Okinawa articles
Okinawa local-knowledge articles — history, food and place names, with sources. Prep for "Okinawa Expert Quiz".
- Okinawa's Performing Arts and CraftsEisa, the sanshin, kumi odori, bingata, Tsuboya ware and shisa. A gentle look at Okinawa's signature performing arts and crafts.
- A Primer on Okinawan FoodGoya chanpuru, Okinawa soba, rafute, umibudo, awamori, sata andagi and taco rice. Okinawa's signature dishes and drinks, with their origins.
- Okinawa's Hard-to-Read Place NamesChatan, Nakijin, Iriomote, Bin. Okinawa has many baffling place names. Here are the readings and origins of its trickiest ones.
- A Primer on the History of the Ryukyu KingdomThe rival Three Kingdoms, Sho Hashi's unification, the Second Sho dynasty, the Satsuma invasion, and the Ryukyu Disposition—a gentle guide.
- Okinawa's World Heritage (Gusuku)Listed in 2000, the World Heritage "Gusuku Sites of the Kingdom of Ryukyu" has 9 components. Here are their locations and highlights.
- Okinawa's Nature and WildlifeThe Yanbaru forest, Iriomote's mangroves, the Iriomote cat and Okinawa rail, the dugong and coral reefs. Okinawa's World Heritage nature.
- What is a "Shimanchu"? Uchinanchu & Yamatunchu"Shimanchu" (island person) means an Okinawan. Its near-synonym "Uchinanchu," the contrasting "Yamatunchu" (mainlander), and the spellings.