Comments on: The Okinawa digital archive

The Okinawa digital archive

jeffmshaw — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 12:53:03 -0800

The Okinawa digital archive is a collection of images, video and narrative about the rich culture, history and ecology of the Ryukyu Islands. There's so much more to karate's birthplace than the famous, landscape-dominating military bases -- from music and dance to castles to a language and identity distinct from mainland Japan. Be sure to check out the picture gallery, searchable and sorted by region. [MI]

By: jeffmshaw

jeffmshaw — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 12:54:59 -0800

If Wonder Okinawa's flash interface is strange or off-putting, try the text site. For scholarly or reference information, try The Ryukyuanist or Okinawa Jiten (encyclopedia). Oh yes: there are Okinawa bloggers, too.

By: norm

norm — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:18:52 -0800

Make sure you enjoy it while you can, because it seems that Okinawa is the subject of a joint US-Japanese plot to take every inch of the Ryukyus for military bases. The proposed Marines base offshore, which happens to be in one of the last remaining dugong habitats in the world, appears to be the latest on the to-do list. But I guess you knew about that.

By: Seth

Seth — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:57:59 -0800

Jeff, this is a good post. Thank you. I found the first site to be difficult to navigate, so I will have to check it out more later. But from the other links, I learned about this neat place. The pictures really are appealing. Make me wish I had a vacation planned soon. Thanks.

By: Seth

Seth — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:59:56 -0800

If Wonder Okinawa's flash interface is strange or off-putting, try the text site posted by jeffmshaw at 2:54 PM CST on November 23 Heh. Should have read the more inside before I commented on the post.

By: ronin21

ronin21 — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 17:07:33 -0800

Thanks for this one, Jeff; Okinawa is one of my favorite places in the world; many more people should get involved in trying to save its perishing beauty from the military, the developers and the NIMBY neglect of Japan.

By: alteredcarbon

alteredcarbon — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:17:28 -0800

I have fond memories there, growing up as a kid. My folks were stationed there for about 3 years at Kadena Air Base. They were DoDDs teachers and I was a brat, well a civilian brat, I guess. As opposed to military brats. Many military dependents resided there for up to 4 years if my memory serves me. It's been awhile. I'm talking early 1970-1972.