In just about every recent anime series, it seems there’s a beach-centric episode in which the characters visit some “south seas island” where viewers are treated to plenty of fan service involving females in skimpy swimsuits. Well, it’s time for such an episode in my life, and I’m writing this update from sunny Okinawa! Also known as the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture, which was an independent island nation until it was annexed in 1609. The history of the islands is long and varied, and a very sad chapter occurred during the bloody battle for the islands during World War II, which saw the deaths of 90,000 Japanese soldiers and 150,000 Okinawan civilians. Because of its special status as a U.S. possession from 1945 through 1972 and its current hosting of most of the the U.S. military stationed in Japan, Okinawa acts as a unique cultural bridge between the two countries. While we’re here, we’ll get in some quality relaxing-by-the-beach time, do some whale watching and take in beautiful Shuri Castle. And I’ll probably annoy everyone by making Karate Kid references left and right.
Okinawa is unique among Japan’s 47 prefectures in that it’s got its own separate culture and language that’s notably different from the mainland. While pretending that they’re a completely homogenous, unified people despite the many differences from individual to individual is almost a national pastime in Japan proper, no one can pretend that Okinawans are cut from the same cloth as everyone else, which ends up being quite refreshing in a way. Every time I’ve met a Japanese who seemed “different” — they spoke their mind more than most people, they’ve lived abroad or speak exotic languages — it turns out they’re from this part of the world. Okinawa serves Japan’s more boring, white-bread culture the same way black music culture or (dare I say it?) Japanese animation provides an alternative choice for mainstream America, and dozens of Japan’s most famous singers hail from the islands, including the red hot Amuro Namie (iTunes link), who has brought the world such tunes as “Body Feels EXIT” and “Chase the Chance.” As a result of these big-name successes, Okinawa has many “talent schools” teaching voice training, dancing and other skills to the next generation of JPOP stars.
