Ryoso, Okinawan costume with bingata

Okinawa Champru (Mix)

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June 10th 2014
Okinawa is an interesting champru (Okinawan language) of cultures. For 450 years it was an independent sea trading state called the Ryukyu Kingdom, with a royal family. I teach a “13th from the throne” princess. In 1879 the Meiji Government annexed Okinawa to Japan, and after WW2 it was under American military rule for 27 years. There is an amazing mix of “much beautiful nature” and ... read more

Asia » Japan » Okinawa » Okinawa Honto

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more