Haisai, gusuuyoo.
I hope everyone is safe and doing well.
I teamed up with Nami Oshiro, a fantastic Shimanchu American artist based in Virginia, to create the first three items in an ongoing effort to raise funds for independent Shimakutuba practitioners and projects.
Many Shimanchu creators and educators are doing the work on their own time and out of their own pockets, so I'm hoping that this (and future fundraisers) can be a small show of support and gratitude.
This 3" sticker, 2.25" button, and 1.25" acrylic pin set features a Ramones logo-inspired design with an open-mouth shiisaa symbolizing the sharing of good things, i.e. our indigenous languages. There are several distinct languages throughout the Ryūkyū Islands (all of which are endangered), so we decided to go with the six regions recognized by UNESCO: Amami, Kunjan (Kunigami), Uchinaa (Okinawa), Myaaku (Miyako), Yaima (Yaeyama), Dunan (Yonaguni).
Please visit the Ko‑fi shop today! All proceeds (minus item production costs and shipping fees) will be donated to individuals/groups and I'll post receipts once the donations are made.
P.S. I'm still selling items through the Shimanchu Dushi-nu-chaa Online Sale, if you're interested in combining shipping.
Uchinanchu is a term used to refer to people from the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, and refers to people who share Okinawa's traditions, culture, and history.
Okinawa Prefecture is located in the south of Japan and has its own culture, language, and traditions. The term Uchinanchu is used by Okinawan people to express their identity.
Okinawa's culture has been influenced by historical elements from the Ryukyu Kingdom era and interactions with other cultures such as China, Japan, and America.
Okinawan traditional dance, music, traditional crafts, and cuisine are known to represent the Uchinanchu identity and cultural heritage.
It is also noteworthy that Okinawa was the site of a fierce battle during World War II, and that there are many US military bases in Okinawa. These factors have influenced Uchinanchu culture and history.
The Uchinanchu community has spread not only within Okinawa Prefecture, but also throughout Japan and around the world. They value their roots and culture and aim to thrive in modern society while preserving their traditions.
conceptualized and recorded remotely in California and Minnesota during the pandemic, yana-imi and Micah Chibana's "imi ru yataru | just a dream" EP consists of one original song from each artist and a collaborative cover of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion." both original songs draw influence from the artists' shared cultural heritage and incorporate a traditional Ryūkyūan/Okinawan instrument called sanshin.
🔃 SHUFFLE PLAY 🔃
Weekly random selection of one traditional song and one modern song
A couple of songs for the soul after yet another unthinkable tragedy and the U.S. government continuing to willfully disregard our safety.
🎶 "Sanyama Bushi" (traditional) 🎶
Rendition by Shinjin Kise
Full translation below
🎶 "Warabigami" 🎶
Misako Koja
Translation excerpt below
Misako Koja's "Warabigami," written in 1997 affer the birth of her first grandchild, hits differently in this context. The first time I heard a mournful rendition of the song was when she performed it at a June 19, 2016 protest rally (attended by tens of thousands of Shimanchu and allies) following the murder of 20-year-old Rina Shimabukuro by American civilian contractor and ex-U.S. Marine Kenneth Franklin Gadson. Surely, Koja never imagined having to sing the song under such circumstances.
⤵️ Some translations below ⤵️
(by no means am I an expert, so apologies in advance for any mistakes!)
---
🎶 SANYAMA BUSHI 🎶
Translation from "Nufani: English Translation of Kumiodori and Okinawan Poetry," Naganori Komine:
"I can't believe it's real!
I'm at quite a loss.
It's like the daze that comes
Just after a nightmare."
---
🎶 WARABIGAMI 🎶
Translation excerpt from karakui.wordpress.com:
"Though stormy winds may blow
As you go through this world
I will shelter you from the storm,
so you may bloom like a flower
Irayo hei, irayo hoi, irayo,
My dearest child,
Don't you cry, heiyo heiyo,
May the heavens shine on you
Be a good human being,
heiyo, heiyo,
To lead a worthy life"
Happy Moment need to be preserved anytime 🥰❤️ Birthday dinner for our son ❤️❤️ My baby !!! 何歳になってもベイビー と呼び続ける母😊 ハッピーな時は永遠に 保存する💓 息子の誕生日ディナー🎉 #親バカ #ハリウッド #メルローズ #losangeles #bitthdaydinner #lovemykids #ウチナーンチュ (at Zinqué) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWZhUI0puwg/?utm_medium=tumblr