Okinawa – The Southern Tip of Japan
Okinawa in ancient times was known as the Ryukyu Islands. Around the 10th century, the Ryukyu area was populated with many tribal groups who battled long against each other, before it was unified and named the Ryukyu Kingdom in the 15th century. Ryukyu Kingdom and China had close ties and prospered through transit trades with Southeast Asia and Japan.
In the early 17th century, Satsuma invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom. Trade relations and close bilateral ties between Ryukyu Kingdom and China were still maintained, and with the rule of Satsuma, the kingdom entered an era of two genera. Only in the 19th century did the Meiji government officially change the name of the area from Ryukyu to Okinawa.
World War II then saw Okinawa as the main battle ground in Japan. The war came under the U.S. military’s control for as long as 27 years, before Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972. With a history of power struggles, domination and cultural influences, there in emerged a unique local Okinawa culture, which is also known as Ryukyu culture : the fusion of the Japanese culture, together with cultural influences from China and the United States.
Historical Monuments
Okinawa has a long history, with a rich number of well-preserved historical sites.
Shuri Castle
Shuri is the main city of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Within it lies the historical Shuri Castle, the Shureimon gate, Sunuhyan-utaki, and the royal mausoleum Tamaudun. Shuri Castle, the home city of the Ryukyu Kingdom, according to records, was built after the unification of Ryukyu by the first ruler. The second ruler of the kingdom then expanded the grounds during his rule. Much of Shuri Castle was burned and destroyed in the battle of Okinawa during World War II. It was restored and opened to public in 1992, and in 2000 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shikina Park
Shikina Park was the largest royal garden and villa during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. The park served as a place for the royal family to recuperate, as well as a reception ground for when Chinese official dignitaries came to visit. The park is a migratory courtyard surrounding a pond, and is a good place to soak in the beautiful surroundings. Shikina Park is also registered as a distinct element of the collective UNESCO World Heritage site designated as “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
Sefa-Utaki
Sefa-Utaki is the most sacred ground of Okinawa and is a stage to one of the seven mythologies about Ryukyu and its origins. During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, an inaugural ceremony would be held for the kingdom’s newly elected highest female official during the Lunar New Year in February and April, and the King would also grace the event. The ground is now also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Traditional Celebrations and Activities
Throughout the year, there will be celebrations, ancient rituals, festivals, sporting events and music festivals taking place across Okinawa islands. Almost every month of the year, various celebrations and activities are staged in an uninterrupted manner one after another.
Like the Okinawa island-wide Eisa folk dance gathering, held around mid-July of the Lunar calendar, it is a celebration and dance to ward off illness and to make prayers for the safety of everyone. During this festival, Eisa dancers would wear various costumes according to their local tradition and parade the streets in an orderly manner dancing and playing the drums. This lively performance and the coming together of various Ryukyu cultures is truly a sight to behold.
In addition, there’s also the Naha tug-of-war contest, which has its roots dated back to the 17th century and made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest tug-of-war event in the world in 1997. Using ropes of up to 200 meters long, the annual event attracts some 15,000 attendees. After the event, participants could bring the tug-of-war rope home as an amulet to ward off misfortunes.
Other activities such as the Naha Marathon, which is the largest marathon event in Japan, and the biggest rock music event in Okinawa – The Peaceful Love Rock Festival are some of the events held in different months of the year. No matter which month you’re visiting, you are sure to experience the charm and excitements that Okinawa has to offer.
Traditional arts and crafts
Okinawa’s traditional arts and craft scene is divided into various categories namely pottery, lacquerware, glassware and dyed fabrics. For example, there’s a special Okinawa pottery known as ‘Yachimun’ that was crafted in the 14th century, whilst under the influence of China, Korea, Southeast Asia and Japan.
Ryukyu Lacquerware is one of the chief artistic products of the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Mainly used as tribute to the China’s Emperor and Shoguns of the Edo period, they come in many shapes and designs. During the same period, textile materials were also introduced in Okinawa and given as tributes to royalties; in particular, the use of red-coloured clothes was only for princely and aristocratic women or by court dancers.
After World War II, Okinawa developed the Ryukyu glass, which was made by recycling and processing waste glass bottle remains of the war. Today, these glassware are highly artistic in design and form.
日本国境以南冲绳OKINAWA
冲绳在古时候被称为“琉球群岛”。10世纪前后，琉球各地分布许多亲族集团，他们长期处于争斗纷乱，直到15世纪才得以统一，琉球王国因而诞生。琉球王国与中国有着密切往来，并透过与东南亚各地及日本本土的中转贸易而逐渐繁荣。
17世纪初日本萨摩藩入侵琉球，使琉球王国在与中国保持册封关系的同时，也受萨摩藩的统治，进入了两属时代。直到19世纪，明治政府废藩置县，并正式将琉球更名为“冲绳县”。
二战时期，冲绳沦为日本境内唯一的地面战场，战后长达27年间一直处在美军的管制之下，直到1972年才回归日本。在经历过各个势力的统治与文化熏陶，使当地孕育出独有的冲绳文化，或称琉球文化。它不仅带有日本文化色彩，其中也受到南岛、中国及美国的文化熏陶，使之成为日本国内一个独特文化。
历史古迹
冲绳群岛有着悠久的历史，也保存了不少历史遗迹：
首里城
首里是琉球王国时代的城邑，城区内保存了首里城、龙潭、元鉴池和王族陵墓的御陵等历史遗迹。其中首里城迹，曾是琉球王国的居城，据记载是由第一尚氏统一琉球后所建立的王城，并由第二尚氏真王将之扩建整修。在二战冲绳战役中，首里城一度被烧毁，如今所见是修复后的面貌，1992年正式对外开放参观，并于2000年被指定为世界文化遗产。
识名园为琉球王国时代最大的国王别墅，除了是王族一家的疗养之地外，也是他们接待中国册封使的场所。园内是一个洄游式的庭院，环行池岸，可欣赏四周不同的景色。识名园如今也被列为世界文化遗产。
斋场御岳
斋场御岳是冲绳的最高圣地，为琉球开辟神话中的七大开国御岳之一。在琉球王国时代，王国的最高女官“闻得大君”会在此举办上任仪式，每逢农历2月和4月，国王们就会亲自到此参拜。如今此处也被列为世界文化遗产。
传统庆典与活动
冲绳全年在各地都有举办各式各样的庆典活动，有古老的祭典、传统节庆，还有运动及音乐等各种节日活动，几乎全年12个月份都不间断地连续上演，热闹万分。
像是冲绳全岛太鼓舞大会，每逢农历盂兰盆节时，为祈求无病消灾和户户平安而举办的巡回表演舞蹈。届时，太鼓舞大会就会将冲绳全岛各地的太鼓舞聚集一堂以进行交流演出，场面十分浩大热闹。
此外，那霸拔河大赛是一项源自17世纪的传统活动，全长200公尺的拔河绳就使之记录在吉尼斯世界纪录的名册中。拔河大赛将由大约15000名市民及游客各分两边决一胜负。赛后，参与者还能将拔河绳带回家，作为去病消灾的护身符。
更多活动如日本国内最大规模的那霸马拉松、冲绳最大摇滚盛会——和平与爱摇滚音乐节等都于不同月份隆重上演。因此，不管什麽月份前往都有机会见识冲绳岛上的热情魅力。届时，太鼓舞大会就会将冲绳全岛各地的太鼓舞聚集一堂以进行交流演出，场面十分浩大热闹。
传统工艺
冲绳的传统工艺主要分为陶器、漆器、染织物及玻璃制品五大类。例如，有一种冲绳土陶称为“雅器睦”（Yachimun），为冲绳于14世纪后受中国、朝鲜、东南亚及日本本土的各种影响而发展出来的工艺品。
漆器，则是琉球王国时期的象征性工艺品，主要用以进贡给中国皇帝及江户幕府将军，其中有着许多各式各样的工艺技法。当时在冲绳各地流传的纺织物也是用以进奉王府的贡品，红型衣装就是其中之一，只允许当时的王侯、贵族妇女或作为宫廷舞者的服装来使用。
到了二战后，冲绳还研制出一种“琉球玻璃”，以战后人们废弃的玻璃瓶再利用及加工所制成的工艺品，如今还有许多极富艺术价值的作品问世。
