火曜日, 11月 21, 2006

The history of Okinawa



Okinawa’s history is rich and varied. Researchers can trace the presence of villagers in the Ryukyu Islands back to 2000 BC. From all records, Okinawa and its outlying islands grew reasonably peacefully through the first millennium AD. By the twelfth century, substantial governments in the Ryukyu prefecture began to spring forth, followed closely by the influence of trading ships. The period from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries is called “ancient Okinawa” and refers to a time of frequent change and grown for the island chain. A haven for passing ships; Okinawa was visited frequently by cultures all over the Pacific, all of which had a hand in influencing the diverse culture that grew on the island. At that time, China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam all donated to the traditions still seen on the island. Countries battled most seriously for Okinawa in the Pre-modern period (16th to 18th centuries). China’s loss in the Chinese-Japanese war solidified Okinawa’s place under the Japanese government, and many Chinese traditions were quickly abandoned. Japan is most famously known for the major battles fought on its land during WWII. The island suffered catastrophic casualties during the war and most of the island is left as a monument to the battles that took place there. Although technically a province of Japan, many Okinawains (mostly older ones) do not consider themselves Japanese. The island is still occupied by military forces, so control of the island was surrendered to the Japanese nearly 40 years ago. Today, Okinawa preserves some of the oldest traditions of the Japanese culture.


Source: http://www.okinawan-shorinryu.com/okinawa/history.html

Comments:
I have been to Okinawa only once. It's beautiful and culture is unique. Do you know a gate dog called "Shisa"?
 
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