Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Flynn
OKINAWA MARINE STAFF
When Toshihiro Nakahara’s friend, who raised horses for food, asked Nakahara which horse he would like to eat, Black King caught his eye. But when Nakahara returned home from his friend’s horse farm, his plans soon changed.
Now, eleven years later, Black King, the oldest horse at Nakahara’s Mihara Horse Club in Uruma City, is the grand daddy of the stables.
“He decided to feed him instead of eat him,” said Sachio Yamashita, a riding instructor for the club. “And the horse club grew from that first horse.”
The club offers riding lessons and access to horses and horse-trails for members and interested parties. The club has about 100 students, nine horses and three ponies and is the only horse club on Okinawa to offer English-speaking instructors.
Club member Teresa Stultz said she found out about the club through the internet, and she and her family now frequent the club.
“Every time we come, it is very hard to get my 2-year-old daughter to leave because she just loves to feed and pet the horses,” Stultz said. “We all have a lot of fun when we come.”
The club hosts two horse shows per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Most recently, the club hosted the 15th Mihara Horse Club Riding Event March 29, which was the farewell event for club manager Jacquie Kubicki and assistant manager Katherine Hamill, who will leave Okinawa soon. Kubicki and Hamill are the club’s main English speaking instructors. Samantha Straub will take over as the primary English-speaking instructor May 1.
The riding event drew about 60 spectators who watched 30 Japanese and American riders
from the club participate in events such as a Dressage Class (where riders display skills at controlling the horse), relay races and Show Jumping.
Membership to the club is open to the public and offers many different activities such as village treks, beach treks and pony rides for beginning and experienced riders.
“We teach our students not only how to ride, but also how to feed, water, wash and brush the animals,” Kubicki said.
For more information about the club, visit www.mihara-horse.com.
2008-04-04
Horse riding club offers English speaking instructors
hey, mike: Uncomfortable silences
I have been studying Japanese for a about six months, and I thought I was progressing. However, many times there are gaps of awkward silence in conversations with Japanese friends, as well as blank looks when I give the standard “okay” sign. What am I doing wrong?
Some people find silence oppressive in a conversation, and feel an irresistible urge to fill every five-second gap with sometimes unnecessary words. However, to many Japanese people, silence can be just as significant as words. It can be a moment to “digest” all levels and implications of what has just been communicated or a pause to ponder and respond in a manner that causes the least negativity on both parties. Sometimes silence, or what is left unspoken, can also be just as important as what is said. Occasionally when communicating with a Japanese person, one must read between the lines a little bit more and watch for non-verbal cues and body language that can differ from what you are used to seeing. Japan’s principal religions are Shinto and Zen Buddhism, and many aspects of these religions deeply permeate Japanese culture and daily life. Many Zen Buddhists believe in stark simplicity; that by ridding oneself of earthly attachments, including attachment to the notion of “self” or “I," one can be free of suffering. Many aspects of Shinto morality are rooted in de-emphasizing “self," and emphasizing everything of benefit to the group. Even during modern times, these deep-seated ideals affect the mannerisms of many Japanese.
The expressionless, uncommitted appearance of the Japanese is fairly common. In Japan, it is usually considered rude to overtly express your emotions in public. The “poker face” is often used to cover up negative emotions, save other people from embarrassment, as well as to protect privacy. Every so often, even the universal smile can carry unfamiliar meanings. In addition to being an expression of joy, a smile can also be an expression that conceals embarrassment, and it can also hide pain, or anguish. In an uncomfortable situation, it is not uncommon for Japanese to give a nervous laugh or an awkward smile to conceal their true emotions. Direct eye contact, which is often seen as a sign of honesty, confidence, or sincerity can be considered a rude gesture that signifies defiance or challenge. A Japanese person also may sometimes shift their eyes or look down to show respect to another person.
Certain hand gestures that may mean one thing to a person from one culture could mean something completely different to a Japanese person. For example the concept of “Me” or “I” can be signified by either pointing to one’s nose, or touching their nose—as opposed to a thumb to one’s chest. Fanning one’s hand back and forth in front of the face as if to fan away flies usually means “no." And, pointing the index fingers up from the temples—mimicking a devil’s horns— can convey anger. Forming a circle with the thumb and index fingers together—similar to what is sometimes used by many of us to mean, “okay”—usually means money.
These are just a few of the little differences between Japanese and Western cultures’ ways of communication. And, although communicating can sometimes be difficult, the rewards are great—don’t give up!
Got questions for Mike? E-mail editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Taiko drumming, cherry blossoms to bring nations together in US capital
Lance Cpl. Aaron Hostutler
OKINAWA MARINE STAFF
KADENA AIR BASE – In 1912, Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki gave 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington D.C. to kindle the friendship growing between the U.S. and Japan.
Since then, cherry blossom festivals are held in Washington annually to celebrate the occasion.
This year, Nix Hamaya Daiko, a taiko drum group comprised of Okinawans and Americans, will travel to Washington to participate in the tradition by performing in the city’s
cherry blossom festival April 11-13.
Nix Hamaya Daiko will perform at the Jefferson Memorial April 11. The group will march in a parade April 12 and perform at the Kennedy Center April 13.
The group has been preparing for the event for three months, according to Capt. Rodd Chin, an Odaiko drummer and intelligence officer with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
“It is an honor to be invited to represent Okinawa and its culture,” Chin said.
While taiko drummers have traveled to the Washington festival before, this is one of the first times there will be so many Americans performing with Okinawans, Chin said.
“It’s really not about Americans representing another country,” said Chin. “It’s about a group of people who have come to love the country and culture they have lived in and expressing that through this festival.”
Several Okinawan members of the group are traveling to the U.S. for the first time.
“I’m really excited about going to the states,” said Kaito Shimabukuro, a Shime Daiko drum player. “I look forward to making great new relationships with people in the states.”
By continuing to have the festival and by having both Americans and Okinawans participate in a traditional taiko drum show, the festival carries on the original sentiment of goodwill between the two countries, Chin said.
H.I.S. Travel - April 4
U.S.A. Airfares - We always offer the best prices!
Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.
5/6-6/30 $1109 (Tax Included)
(Limited departure date) purchase 21 days prior to departure date
New York
5/6-6/30 $1180 (Tax included)
(Limited departure date) purchase 21 days prior to departure date
Atlanta, Miami, Raleigh, etc
4/7-4/18 $1,152 (Tax included)
purchase 3 days prior to departure date.
We also have one way fares and other options. Please call us for further details.
From U.S.A. to Okinawa
ASIA AIRFARES - April Departures
Seoul $290 (Yen 29,000) 7 days advance purchase
Manila $600 (Yen 60,000) Hong Kong $420 (Yen 42,000) Bangkok $640 (Yen 64,O0O) Phuket $660 (Yen 66,000) Beijing $710 (Yen 71,000)
Naha Miegusuku port dep.
3/28—4/6 $33 ($23) Child fare 4—11yrs ($0), O-3yrs $5
Call us for details
Tokyo
May dep. $100 (Yen 10,000) one way
Purchase 49 days prior to departure date.
* Call us for other departure dates.
Hong Kong Free Time 4 Days
Price includes:
Air, Hotel, 3 Breakfast and Transfers,
* Based on 2 people per room.
Call us for details
•Supplies are limited, restrictions may apply.
•Tax and extra fees may apply.
•Child fare also available.
•Dollar prices shown may vary depending on exchange rate.
•[$1=100yen rate as of Mar 29th.]
LOCATED NEAR KAB GATE 2
098-983-a620
LOCATED NEAR CAMP FOSTER
098-982-7600
OPEN HOURS
MON-FRI 1000-1830 SAT 1000-1600
Closed Sunday
Naha Main Office 098-868-1133
Thank God it’s obento Friday
Source: Stripes Okinawa
Story and Photos by William Stroud
For lunch, children at Kadena Elementary School recently feasted on a sautéed and steamed kelp, dried "daikon" radish and “sanma,” a saury fish simmered in broth. It wasn’t a fieldtrip. The traditional Japanese fare was served up right here at school.
Every other Friday is special at Kadena. It has the only Japanese Partial Immersion program in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools Okinawa District. That means “obento,” that neatly packaged box lunch with rice and any number of Japanese delicacies.
Sally Wilkerson’s fourth grade class is just one in which pupils and one of their parents pair up to learn the local culture and language through a variety of activities. But obento Friday is clearly a hit with everyone.
For chopstick master Justin, it is his third year. For others, like Jordan, it is their introduction year. “I like the language and the culture,” she quickly said between bites. Corina bragged, “I can write my name and I love the fieldtrips.”
For Erica, obento day is a family event with father Sam, mother Kristy and younger sister Samantha all digging in. Sam and Kristy brimmed with enthusiasm. “She’s learning so much and I just hope she can teach us,” said Kristy. "After all, we’re in Japan and there’s no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Insun is from South Korea and her daughter Nuree is also in attendance. They take Japanese conversation classes. The program is outside the purview of the normal foreign language studies and is geared more toward exposure and enrichment than language proficiency. It serves as a nice addition to students’ regular academic studies.
“We teach them to introduce themselves,” Wilkerson says. “We do the calendar together and we have a lot of mingling activities when Japanese students come to visit.”
Seth Renquist, who studied Japanese in college and taught for a year at a Japanese school, had his fifth grade class enjoy their obento out on the lawn. His and Wilkerson’s are among six of the school’s immersion classes, explains principal Stan Hays.
“We have one class in each grade, one through six,” he said. “We’re the only JPI (Japanese Immersion Program) on the island and a big reason is because it’s difficult to staff. To teach JPI, you not only have to be a fully qualified elementary school teacher, but you also have to pass a very tough Japanese proficiency exam.
“Another hurdle is the constant rotation of families,” he adds. “Ideally, we’d like to have a child in the program for the full three years of the sponsor’s tour. To do that, we have to be flexible and creative with the way we let kids in the program.”
The program appears to be working. The children were proud to share all the things they learned. Not surprisingly, however, none offered to share their obento.
fashion: made to shade
This sun-blocking accessories trend has been going strong for well over five years, and shows no signs of letting up; according to The Japan Times, the market is estimated at 35 billion yen annually, and has expanded 10 percent annually for the past five years. Parasols and umbrellas treated with anti-UV coating (which purportedly filters out 90 percent of the sun’s damaging rays) are consistently top-sellers, as are one of the more peculiar anti-UV garments, the “ray sleeve." Like a long, fingerless glove, ray sleeves cover bare arms from above the elbow to the knuckles, while still leaving fingers free. Many are chemically treated with SPF and are available in an assortment of colors and styles.
With summer right around the corner, UV-busting accessories are available right now in most stores, and for every budget, from Y300 for floral ray sleeves at Daiso, to Y10,000 for name-brand parasols at Mitsukoski. But for many women, price points don’t matter: “In Japan,” says one Tokyo shopper “appearance is everything."
IACE Travel - 4 April
From Okinawa - Overseas Airline Tickets & Tours
IACE TRAVEL NETWORK
www.iace.co.jp/english
IACE TRAVEL
USA SPECIAL (West Coast)
Roundtrip
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
$944 incl tax 4/7-19 departure
1 day advance purchase required
USA SPECIAL (East Coast)
Roundtrip
New York
$1151 incl. tax 5/4-29 weekday departure
7 days advance purchase required
USA to OKINAWA roundtrip
many East Coast cities. please ask agent
We also do this...
• Discounted air tickets to anywhere!
(Domestic, International, Economy or First Class)
• Tours both domestic & international
• Hotels anywhere
• Rent—a—car
• Airport bus between Narita & Haneda
• Visa processing (China, Vietnam, India, Australia. etc)
• Dinner cruise
• Whale watching
* www.iace.co.jp/english/okinawa
* Located in BLDG 3597 on KAB
Location Map:
* www.iace.co.jp/english/emap/oka-map.html
Mon -Fri • 9am - 6pm
2008-04-03
Yuriko's Kitchen: Simmered Ika & Konbu in Miso
By Tomoko Tomori
Instructor, Okinawa Women’s College
Sample from her book “Okinawan Home Cooking"
Ingredients
(5 servings) (215 kcal per serving)
Ika - 600g
Konbu - 15 g
Cooking Oil - 3 tbs
Sake - 1 1/2 tbs
Soy Sauce - 1 tbs
Mirin - 1 tbs
Neri Miso - 5 tbs
Soup stock - 1 1/4 cups
Nira (3cm long) - 50 g
How to make
1. Cut ika into 4cm long. Marinate in sake and neri miso, set aside.
2. Soak konbu in water until soft, cut into 3-4 cm long and tie a knot. Cook in soup stock seasoned with soy sauce until flavor absorbed in kombu.
3. In separate pan, heat oil and saute marinated ika and konbu, add mirin, the remaining sauce from marinated ika and konbu, simmer until thickened.
4. Lastly add nira.
Neri Miso: Miso - 450g ; Mirin - 1/2 cup ; Sugar - 5 tbs ; Sake - 1 1/2 tbs
*Combine ingredients into a medium size saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmmer or 30 minutes.
Japanese food dictionary:
Ika - squid
Miso - bean paste
Mirin - sweet rice wine for cooking
Sake - Japanese rice wine
Konbu - kelp
Nira - chive
Yakiniku Viking Try
Lunch 11:30-16:00 (L.O. 15:00)
Adult (over 13yrs) 980 yen ; Kids (4-12) 580 yen
Dinner (week days) 17:00-24:00 (L.O. 23:00)
. . . . . . (Sat Sun) 17:00-25:00 (L.O. 24:00)
Kids (6-12) 880 yen ; Children (4-5) 580 yen
Adult (over l3yrs) 1580 (60miri course)
With this AD 100 yen off per person
offer valid to 13 yrs old above.
All you can eat!
098-983-7129
Yakiniku Kinjo
for Quality Japanese Beef on 1st Day of the Month!
*Limited to 90 min. stay. *This is not "all you can eat".
Sam's Cafe
Casual Dining & Friendly Atmosphere.
Red Snapper Crustacean Sauce - 1,450 yen
Cafe Special Rib-eye Steak - 1,380 yen
Chunks of Mahi Mahi & Fried Shrimp - 1,580 yen
The Above Entrees are Served with Soup, Salad and Bread or Rice.
Outside Camp Foster's Legion Gate. 098-935-3699 5p.m.-midnight
Open Every Day, Free Parking, U.S. Dollars accepted, Excellent service without tipping.
SAM'S BY-THE-SEA
Fresh Island Seafood & Charbroiled Steaks
Bacon-Wrapped China Sea Shrimp, Pineapple, Onions and Bell Peppers, Carefully Char-Broiled with Our Own Barbecue Sauce. Served on a Bed of Rice Pilaff.
The Above Entree is Served with Soup, Salad and Bread.
Free Parking, U.S. Dollars accepted.
Excellent service without tipping.
NAHA CITY Oroku Near The Airport HWY331. 098-857-0339
Accepted at all Sams Restaurants:
•One coupon valid for four people.
•Valid with dinner orders only.
•Not accepted with any other coupons or discount tickets.
•Please present coupon when ordering.
•Complimentary items may vary at each restaurant.
Expires April 30, 2008
Sam's Anchor Inn
Japan’s most famous Teppanyaki restaurant, est.1970
Tenderloin Steak - 2,100 yen
The Above Entree is Served with Soup, Salad and Bread or Rice.
Ginowan: Near MCAS Futenma, HWY 58. 098-897-5555 Kokusai: In Naha on Kokusai St. 098-862-9090
Kanfuru Language School
— WANTED: Good conversationalist native English teachers
— Free Buddhism Class available
— TOEIC; TOEFL class
— 200 yen
Tel: 090-9781-0813 / 098-932-9825 Mr. Naka E-mail: kantouru@ezweb.ne.jp
Jasmine stifi pampers as anniversary nears
'Truly Thai’ is a popular theme with the Thailand, the Land of Smiles, and Jasmine on Okinawa is proud to use it too.
Jasmine is salon offering genuine Thai massage in a truly Thai atmosphere, with Thai-trained masseuses. Since opening its doors in April one year ago, Jasmine has been introducing Okinawa clientele to the wonders of Thai massage, which “begins from the tips of your toes,” says owner Pranee. “The massage energy then gradually moves upward to the top of your head by following Zen energy lines,” she explains, “because they are the pathways through the body where energy is thought to travel.”
Thai massage accents circulation and pressure points, which promote health and muscular flexibility. Pranee and the other Jasmine masseuses are all graduates of the Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School in Bangkok, one of the country’s best known and respected. Okinawa customers receive the benefits of that training, which is transformed into the Thai massage, which can take two hours or more, although Jasmine does offer shorter regimens.
Pranee works the massage through face up, face down, side and sitting positions to enable the masseuse to perform a variety of exercises involving gentle stretching of muscles with pressure from the palms, thumbs, elbows and feet. In addition to traditional Thai massage, Jasmine offers Herbal Tent sauna, oil massage and hot herbal compresses with herbal balls.
A Thai massage session begins with traditional greetings and having feet washed in herbal scented water, then donning loose fitting pajamas for the massage. Jasmine is excited about this month’s anniversary, and is offering customers a 10% discount on all courses.
To get to Jasmine, take Route 58 toward Naha from MCAS Futenma. After seeing Jimmy’s bakery on the left, make a left turn at the fourth traffic signal (the one with the big Sharp sign on the above corner) Then make a right at the single blinking red light, continue straight until the road curves to the left, and look for Jasmine on the left corner adjacent to Lawson’s at Ojana in Ginowan City. For more information call 090-2969-4744.
Inca Deep. T Massage
•Facial . 3000 yen
•Body . .3O min/3000 yen
. . . . . . .6O min/5000 yen
. . . . . . .90 min/7000 yen
•Facial + Body -1000 yen discount!
- No special service
- By appointment only!!
10am-7pm
090-1080-0729
#315 Taihei Bldg. (Free Parking)
Calm, soothing effect found at Mihama Dai-Ni Park
There’s a popular old song that includes the lyrics “you and me and the breeze.” It is apropos as the invitation to visit Mihama Dai-Ni Park, not too far from Camp Foster, where the sun and the sea and the breeze are what makes the idyllic little park such a great place to unwind. It’s not a big park, and there are no rest room facilities, but Mihama Dai-Ni offers something many say is more important. Tranquility.
The greenery offers opportunities for calm, where visitors can rest or look out over the town. Benches are nestled under trees, and fresh breezes bring forth the season’s smells.
A visit to Mihama Dai-Ni Park is easy. Exit the Camp Foster Commissary Gate and head north on Highway 58 until reaching Hamby Town San-A supermarket. Make a left, then continue to the end of the street, where you must take a right turn in front of the Araha Beach traffic light. Once there, you will see a huge parking area. Pull in and park, get out, and walk across the street to the park.
Fantastic Okinawa: Shisa honored at Tsuboya Festival
By Bill Charles
Tsuboya pottery is Okinawa’s finest, dating back centuries to the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and today marks the start to a festival paying homage to the most famous of hand crafted pieces.
The Tsuboya Festival is all about Shisa’s day, which is today. April is SHI(gatsu) in Japanese, and 3 is SAN in Japanese, making today the anniversary day of Shisa. From festival opening ceremonies this morning, which include Tsuboya Shisa Taiko Drum performances, to exhibitions that run through Sunday, it’s a time to introduce shisa to more foreigners, as well as locals.
Naha’s Tsuboya District has been the hub of Okinawan pottery since 1682, although the earthenware first began being made about 6,600 years ago. Today, dozens of workshops are still operating after being passed down from generation to generation. The most famous of the pottery is tsuboya-yaki, a product that has gained fame far beyond the islands of Okinawa.
There are actually two forms of tsuboya-yaki produced in Naha City’s Tsuboya District. Arayachi tsuboya-yaki is an unglazed pottery, often coated with a mud or manganese glaze. Typically, arayachi pottery is formed into large pieces that become storage vessels for awamori, water or bean paste. It’s also crafted into small masu-bin items such as bottles for measuring awamori.
Joyachi is a colorful glazed tsuboyayaki made into vases, teapots, pots, bowls, plates and even awamori traveling flasks. Tsuboya-yaki pottery was influenced by both Chinese ceramics first introduced in the 12th century, and a mainland Japanese Kyushu pottery.
Tsuboya District really got going when the Chibana, Wakuta and Takaraguchi pottery districts merged into the single district by a royal decree of the Ryukyuan court. It came about because of the Kingdom’s increased trading schedule with China and southeast Asia nations increased demand for the products.
World War II took its toll on Tsuboya’s craftsmen, who were directed by the Japanese Imperial Army to create battery cases and saucers for military use. After the war, a shortage of necessities for everyday life inspired Tsuboya District to quickly begin producing needed items. As Okinawa bounced back from the ravages of war, Tsuboya was forced to change. Kilns were deemed an annoyance in the downtown area, sending some artisans to the outlying areas to continue their trade. Others resisted, and Tsuboya District is alive and thriving today, although with electric kilns that don’t pollute the air with smoke.
An exhibition at Tsuboya Pottery Museum’s third floor gallery will run through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. There will also be special sales today only.
Sunday will feature something special, an opportunity for visitors to experience Shisaa making, using Okinawan clays. The participation fee is Y1,500. After making the pottery piece Sunday, the artisans will fire it in their kilns, then have it ready for pick up on April 26th.
Entry to the Tsuboya Pottery Museum is normally Y300 for adults, Y200 for high school and college students, and TY100 for middle school and younger students, but is free this week. The museum is normally open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Tsuboya Pottery District is located in downtown Naha City, in the Kokusai Street area. Across from Okinawa Mitsukoshi Department Store on Kokusai is Heiwadori, a shopping arcade. After walking through Heiwadori arcade, visitors reach Tsuboya District. For those traveling from military bases, travel south on Highway 58 to Naha City, then turn left at signs for Kokusai Street.
Another route is to travel Highway 330 south into Naha City. Just before Naha Police Headquarters is Yogi Park; the Tsuboya pottery district is on the right side of Route 330 just before Yogi Park. There’s limited parking in the pottery district, so it’s best to park in a paid parking lot, or take a taxi or walk from Heiwadori or Kokusai Street.
Fashion: SUKAJAN Attitude
Source: "The Source" (an "Okinawa Marine" insert)
Story by Carrie Carmichael
Photos by Mike Daley
When it comes to sukajan — those silky, ostentatiously embroidered baseball-style jackets, famously known as the souvenir of a Far East tour — people either love them, or hate them. Fans revere them as unique (and sometimes awesomely cheesy) examples of Japanese craftsmanship and Western style; foes simply consider them too tacky for words. Whatever your sentiments, you can’t deny that it takes attitude to wear one.
Also known as “Yokosuka Jackets," sukajan were first popularized during the post-World War II era by military members stationed at that mainland base. (The term sukajan is a contraction of “-suka,” from “Yokosuka,” and “jan," meaning jacket.) In later years, the jackets were adopted by yankees of a different nature: gangs of flashy high school drop-outs, who trolled the streets of Tokyo on motorbikes. Like James Dean’s beat-up leather jacket, sukajan were the ultimate tough-guy accessory.
Over time, however, the bad boy image associated with sukajan dissipated, and lately versions have been popping up for everyone (or everything): children, pets, even cell phones. Girls’ pink and white Disney sukajan are available at San-A; pet versions — sporting Far East Tour motifs or Japanese pro baseball logos — have been spotted at OPF (Okinawa Pet Food) and Pet Club Ocean. Ralph Lauren even featured a ridiculously bright blue, red, and yellow silk satin sukajan in his 2008 Resort Wear collection. But if you don’t want to look like a poseur, take advantage of your location and get the real deal at any local embroidery shop.
Eagle Lodge
WELCOME TO
EAGLE LODGE
• Spacious & Comfortably Furnished.
• Internet Connection & Satellite in Every Room.
• Laundromat, Playground, Pets Area.
*We provide good service that is up to your expectation!
Phone: 936-3651/090-9783-6252
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Closed Sunday
Cologne's Japanese Lesson (3 April)
(2) a-na-ta (you)
(3) o-to-ko (male)
(4) 0-nn-na (female)
(5) ni-nn-ge-nn (human)
(6) hi-to (human)
(7) i-nu (dog)
(8) ne-ko (cat)
2008-04-02
Gesashi's magical mangrove
Source: Stripes Okinawa
Story and Photos by Keith T. Graff
Whether seeking solitude from Nago City's urban buzz or a new site for a family outing, a leisurely drive up the east coast on Highway 331 has its own rewards. But just past the Highway 14 intersection, a majestic mangrove forest offers even more.
Mangrove River Walk Park in Gesashi is just past Arume Bay. Lush mangrove shrubs and trees line the river banks as well as the scenic walkway that winds its way through the area.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll a few hundred meters into this off-road paradise. More adventurous people can take the trail farther up adn come back over the ridge to get a panoramic view, but watch out for the habu snake. For the less adventurous, a small tower is easy to access near the parking area.
Photo caption: A view upstream from the entrance of Mangrove River Walk Park.
2008-04-01
Battle sites tour provides Marines a glimpse into Okinawa’s history
Lance Cpl. Jacob A. McKinney took a deep breath and then had a personal moment of silence after finding “MCKINNEY M C,” his great-grandfather’s name, engraved on one of the 126 Cornerstone of Peace memorials at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City March 10.
More than 240,000 names of those killed during the Battle of Okinawa are carved on the memorial stones, which were erected to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle. Of those, approximately 14,000 were American service members. McKinney’s great-grandfather was one of them.
“It’s kind of closure,” said McKinney. “I had heard about him from my grandpa, but I never saw him. This is a relief to finally get to see his name here. I’m glad that I got to see the island where he fought.”
Ninety-two Marines from Motor Transportation Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, including McKinney, visited the park as part of their unit‘s professional military education program, which aims to increase military knowledge and improve leadership skills.
Before arriving at the park, the Marines had stopped at Hacksaw Ridge, the Battle of Okinawa
historical display on Camp Kinser, and the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters, gaining
insight into one of the most devastating periods in Okinawa’s history.
Learning about part of Okinawa’s history also gave them insight into current aspects of the
island. “Knowing the history really helps when trying to understand Okinawa and its people and their attitudes toward the military,” said Cpl Greg Mann. “I was especially moved by the Cornerstone of Peace because rather than memorializing one side, it focused on saying we need peace instead of war. I really liked that.”
Marine units across Okinawa regularly travel to battle sites as part of their professional military education activities, according to Mitsuko Igei, a coordinator for the Marine Corps Community Services’ “Tours Plus” office. Since 1995, Tours Plus has provided guides and transportation to units making battle sites tours. In 2007 alone, 53 units conducted such trips.
Chris Majewski, who first came to Okinawa as a Marine corporal in 1993, has been leading those tours since 1996. “Anytime you learn something new about a place, it changes the way you view it,” said Majewski. “If it doesn’t, then you’re not really looking at it. The same goes for these tours. By learning about such a significant part of Okinawa’s history, it can’t help but change the way a person looks at the island, its people and culture.”
McKiney was one such Marine. “When I first got here, I thought this was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been,” he said. “But coming on this tour helps you understand there is
much more to this island than just its beauty.”
Most importantly, perhaps, are the lessons to be learned by studying the island’s past. “It’s almost a cliché,” said Majewski, “but if you don’t learn from history, you just repeat it.”
LCpl Ron Manning, echoed that thought. “The lessons we learn from the past teach us what we
need to do to make a better future,” he said. “And that’s what all of us want.”
Marines, Okinawans support aging local sugarcane farmers
Kaori Tanahara
During their tour of duty on Okinawa, Marines often seek unique opportunities that they can only experience here. While helping the local community, Marines from Camp Hansen recently participated in such an experience.
On a cold and rainy March morning, seven Marines from Camp Hansen Camp Services and more than 20 Okinawan residents and staff from Reimeinosato, a home for the mentally-disabled in
Uruma City, worked together in two sugarcane fields belonging to elderly farmers who are no longer capable of doing the work themselves. The team gathered and placed bundles of approximately four-foot long sugarcane stalks into small piles, preparing them for collection and processing by a nearby sugar refinery.
For more than 15 years, Marine volunteers from Camp Hansen and Reimeinosato residents and staff have been assisting aging Okinawan farmers by providing a much-needed supplemental workforce to help sustain Okinawa’s staple crop, according to Yasuko Yonashiro, a Reimeinosato staff member.
“Each year during the harvesting season from January to March, we help with the last and probably the physically hardest work of harvesting sugarcane,” said Yonashiro. “Marines from Camp Hansen have been part of our effort for many years, and we always appreciate their help.”
“It was a great chance to get out and experience the life of Okinawa,” said Lance Cpl. Devlin Murray. “We learned about the historical role of sugarcane in Okinawa’s economy, and we got to know more about the people from the home. They are hard workers and great motivators.”
After finishing their work, Marines and the residents took a break together at a nearby park, where the home’s staff provided sugarcane and brown sugar candies for the Marines to taste.
“I never knew you could actually cut it up and eat it this way. It’s very sweet and tasty,” said Lance Cpl. John Graczkowski, who recently arrived in Okinawa. “It was actually my first time off base seeing Okinawa. I’m glad to do something to help out the people here and experience something new. I’ll always remember this whenever I see a sugarcane field.”
“Despite the rain and hard labor, the work was more enjoyable for us with the Marines joining us,” said Yasuhiko Yoza, a Reimeino Sato resident. “It was a job well done.”
Camp Kinser helps local homeless get back on their feet
Kaori Tanahara
Inspired by the humanitarian spirit of one local non-profit organization, Camp Kinser has been giving a helping hand to Okinawa’s homeless for more than a year.
As a part of its community relations effort, Camp Kinser regularly donates food and clothes to the Promise Keepers, an Urasoe City-based non-profit organization which provides local homeless people food, shelter and rehabilitation programs, according to David Evans, deputy commander, Camp Kinser.
Once or twice each week, the NPO goes aboard Camp Kinser to collect donations from the commissary. Donations include bread, snack foods, candies, bottled water and soft drinks that either have limited shelf-life or are excess stock.
Individuals and families, especially those who are about to leave Okinawa, also donate non-perishable food and clothes.
Promise Keepers has been collecting food and clothing for local homeless individuals since 2000, according to Shoryo Yamauchi, a group spokesperson.
“Donations from Camp Kinser average about three tons a month and comprise about 70 percent of all the food we provide for the homeless,” he said. Other donations come from local businesses, churches, and individuals, according to Yamauchi.
Donated food and drinks are first provided to about 55 homeless persons who live temporarily at the organization’s shelter. The remaining items are taken to seven different public parks, including Naha’s Yogi Park, where NPO volunteers feed an average of 300 homeless people every weekend.
Camp Kinser’s first donation was in October 2006. That was one month after Yamauchi met Evans at an annual charity concert the Promise Keepers hosts at Yogi Park to support the homeless and raise awareness of their plight among Okinawans.
There, Yamauchi told Evans about the organization and its goals.
When Evans learned that the NPO was in constant need of donations, he sought to get the entire camp involved.
“Our camp has always tried to help our community and our neighbors,” said Evans. “I thought this was a good opportunity to help out the Okinawan community and build on our relationship
to make it even stronger.”
Evans first talked to Col. Paul Greenwood, the camp commander at the time, about the NPO. Greenwood agreed that the organization was one the base should support. After that, Evans appealed to the camp’s tenant agencies. “All have been very supportive of donating to the
organization,” he said.
Yamauchi said the number of the homeless on Okinawa increases each year. “We sometimes have difficulty getting new supporters,“ he said. “We really appreciate the camp leadership’s understanding and quick responses to our requests.”
“Many who participate in our program get back on their feet,” said Yamauchi. “One piece of bread can turn around a person’s life,” he added. The people we feed all know where their food comes from and that the Marine Corps on Okinawa is reaching out to them.”
Marines learn Okinawa culture, post-war history
Public Affairs Office
To help educate U. S. service members on Okinawan culture and history, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Okinawa Office presented an insightful lecture to more than 100 Marines of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at the unit’s Lance Corporal Seminar on Camp Foster Feb. 8.
The visit resulted from an idea by the Cooperative Working Team for the Prevention of Incidents and Accidents by U.S. Military Personnel and Constituents, a council comprised of officials representing the U. S., Japanese and Okinawa governments as well as the U.S. military services on Okinawa. The council’s goal for the brief was to help Marines understand the fragile and sensitive nature of their presence in Okinawa.
It was the third time this year the brief had been presented to U.S. service members. In January it was given to the 4th Marine Regiment at Camp Schwab and to the Army’s 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Kadena Air Base.
Two Okinawan guest speakers, Hatsumi Kinjo, Okinawa’s leading court interpreter, and Kazuhiko Nakamoto, an archivist with the Archival Department of the Okinawa Prefectural Foundation for Culture, spoke on topics covering indigenous culture, customs and post-World War II history of the U. S.-Okinawa relationship.
Additionally, Takashi Ariyoshi, principal deputy director, Status of Forces Agreement Division, MOFA, gave an overview of the bilateral agreement. Ariyoshi was visiting Okinawa from Tokyo and took advantage of the opportunity to talk to the Marines.
Based on his own experiences living in the U. S. for 12 years as a field representative of the Okinawa Prefectural Archives and attending the University of Maryland, Nakamoto lectured on the importance of learning the local history to understand how people think and behave and overcoming cultural obstacles.
"I don't think living in the States alone helped me understand American society," Nakamato said. "But knowing more about the country’s history certainly helped me understand why American people act certain ways in certain situations."
Having attended Japanese criminal prosecutions as an interpreter for U. S. service members, Kinjo, who spoke about culture and SOFA, said that knowing simple facts about local customs could have helped service members avoid some of the incidents they were involved. “I hope this brief will raise their understanding of local customs so as to benefit both them and Okinawans,” she said.
Judging by the response of Lance Cpl. Alre Palms, the class was successful. Palms said he learned a lot about Okinawa history and customs that he never knew before the class and feels every Marine on island should attend.
“The class was very informative,” Palms said “The simple fact is that it gives you a better understanding of the people here, and it helps you build a better relationship with them.”
Pfc. Desiree Marquez said after the class that every service member should take it upon themselves to watch their own actions as well as the actions of their peers. “Everyone needs to respect the island and the customs of the people living here,” she said.
Hideaki Kuramitsu, Deputy Chief of the MOFA Okinawa Office, said he looks forward to working with military officials to offer the class to other units. “Ideally,” he said, “we will be able to give the class to all servicemembers.”
Ryukyu Festival celebrates Okinawan culture
Lance Cpl. Aaron Hostutler
Okinawa’s numerous festivals throughout the year offer Americans opportunities to get a close look at Okinawa’s unique culture.
To promote understanding of Okinawa’s rich and diverse culture amongst its students and faculty, Bechtel Elementary School, located at Camp McTureous, hosts its own festival each year: the Ryukyu Festival.
Nearly 1,000 Bechtel students and faculty celebrated the 19th Annual Ryukyu Festival at the school's gym March 20. This year’s celebration featured demonstrations of karate, Taiko drumming and sumo.
The idea for the festival was born in 1990 when Elaine Miyazato, a former Bechtel teacher, with help from other faculty and staff, contacted numerous Okinawan organizations and schools to see if they would come to Bechtel to share their music, martial arts, dance, and art, according to Barbara Lambert, a Ryukyu Festival chairperson for the school.
"The festival provides an opportunity for our students to experience some of those aspects of the Okinawan culture," she said.
Three local groups showcased this year’s festival, which opened with Bechtel's very own Eisa drummers.
They were followed by the Shoheiryu Okinawa Karate Association, led by Sakae Uechi, a 5th-degree black belt, demonstrating several katas, or combinations of positions and movements performed as exercise.
Uechi also demonstrated body hardening, kicking and punching fellow practitioners as they coolly endured the blows. He then invited children from the crowd to take their best shots at shaking his demonstrators.
"Karate is good for health and safety, and it also teaches you patience and effort," said Uechi.
The Gushikawa Kasshin Daiko drumming group took the stage after Uechi's group, filling the gymnasium with a steady rhythmic beat.
Chubu Norin High School’s Sumo Team, the last group of the day, demonstrated sumo warm-up routines and techniques and gave a brief history of sumo wrestling. The wrestlers invited faculty members and students to try their skill in the sumo ring afterward.
The wrestlers put on a comical performance for the students, running away from them, pretending to be scared of them, and even throwing themselves out of the ring so that the children would win.
"The sumo wrestling was lots of fun," said 3rd grader Alex Ferguson. "I got to push one out of the ring even though he let me win."
Tomohisa Kizaki, coach of the sumo team, said that his team has been participating in Bechtel’s
cultural celebration for 15 years. “It’s a great opportunity for my students to perform in front of a large audience like this,” said Kizaki. “They enjoy interacting with Americans, which makes them realize the importance of cultural exchanges.”
Mina Ashimine, Bechtel culture teacher, said that everyone at the school looks forward to the festival each year, which has now become a school tradition.
“The entire school gets involved in keeping the tradition alive,” said Ashimine. “We make original T-shirts and sell them to cover the costs of the festival, such as transportation for the festival’s guest performers.”
Ashimine said the children learned in one day what it would take teachers days or weeks to teach in the classroom. “Feeling the tradition through live performances like we saw today is really important for the children. Their memories of it last forever.”
Karate teaches Marine family real-life Okinawan culture
Lance Cpl. David Rogers and Kaori Tanahara
Like many other U. S. service and family members on Okinawa, Gunnery Sgt. Jaimie Hamner and his family enjoy the island’s unique culture and spend their free time visiting popular attractions.
But unlike most others, Hamner and his family have also gained an insider’s view of the island’s
culture through one of its best known exports: karate.
“For me [karate] was the big step into Okinawan culture,” said Hamner, who has been training under Fusei Kise, a grand master of the Okinawa Shorinryu Kenshinkan (OSK) Karate Kobudo Federation. Hamner practices at the federation’s main dojo (school) in Okinawa City and at a satellite dojo on Camp Foster.
“My family and I love Okinawa. We like to go and see everything. But it’s all built around being tourists. What we get from karate is real-life culture.”
Hamner began studying under Kise 18 months ago, who has been teaching karate on military bases for more than four decades. Due to his intense training, Hamner earned a black belt in Shorinryu, a type of karate which focuses on self defense from a natural stance, after only 15 months.
“Our grand masters don’t just teach self-defense and martial arts,” Hamner said. “They’re very
adamant about making sure you understand their customs, their culture, their history, where this came from, and all the grand masters before grand master Kise.”
During his first tour in Okinawa, from 1992-1995 as a clarinet player with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Hamner heard much about Kise. Though he wanted to begin training
with him, Hamner’s schedule with the band wouldn’t allow him to dedicate the time he wanted to
give to the effort.
In Oct. of 2005, Hamner and his wife, Staff Sgt. Deborah Hamner, along with their two daughters, returned to Okinawa. Learning that Kise was still teaching on base, Hamner, now an instrument repair technician with the band, enrolled his 8-year-old daughter Danielle at a youth class Kise teaches on Camp Foster.
In Sept. 2006, Hammer finally began his own training. He practices daily, and on weekends he sometimes attends multiple sessions a day with Kise.
After Hamner started taking karate classes, the fever spread to another daughter Nicole, 5, and his wife, who is the enlisted conductor for the III MEF Band. Nicole goes to the same class as her sister, Danielle. Deborah enrolled herself in an adult class.
Hamner said that while he and his family have become more self-disciplined as a result of their training, he has gained something even more valuable.
“Inner peace is the most important thing I’ve gained from karate,” Hamner said. “It keeps me very focused, but relaxed. I definitely don’t lose my cool as much as I used to. Grand Master is always telling us to take it easy.”
Over time, Hamner also learned that much of his love of karate stems from the culture and attitude of the Okinawan people.
“They are such a peaceful people,” Hamner said. “They’ll give you the shirts off their back. They’re very respectful. That’s just how they’ve been over the years and they pass it down. They have a sense of emotional stability and friendliness you don’t find in other parts of the world.”
Hamner plans to set up his own dojo when he transfers to his next duty station at Parris Island, South Carolina later this year. There, he hopes to pass down Kise’s teachings to the local children. For now, he serves as an assistant instructor during Kise’s on-base classes.
“(Hamner) has been committed to training himself hard and also teaching the children,” Kise said. “With his devotion and understanding of karate, he will do well if he opens up his own dojo in the states.”
Kise said he has had many service members open up dojos in the states. A lot of them return to continue their training at his dojo.
“I think it’s great that they promote Okinawan karate in the United States,” Kise said. “They represent the Okinawan culture and spirit well. And by doing that, they are helping to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the karate they learned here at its birthplace.”
2008-03-29
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