Ryukyuans
Encyclopedia
The are the indigenous peoples
of the Ryukyu Islands
between the islands of Kyūshū
and Taiwan
. The generally recognized subgroups of Ryukyuans are Amamians, Okinawans, Miyako
ans, Yaeyamans
, and Yonaguni
ans. Geographically, they live in either Okinawa Prefecture
or Kagoshima Prefecture
. Their languages, such as Uchinaaguchi
, make up the Ryukyuan language family
, one of the two branches of the Japonic language family
, the other one being Japanese and its dialects.
during the 6th-7th centuries (the Sui Dynasty
). Exact details of these early voyages are still unknown, and it is widely believed that the ancient Ryukyus described by the Chinese consisted of the modern day Ryukyuan Islands and Taiwan. The Ryukyu Islands were inhabited early in historical times, by migrants believed to have crossed into the northern Amami-Uchiha Islands via Kyushu. Multiple waves of migrants, including those related to the Jomon, and, later, newcomers from Kyushu, continued to populate these islands. Similarities between the Ryukyuan
and Japanese language
s suggests a common origin in the language of immigrants from continental Asia to the archipelago.
Many Chinese moved to Ryukyu to serve the government or to engage in business during this period. The Chinese, during the Ming dynasty
, sent from Fujian
36 Chinese families at the request of the Ryukyuan King to manage oceanic dealings in the kingdom in 1392 during the Hongwu Emperor
's reign. Many Ryukuan officials were descended from these Chinese immigrants, being born in China or having Chinese grandfathers. They assisted in the Ryukyuans in advancing their techonology and diplomatic relations.
of Kyūshū
. The Satsuma domain kept the kingdom nominally alive because of the benefit from trade with China
, although the Amami Archipelago
came under the full control of Satsuma. During the Meiji period
, the kingdom was formally abolished and Okinawa prefecture
was established.
After World War II
, the Ryukyus, like the rest of Japan, were occupied by the U.S.
, but the U.S. maintained control of Okinawa even after the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco
, which went into effect on April 28, 1952. Many soldiers stationed in the Ryukyu islands during World War II
took aboriginal brides with them once the war ended. Twenty years later, in 1972, the Ryukyus were returned to Japan. Perceived discrimination
against Ryukyuans by mainland Japanese is the cause of some resentment. Furthermore, due in part to the intense fighting in the islands during World War II
, many Ryukyuans are strongly anti-military. Okinawa comprises just 0.6% of Japan's total land mass, yet U.S. military bases use about 10% of all the land in the Ryukyus, including 18.8% of the land on Okinawa Island itself. Many feel that they bear more than their fair share of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, and the presence of the military remains an issue in local politics.
awareness is very strong. Traditionally, Uchinanchus have a very tightly-knit family life and enjoy close personal friendships, which contributes to dietary factors that make Uchinanchu among the longest-lived people in the world. Uchinanchu tend to see themselves as bound together by their home island and, especially among older Uchinanchu, will always consider themselves from Uchinaa first and Japan second.
Okinawan food is rich in vitamin
s and minerals and is a good balance of protein
, fat
s, and carbohydrate
s. Although rice
is a staple food
, pork
, seaweed
, rich miso
(fermented soybean
) pastes, and black sugar all feature prominently in native cuisine. Most famous to tourists is the bitter melon
, gōya, which is often mixed into a rice dish called gōya champurū. The taste of goya can best be described as an acquired taste by some, but others will describe its unique flavor as one that is approximated by no other vegetable
.
Native Uchinaa religion
places strong emphasis upon the role of the women in the community, with women holding positions as shamans and guardians of the home and hearth. Shisa
statues can often be seen on or in front of houses—this relates to the ancient Uchinaa belief that the male spirit is the spirit of the outside and the female spirit is the spirit of the inside. To prevent the negative interaction or conquering of the inside spirit by the outside, the male spirits will go into the shi-shi statues while the man is inside and enter him again when he leaves. Most Uchinanchu of the younger generations are not serious adherents to this religion anymore, but many older Uchinanchu try to teach about the old ways, including dances and the language.
(matched pair of large and small swords) in the tokonoma
(living room alcove), but Uchinanchu always had a sanshin
(a sort of Asian guitar or lute) in their tokonoma.
During the occupation by Japan in the mid-15th–16th centuries, the Uchinanchu were completely disarmed of all bladed weapons by the Japanese (who feared revolt). The techniques of self-defense
and using farm tools as weapons against armed opponents—called "Karate
" by today's martial artists—was created totally by Uchinanchu who probably incorporated some gong fu and native techniques from China into a complete system of attack and defense known simply as Te (literally meaning "hand(s)," but with a strong connotation of "manoeuvre(s)"). These martial arts varied slightly from town to town, and were named for their towns of origin, examples being Naha-te (currently known as Goju-Ryu), Tomari-te and Shuri-te.
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
of the Ryukyu Islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
between the islands of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. The generally recognized subgroups of Ryukyuans are Amamians, Okinawans, Miyako
Miyako
-Places in Japan:*Miyako, Iwate, a city in Iwate Prefecture*The Miyako Islands, including Miyako Island itself**Miyakojima, Okinawa, a city of the Miyako Islands**Miyako language, the Ryukyuan dialect spoken on Miyako Island and other nearby islands...
ans, Yaeyamans
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.The isles are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands and contains Japan's most southern and most western inhabited islands.The islands form the southern part of the volcanic Nansei Islands...
, and Yonaguni
Yonaguni
is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan and lies from the east coast of Taiwan, between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper....
ans. Geographically, they live in either Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
or Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
. Their languages, such as Uchinaaguchi
Okinawan language
Central Okinawan, or simply Okinawan , is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni, and a number of smaller peripheral islands...
, make up the Ryukyuan language family
Ryukyuan languages
The Ryukyuan languages are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands, and make up a subgroup of the Japonic, itself controversially a subgroup of Altaic....
, one of the two branches of the Japonic language family
Japonic languages
Japonic languages is a term which identifies and characterises the Japanese which is spoken on the main islands of Japan and the Ryukyuan languages spoken in the Ryukyu Islands. This widely accepted linguistics term was coined by Leon Serafim....
, the other one being Japanese and its dialects.
Early history
Chinese historical writings first mentioned the RyukyusRyukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
during the 6th-7th centuries (the Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
). Exact details of these early voyages are still unknown, and it is widely believed that the ancient Ryukyus described by the Chinese consisted of the modern day Ryukyuan Islands and Taiwan. The Ryukyu Islands were inhabited early in historical times, by migrants believed to have crossed into the northern Amami-Uchiha Islands via Kyushu. Multiple waves of migrants, including those related to the Jomon, and, later, newcomers from Kyushu, continued to populate these islands. Similarities between the Ryukyuan
Ryukyuan languages
The Ryukyuan languages are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands, and make up a subgroup of the Japonic, itself controversially a subgroup of Altaic....
and Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
s suggests a common origin in the language of immigrants from continental Asia to the archipelago.
Many Chinese moved to Ryukyu to serve the government or to engage in business during this period. The Chinese, during the Ming dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, sent from Fujian
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
36 Chinese families at the request of the Ryukyuan King to manage oceanic dealings in the kingdom in 1392 during the Hongwu Emperor
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor , known variably by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming , was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China...
's reign. Many Ryukuan officials were descended from these Chinese immigrants, being born in China or having Chinese grandfathers. They assisted in the Ryukyuans in advancing their techonology and diplomatic relations.
Modern history
In the early 17th century, the Ryukyuan Kingdom was conquered by the Satsuma-hanSatsuma han
The Satsuma domain was one of the most powerful feudal domains in Tokugawa Japan, and played a major role in the Meiji Restoration and in the government of the Meiji period which followed...
of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. The Satsuma domain kept the kingdom nominally alive because of the benefit from trade with China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, although the Amami Archipelago
Amami Oshima
is a semi-tropical island in the Amami Islands, which is part of the larger Nansei Islands in Japan. Ōshima literally means big island, and it is the largest of the Amami Islands. It lies roughly halfway between the islands of Okinawa and Kyūshū. Briefly part of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, in 1624 it was...
came under the full control of Satsuma. During the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, the kingdom was formally abolished and Okinawa prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
was established.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Ryukyus, like the rest of Japan, were occupied by the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but the U.S. maintained control of Okinawa even after the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco
Treaty of San Francisco
The Treaty of Peace with Japan , between Japan and part of the Allied Powers, was officially signed by 48 nations on September 8, 1951, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California...
, which went into effect on April 28, 1952. Many soldiers stationed in the Ryukyu islands during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
took aboriginal brides with them once the war ended. Twenty years later, in 1972, the Ryukyus were returned to Japan. Perceived discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
against Ryukyuans by mainland Japanese is the cause of some resentment. Furthermore, due in part to the intense fighting in the islands during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, many Ryukyuans are strongly anti-military. Okinawa comprises just 0.6% of Japan's total land mass, yet U.S. military bases use about 10% of all the land in the Ryukyus, including 18.8% of the land on Okinawa Island itself. Many feel that they bear more than their fair share of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, and the presence of the military remains an issue in local politics.
Cuisine
The Ryukyuan people's marine environmental protectionMarine Environmental Protection
Marine environmental protection is one of the eleven missions of the United States Coast Guard.Officially, there are five areas of emphasis in the marine environmental protection mission...
awareness is very strong. Traditionally, Uchinanchus have a very tightly-knit family life and enjoy close personal friendships, which contributes to dietary factors that make Uchinanchu among the longest-lived people in the world. Uchinanchu tend to see themselves as bound together by their home island and, especially among older Uchinanchu, will always consider themselves from Uchinaa first and Japan second.
Okinawan food is rich in vitamin
Vitamin
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. In other words, an organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on...
s and minerals and is a good balance of protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
, fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
s, and carbohydrate
Carbohydrate
A carbohydrate is an organic compound with the empirical formula ; that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 . However, there are exceptions to this. One common example would be deoxyribose, a component of DNA, which has the empirical...
s. Although rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
is a staple food
Staple food
A staple food is one that is eaten regularly and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a diet, and that supplies a high proportion of energy and nutrient needs. Most people live on a diet based on one or more staples...
, pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
, seaweed
Seaweed
Seaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
, rich miso
Miso
is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley and/or soybeans, with salt and the fungus , the most typical miso being made with soy. The result is a thick paste used for sauces and spreads, pickling vegetables or meats, and mixing with dashi soup stock to serve as miso...
(fermented soybean
Soybean
The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses...
) pastes, and black sugar all feature prominently in native cuisine. Most famous to tourists is the bitter melon
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia, called bitter melon or bitter gourd in English, is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruits...
, gōya, which is often mixed into a rice dish called gōya champurū. The taste of goya can best be described as an acquired taste by some, but others will describe its unique flavor as one that is approximated by no other vegetable
Vegetable
The noun vegetable usually means an edible plant or part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed. This typically means the leaf, stem, or root of a plant....
.
Religion
Ijun
is a Shinto-derived religion founded by Takayasu Ryūsen in Okinawa. This modern religion started in 1972 and in 1980 became registered under the Religious Corporations Law...
places strong emphasis upon the role of the women in the community, with women holding positions as shamans and guardians of the home and hearth. Shisa
Shisa
Shisa is a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from some evils...
statues can often be seen on or in front of houses—this relates to the ancient Uchinaa belief that the male spirit is the spirit of the outside and the female spirit is the spirit of the inside. To prevent the negative interaction or conquering of the inside spirit by the outside, the male spirits will go into the shi-shi statues while the man is inside and enter him again when he leaves. Most Uchinanchu of the younger generations are not serious adherents to this religion anymore, but many older Uchinanchu try to teach about the old ways, including dances and the language.
Arts
Uchinanchu are known as a peaceful people and have always considered the arts and music as more honorable than combat skills, but if need be they will defend their honour. This can be evidenced by the revelation that, in feudal Japan, it was almost mandatory to show martial awareness by keeping a daishōDaisho
The is a Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.-Description:...
(matched pair of large and small swords) in the tokonoma
Tokonoma
Tokonoma , also referred to simply as toko, is a Japanese term generally referring to a built-in recessed space in a Japanese style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed. In English, tokonoma is usually called alcove. The items usually displayed in a tokonoma are...
(living room alcove), but Uchinanchu always had a sanshin
Sanshin
The sanshin is an Okinawan musical instrument and precursor of the Japanese shamisen. Often likened to a banjo, it consists of a snakeskin-covered body, neck and three strings....
(a sort of Asian guitar or lute) in their tokonoma.
During the occupation by Japan in the mid-15th–16th centuries, the Uchinanchu were completely disarmed of all bladed weapons by the Japanese (who feared revolt). The techniques of self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
and using farm tools as weapons against armed opponents—called "Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
" by today's martial artists—was created totally by Uchinanchu who probably incorporated some gong fu and native techniques from China into a complete system of attack and defense known simply as Te (literally meaning "hand(s)," but with a strong connotation of "manoeuvre(s)"). These martial arts varied slightly from town to town, and were named for their towns of origin, examples being Naha-te (currently known as Goju-Ryu), Tomari-te and Shuri-te.
Notable Ryukyuans
- Namie AmuroNamie Amurois a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
; Singer(quarter-Italian). - Yui AragakiYui Aragakiis a Japanese idol, model, actress, singer, seiyū and occasional radio show host of Ryukyuan ancestry.She is particularly recognized for her beauty and her movie projects.- Overview :...
; Radio host, singer and TV personality. - Nagisa ArakakiNagisa Arakakiis a Japanese professional baseball player. He is currently with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Despite having one of the best fastballs and sliders of anyone in the league, Arakaki has battled control problems and injuries throughout his career...
; Baseball player. - Beni ArashiroBeni ArashiroBeni Daniels , is a Japanese pop and R&B singer-songwriter, who debuted in 2004 under the Avex Trax label under the name...
; singer (mother is Ryukyuan) - Yukiya ArashiroYukiya ArashiroYukiya Arashiro is a Japanese road bicycle racer who rides for French UCI Professional Continental team . In 2005 he was the Japanese U23 National Time Trial and Road Race Champion and in 2007 he was national road race champion.In 2009 he was selected by his team to ride the Tour de France...
; road bicycle racer. - Kanehisa ArimeKanehisa Arimeis a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Pacific League.-External links:...
; Baseball player. - BeginBegin (band)is a Japanese pop group from Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Their sound contains many elements of traditional Ryukyuan folk music, and prominently features the sanshin.-History:...
; Musical group. - bless4Bless4bless4 is a Japanese vocal ensemble from the United States consisting of the four brothers and sisters of the Kawamitsu family. Youngest sister Akino has her own solo musical career, and youngest brother Aiki has also released a solo single to accompany his book.-History:All but Akashi were born...
; Musical group. - Kurara ChibanaKurara Chibana, a Japanese model, born on March 27, 1982, is a native of Naha City . She competed in Miss Universe 2006 and ended up as the 1st Runner-up.-Miss Universe 2006:...
; first runner-up for Miss Universe 2006Miss Universe 2006Miss Universe 2006, the 55th Miss Universe pageant, took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA. Unlike past events, it was broadcast live on NBC on a Sunday, July 23, 2006, almost two months later than usual.... - Yuki ChikudateYuki ChikudateYuki Chikudate is the main vocalist and keyboardist of the dream pop band, Asobi Seksu. She was born in Japan and is of Japanese descent, which she claims to be what contributes to the Japanese lyrics in a few of the band's songs...
; singer - Rina ChinenRina ChinenRina Chinen is a female Japanese entertainer, former singer, model and TV actress. Rina was born in Naha, Okinawa. Although Okinawa is now part of Japan, it has evolved its unique culture and music blended from Chinese, Japanese, and Pacific influences...
; singer, actress - Hajime Chitose; singer
- CoccoCoccois a female Ryukyuan folk rock singer who debuted in 1996 with a self-titled EP titled Cocko. A track from the EP, "Sing a Song ~No Music, No Life~", was used in an advertising campaign for Tower Records Japan. In March 1997, she released her major label debut single "Kauntodaun" and a full-length...
; Musician. - D-51D-51is an Okinawan band which performs Japanese-language pop music. D-51 is group consisting of two men, Yu and Yasu. They are signed under Pony Canyon label. According to its members, the name D-51 came from Japanese National Railways' D51 steam locomotive class....
; Musical group - Da PumpDa Pumpis an Okinawan male idol group comprising lead vocalist, Issa and MCs Ken, Yukinari, and Shinobu. The group formed as students at Okinawa Actors School in 1996...
; Musical group (4 original members). - Lieko English; Okinawan-American model, represented Okinawa in the 1965 Miss Universe pageant, former Playboy magazine's Playmate.
- Finger 5Finger 5was a Japanese pop group, composed of the four Okinawan Tamamoto brothers, Kazuo, Mitsuo, Masao, Akira, and sister Taeko. Their greatest hit was "Koi No Dial 6700 "....
; Musical group. - Folder 5Folder 5Folder 5 was a five-girl Japanese pop idol group on the avex trax label. The group, consisting of Okinawa-natives, was known for singing Eurobeat-style music.- History of Folder 5 :...
; Musical group. - Fuzzy ControlFuzzy Control (band)is a three-piece Japanese rock band currently signed to DCT Records. They gained prominence in Japan after being featured as vocalists and musicians on Dreams Come True's singles "Good Bye My School Days" and "Sono Saki e". Fuzzy Control has played at the 2005 Summer Sonic Festival and their single...
; Musical group. - GacktGacktis a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer....
; Singer-songwriter, actor and author - GoriGorie, better known as ' or ' or ', is a Ryukyuan comedian, variety show host, seiyū, film director, and musician. He often appears in drag as a schoolgirl character. He is member of the owarai group Garage Sale. He has collaborated with Jasmine Ann Allen and Joann Yamazaki and they released 3 singles...
; Comedian and actor. - Kazuki GanahaKazuki GanahaKazuki Ganaha is an Japanese football player who currently plays for F.C. Ryūkyū. He is a right-footed forward.-Playing career:...
; Football (soccer) player. - Yoko GushikenYoko Gushikenwas a Ryukyuan professional boxer from 1974-1981. His professional record is 23-1 and he held the title of WBA Light Flyweight champion 1976-1981.-Biography:...
; Professional boxer. - Kenji HagaKenji Haga, better known as , is a mixed-race entertainment talent, actor and businessperson from Okinawa, Okinawa. Haga was born to an American father and an Okinawan mother...
; TV Talent (half-AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). - Yoshie HayasakaYoshie Hayasakais a Japanese actress and singer. Along with the ranking in the top 100 in the Oricon Singles Chart for several of her songs, her single "Zettai! Part 2" reached number 42. In 2003, she married the Japanese pro wrestler known as Super Delfin.-References:...
; TV Talent - Akinobu HiranakaAkinobu HiranakaAkinobu Hiranaka is a former boxer in the Light welterweight division...
; Professional boxer. - James IhaJames IhaJames Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
; Musician. - Takeshi KaneshiroTakeshi KaneshiroTakeshi Kaneshiro , born October 11, 1973, is a Taiwan-born Japanese actor and singer.-Name:...
; Actor and former MandopopMandopopMandopop is a colloquial abbreviation for "Mandarin popular music." It is categorized as a subgenre of commercial Chinese-language music within C-pop. Mandopop was the first variety of popular music in Chinese to establish itself as a viable industry. As the name implies, Mandopop features songs...
and CantopopCantopopCantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
singer (half-Uchinanchu half-TaiwaneseTaiwanese peopleTaiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
) - Shoukichi KinaShoukichi Kina, born June 10, 1948 in Koza , Okinawa, is an Okinawan rock musician who, along with his band Champloose, played a large role in the Japanese home-grown "folk rock" scene in the 70s and 80s. His first big hit was "Haisai Ojisan" in 1972, which he wrote when he was in high school...
; Musician and politician, currently a member of the House of CouncillorsHouse of CouncillorsThe is the upper house of the Diet of Japan. The House of Representatives is the lower house. The House of Councillors is the successor to the pre-war House of Peers. If the two houses disagree on matters of the budget, treaties, or designation of the prime minister, the House of Representatives...
. - KiroroKirorois a Japanese musical group from Okinawa that debuted in 1996.-History:Kiroro first debuted in 1996 as an independent band, and later made their major debut in 1998 with the song "". They performed on Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1998, 1999 and 2001....
; Musical duo - Ryoko KuninakaRyoko Kuninakais an Okinawan actress and singer. She hails from Naha City in Okinawa, Japan and currently works for Vision Factory.-Biography:Ryoko Kuninaka was working part-time at a Zenzai store when she was discovered by a talent scout. In 1998, she entered the "Idol High School" for aspiring female...
; Actress. - Meisa KurokiMeisa Kuroki, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese actress, model and singer born in Nago, Okinawa, Japan. She is represented by the agency Sweet Power and is signed to Sony Music Japan. She made her acting debut in 2004. She has modeled for the popular Japanese fashion magazine JJ, among others, and...
; Actress (quarter-American). - Caroline LufkinCaroline LufkinCaroline Lufkin is an Okinawan-American musician and younger sister of Japanese pop artist Olivia Lufkin. Caroline's music has found a home at Temporary Residence Ltd...
; Singer (half-Uchinanchu half-Caucasian) - Olivia Lufkin; Singer (older sister of the above)
- Akino Kawamitsu; Singer, member of bless4Bless4bless4 is a Japanese vocal ensemble from the United States consisting of the four brothers and sisters of the Kawamitsu family. Youngest sister Akino has her own solo musical career, and youngest brother Aiki has also released a solo single to accompany his book.-History:All but Akashi were born...
- Mitsuo Matayoshi, aka Jesus Matayoshi, leader of the World Economic Community Party
- MAXMAX (band)MAX whose name is an acronym for "Musical Active eXperience" is an Okinawan vocal group popular in Japan. The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the Super Monkey's along with lead vocalist, Namie Amuro...
; Musical group. - Saori Minami; Musician.
- Dj Tsukasa; Musician.
- Ai MiyazatoAi Miyazatois a Japanese professional golfer who currently competes on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and the Japan LPGA Tour . She was the top-ranked golfer in the Women's World Golf Rankings for three periods of time in 2010.-Early life and amateur career:...
; Golf player. - Mongol800MONGOL800is an Okinawan band from Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan consisting of three members. When they were aged 19, they released their first album. They have released five studio recordings, one single, and one live concert DVD. In 2001, despite low commercial attention, they sold over two-million records from...
; Musical group - Yukie NakamaYukie Nakamais a Japanese actress, singer and former idol. She was born in Okinawa, Japan, in a fisherman's family, the youngest of five siblings.At the start of her career she was a gravure idol and singer , and appeared in bit roles until her career breakthrough playing Sadako in "Ring 0: Birthday ."In 2000,...
; Actress. - Rimi NatsukawaRimi Natsukawais an Okinawan singer. She is best known for her 2001 single "Nada Sōsō."- Childhood :Natsukawa was born in Ishigaki, the largest city in the Yaeyama Islands chain. From a young age she enjoyed singing, and wanted to be a singer after hearing her father sing Yaeyama folk songs, such as and...
; Singer. - Risa NiigakiRisa Niigakiis a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning...
; Singer of the pop group Morning MusumeMorning Musume, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
. Third-generation Okinawan. - Maki Onaga; Former vocalist of the band High and Mighty ColorHigh and Mighty ColorHigh and Mighty Color was a Japanese metal band active from 2003 to 2010. They notably had two vocalists; a male and a female.- Formation and Anti-Nobunaga :...
- High and Mighty ColorHigh and Mighty ColorHigh and Mighty Color was a Japanese metal band active from 2003 to 2010. They notably had two vocalists; a male and a female.- Formation and Anti-Nobunaga :...
; J-rock band; all of the band personnel are Okinawan including the new vocalist. - Orange RangeOrange Rangeis a 5-member Okinawan alternative rock band, based in Okinawa, Japan. Formed in 2001, the band began with Spice Music and later signed with Sony Music Japan's gr8! records division in 2003. The group left gr8! records in 2010 to start their own label, Super Echo....
; Musical group. - Rinken BandRinken Bandis an Okinawan folk band that helped popularize their homeland's musical forms and traditional music starting in 1985, when their first hit, "Arigatou", was released....
; Musical group - Dave Roberts; Major League Baseball player (born in Okinawa, mother is Ryukyuan)
- Jake ShimabukuroJake ShimabukuroJake Shimabukuro is an ukulele virtuoso known for his complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz and rock.- History :...
; Ukulele-player (fifth generation Okinawan American from Hawaii) - SpeedSpeed (band)Speed is an Okinawan female vocal/dance group comprising Hiroko Shimabukuro, Eriko Imai, Takako Uehara and Hitoe Arakaki. All four members are former students of Okinawa Actors School which also trained popular artists Namie Amuro and MAX.Speed made their major label debut on August 5, 1996 and...
; Musical group. - Tomi TairaTomi Taira' is a Japanese actress with a long history of performing in Okinawan theatre. She is chiefly active as an actress, narrator, dialect coach and in other capacities in shows and films taking place in Okinawa and in projects otherwise representing the region, as well as working more directly and...
; Actress - Cyril TakayamaCyril TakayamaCyril Takayama is an American-Japanese illusionist of Japanese and French descent. He is perhaps best known for his magic performances around Japan.-Early life:...
; illusionist (father is Ryukyuan) - Brian TeeBrian TeeBrian Tee is an American actor.Tee was born in Okinawa, Japan, of Japanese and Korean descent. At the age of two, he moved to Hacienda Heights, California, and was raised there ever since. He attended Glen A. Wilson High School and was ASB president and a star captain of the football team. While...
; American actor (half-Okinawan and half-Korean) - Katsuo TokashikiKatsuo TokashikiKatsuo Tokashiki is an Okinawan former WBA Light flyweight champion. He currently works as an actor and television persona, and runs own boxing gym in Tokyo, Japan.- Childhood & Early Career :...
; Professional boxer. - Takefumi Toma; Football (soccer) player.
- Tamlyn TomitaTamlyn TomitaTamlyn Naomi Tomita is an actress, who has appeared in many Hollywood films and television series.-Early life:Tomita was born in Okinawa, the daughter of Shiro and Asako Tomita. Her father then later became a Los Angeles Police Officer, rising to the rank of sergeant. He succumbed to cancer in...
; Okinawan-American actress (quarter-Filipino) - Masane TsukayamaMasane Tsukayamais a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator from Naha, Okinawa.-Television animation:*Akagi *Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto *Blocker Gundan 4 Machine Blaster...
; Actor, voice actor, and narrator - Shozo Uehara; Scenario writer.
- Shintaro YamadaShintaro Yamadaborn July 10, 1986 in Onna, Okinawa, is a Japanese fashion model, actor, and singer.He is the younger brother of Yu Yamada. His modeling credits include appearing in Men's Non-No and Popeye...
; Actor, fashion model, and TV talent, younger brother of Yu Yamada. - Yu YamadaYu Yamadais a model, actress, and singer best known from her modeling work with CanCam magazine. Shintaro Yamada is her brother.- Career :Yamada graduated from Okinawa Actors School...
; Actress. - Passion YaraPassion Yarais a Japanese comedian. He is perhaps best known for the angry, passionate chest-beating in his comedy routine....
; Comedian. - Thelma AoyamaThelma Aoyama, born October 27, 1987, is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. She is part Afro-Trinidadian and Japanese.She is probably best known for her collaboration song with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo", and her answer song "Soba ni Iru ne"...
;Singer(quarter-Trinidad and Tobago).
Deceased people
- Ethel AzamaEthel AzamaEthel Azama was an American jazz and popular singer and recording artist. She sang regularly in nightclubs and other concert venues between the mid-1950s and 1984. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and was of Okinawan ancestry...
; Jazz singer. - Nanao SakakiNanao SakakiNanao Sakaki was a Japanese poet, author of Bellyfulls and leading personality of the Tribe. He was born to a large family in the Kagoshima Prefecture, and raised by parents who ran an indigo dye-house....
; Poet. - Gichin FunakoshiGichin Funakoshiwas the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
; Martial artist. - Shō HashiSho HashiShō Hashi was the first king of the Ryūkyū Kingdom , uniting the three kingdoms of Chūzan, Hokuzan, and Nanzan by conquest...
; The 2nd King of the First Sho Dynasty who united Okinawa Island. - Hideki IrabuHideki Irabuwas a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...
; Former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. - Ankō ItosuAnko Itosuis considered by many the father of modern karate, although this title is also often given to Gichin Funakoshi because the latter spread karate throughout Japan.- Biography :...
; Martial artist. - Yeiki KobashigawaYeiki KobashigawaYeiki Kobashigawa was a soldier in United States Army who received the Medal of Honor in World War II during actions near Lanuvio, Italy. Kobashigawa, who fought with the 100th Infantry Battalion, was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading a squad in destroying several German machine gun nests...
; a soldier who received the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
with the 100th Infantry Battalion in the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - Sōkon MatsumuraSokon Matsumurawas one of the original karate masters of Okinawa. His life is reported variously as or or or -Early history:...
; Martial artist and one of the original Te masters of Okinawa. - Chōjun MiyagiChojun Miyagiwas an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate.-Early life and training:Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888, the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. He began his study in Karate-do at the age of nine . He first learned martial arts from Ryuko...
; Martial artist. - Chōki Motobu; Martial artist.
In fiction
- UltramanUltramanis Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
, Many concepts originated from the Islands of Okinawa by the key creator Tetsuo Kinjo. - Keisuke Miyagi from the Karate Kid trilogy, played by Pat MoritaPat MoritaNoriyuki "Pat" Morita was an American actor of Japanese descent who was well-known for playing the roles of Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on Happy Days and Mr. Miyagi in the The Karate Kid movie series, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1984.-Early life:Pat...
. - Maxi, a character from the popular Soul series of video games
- Mugen, from the anime series Samurai ChamplooSamurai Champloois a Japanese anime series created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. It was broadcast in Japan from May 20, 2004 through March 19, 2005 on Fuji TV. Samurai Champloo has earned Watanabe a renowned title in the anime and Japanese television communities...
See also
- Ryukyu independence movementRyukyu independence movementThe or Republic of the Ryūkyūs is a movement for the independence of Okinawa and the surrounding islands , from Japan. The movement emerged in 1945, after the end of the Pacific War...
- List of active autonomist and secessionist movements
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesThe United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 62nd session at UN Headquarters in New York City on 13 September 2007....
- Okinawan SamuraiPechinThe is an Okinawan term for the warrior class of the former Ryūkyū Kingdom , the class equivalent of the Japanese Samurai...
- Okinawa prefectureOkinawa Prefectureis one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
- History of Ryukyu Islands
- Ryukyuan religionRyukyuan religionRyukyuan religion is the indigenous belief system of the Ryukyu Islands. While specific legends and traditions may vary slightly from place to place and island to island, the Ryukyuan religion is generally characterized by ancestor worship and the respecting of relationships between the living, the...
- Ethnic issues in JapanEthnic issues in Japan- Demographic :About 1.6% of Japan's total legal resident population are foreign nationals. Of these, according to 2008 data from the Japanese government, the principal groups are as follows....
- Government of the Ryukyu IslandsGovernment of the Ryukyu IslandsThe was the government in Okinawa, Japan after World War II until 1972.-Outline:After the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, the armed forces of the United States occupied Okinawa and set up a local government. In 1952, Japan signed the Treaty of San Francisco and admitted the control of Okinawa...
- Yamato peopleYamato peopleis a name for the dominant native ethnic group of Japan. It is a term that came to be used around the late 19th century to distinguish the residents of the mainland Japan from other minority ethnic groups who have resided in the peripheral areas of Japan, such as the Ainu, Ryukyuan, Nivkh, Ulta, as...
- Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
Further reading
- Kreiner, J. (1996). Sources of Ryūkyūan history and culture in European collections. Monographien aus dem Deutschen Institut für Japanstudien der Philipp-Franz-von-Siebold-Stiftung, Bd. 13. München: Iudicium. ISBN 3-89129-493-X
- Ota, Masahide. (2000). Essays on Okinawa Problems. Yui Shuppan Co.: Gushikawa City, Okinawa, Japan. ISBN 4-946539-10-7 C0036.
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- An excellent collection of essays by a peace activist and former governor of Okinawa. Among the issues it discusses are those affecting the development of Ryukyuan identity.
- Ouwehand, C. (1985). Hateruma: socio-religious aspects of a South-Ryukyuan island culture. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 90-04-07710-3
- Pacific Science Congress, and Allan H. Smith. (1964). Ryukyuan culture and society: a survey. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
- Sakiyama, R. (1995). Ryukyuan dance = Ryūkyū buyō. Naha City: Okinawa Dept. of Commerce, Industry & Labor, Tourism & Cultural Affirs Bureau.
- Yamazato, Marie. (1995). Ryukyuan cuisine. Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture: Okinawa Tourism & Cultural Affairs Bureau Cultural Promotion Division.
- An excellent collection of essays by a peace activist and former governor of Okinawa. Among the issues it discusses are those affecting the development of Ryukyuan identity.
External links
- Okinawa Peace Network of Los Angeles, featuring information about Ryukyuan culture worldwide
- Inside Story: JAPAN, THE NEW BATTLE FOR OKINAWA (Asia Week)
- The Politics of Uchinau