from that place. 

This is the road to the sea.

You can rent a bike and go everywhere you want. 

When the weather is nice, it'll feel good and very very happy.

 I recommend you to rent one!



To Kudaka Island, get on a high speed boat or a ferry from Azama port .

It takes about 15 - 20 min.

Please enjoy the Okinawan outer island!!

Shizuka.

Cherry Blossom Festival



Hello, everyone! Long time no see.  Did you enjoy your New Year holidays?

Well, mine was little busy, but I spent the quality time. I visited a shrine on New Year's Day, and drew omikuji(sacred lots),too. It says this year will be great for me and also for everyone around me!

Today I introduce ‘Cherry Blossom Festival’ in Okinawa.

 There are several festivals in the main island Okinawa. Most of the  festivals are held in the northern part of Okinawa, from  late January to early February.

The northern part of the Okinawa's main island is also the first region in Japan where people can enjoy viewing the yearly cherry blossoms.

In the mainland Japan, we can see white cherry blossoms. They look like snow falling when falling down. Very beautiful!

But 'Kanhi sakura', which is the main type of the cherry trees in Okinawa, is different. Its color is bright pink and similar to plum blossoms.

(Picture above)



Festival  sites & date      Northern area:     *Nakijin gusuku Sakura Matsuri (Nakijin  Castle Cherry Blossom Festival)*     January 21st － February 5th    At Nakijin Castle Ruins in Nakijin village               *Motobu Yaedake SakuraHanami matsuri (Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Viewing)*          January 21st － February 5th         At Yaedake in Motobu town (The actual festival, which includes entertainment and local food for sale. )   *Nago Sakura matsuri (Nago Cherry Blossom Festival)*       January 28th & 29th       At Nangusuku(Nago Castle) in Nago city (This is the biggest event of the year in Nago city. The festival includes parades, traditional music, dance performances, food booths, and much more.)    Southern area: *Naha Sakura matsuri (Naha Cherry Blossom Festival)*   February 8th －12th   In Naha city  I expect that you will enjoy the Okinawan winter season with the beautiful flowers with your family or friends!

      Shizuka.

 

Festival  sites & date

     Northern area:   

 *Nakijin gusuku Sakura Matsuri (Nakijin  Castle Cherry Blossom Festival)*

    January 21^st － February 5^th

   At Nakijin Castle Ruins in Nakijin village

      

       *Motobu Yaedake SakuraHanami matsuri (Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Viewing)*

         January 21^st － February 5^th

        At Yaedake in Motobu town

(The actual festival, which includes entertainment and local food for sale. ) 

 *Nago Sakura matsuri (Nago Cherry Blossom Festival)*

      January 28th & 29th 

     At Nangusuku(Nago Castle) in Nago city

(This is the biggest event of the year in Nago city. The festival includes parades, traditional music, dance performances, food booths, and much more.)

  

Southern area:

*Naha Sakura matsuri (Naha Cherry Blossom Festival)*

  February 8^th －12^th

  In Naha city 

I expect that you will enjoy the Okinawan winter season with the beautiful flowers with your family or friends!

  

Muchi: Traditional Okinawan Rice Cake

Hi everyone, this is Megumi.

How’s your Christmas day? I hope all of you had a wonderful time.

As for me, I had a great Christmas night with my family and friends, with great dishes; roast chicken, sushi and a Christmas cake. My older brother, who is working at a supermarket, brings home a lot of Christmas cakes every year. He is like a Santa clause for us.

Finally, 2012 is coming soon!!! Also it’s getting cold these days, please take care and eat some hot foods not to catch a cold.

Here in Okinawa, it is the custom to eat ‘Muchi’ on December 8^th in the old calendar.

 (In 2012, New Year’s Day is the day!!!!) Have you ever heard of ‘Muchi’??

‘Muchi’ is a traditional Okinawan rice cake, which is wrapped with Alpinia Zerumbet named Gettou in Japanese.

                                           This picture is Gettou leaves

It is commonly believed that we can have a good luck and keep our good health by eating Muchi.

We have the same pronunciation for evil and medicines, both are said ‘yaku’ in Japanese. Tradition says that “if we can ward off yaku (evil or sickness), we don’t need to take yaku (medicines),” which means Muchi has a power that can turn away misfortunes!!!!!

The family, especially who have small children, hang the same number of Muchi as their children’s age from the ceiling, praying for the healthy growth of them. Okinawa's coldest season is coming soon, and we call it “Muchi bisa” (bisa means the cold in the local language); since we eat Muchi this time of year, Muchi lets us know the arrival of the winter season.

                                                   Muchi

 We have a variety of flavors of Muchi, such as pumpkin, beniimo (purple sweet potato) and black sugar etc. It is loved by the young and the old, and the taste is flavorsome and appealing. You can feel the smell of Gettou leaves. And you can get these Muchi at almost every supermarket in Okinawa this time of year.

If you try Muchi, I’m sure that you will like it and wouldn’t stop eating.

Please enjoy your time with the traditional local food in Okinawa.

We’re going to take the New Year’s vacations for a few days.

So we’ll meet all of you next yearJ

May the New Year brings you happiness!!!!!!!!!! See you soon.

Megumi

Solemn New Year's Countdown - Mabuni, Fire and Peace bell Ceremony

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

This May, I had an opportunity to visit the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park in which the Cornerstone of Peace has been established in order to inscribe all the war victims' names.  It is located on Mabuni, Itoman city which is known as the southern battle field of the battle of Okinawa (World War Ⅱ).

In the park, there is a museum called the Peace Memorial Museum, which gives a sobering overview of the lead up to the battle, the battle itself and the reconstruction of Okinawa after the war.

First, I walked through the museum to see the exhibition and took time to read the articles on the war. There are a variety of exhibitions which made me think about the Okinawan war history and my grandparents who experienced the war. The articles on the Okinawan emigrants to South Sea Islands remind me of my grandfather and his family who moved to Saipan during the war period in Okinawa.

One thing that I was impressed and loved about this museum is its structure, which leads visitors to a beautiful ocean view at the end of their exhibition.

When I reached the exit of the museum, the beautiful ocean view was appearing in front of me. On sunny days, it is amazing.

In this peace symbolic park, there is a solemn event hold at the end of each year. 

The ceremony called “Mabuni, Fire and Peace bell Ceremony” and will be held at the Peace Memorial Hall on site from New Year’s Eve (12/31) through New Year’s Day (1/1) 10:00 p.m.- 1:00 a.m.



The Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall located in the park. 



Every person who takes part in the ceremony will put up a torch for requiem of the war victims and pray for peace while listening to a peace bell rings.

If you are interested in the New Year’s countdown in a peaceful atmosphere, please check the Fire and Peace bell Ceremony at Mabuni, Itoman city.

Takako