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'Biyahe ni Drew' explores the rich history of Okinawa
We have all been dreaming of witnessing the sunrise in the “Land of the Rising Sun” that is Japan! Globally acclaimed and known for being disciplined, hardworking, and honest—Japan is unquestionably one of the countries you would want to visit at least once in your lifetime.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city life, Japanese people or Nihonjins always innovate but never drift away from their rich traditional and cultural way of living.
“Biyahe Ni Drew” goes to Okinawa!
More than 600 years ago, in the northern part of Okinawa, lies Hokuzan kingdom, the biggest among the three kingdoms and the only one allowed to trade with China. Meanwhile, Chuzan and Nanzan kingdoms reign in the middle and southern part of Okinawa, respectively.
Being the great diplomat and warrior that King Sho Hashi of Chuzan kingdom is, he defeated and conquered the two other kingdoms and later ruled the entire Okinawa.
The 11th Century of Okinawa is called the “Gusuku period” or “Castle period” because numerous castles were built in different parts of the country.
One of which is the Nanjikin Castle built during 1200s. It sheltered Hokuzan's King, who rules the Northern part of Okinawa. To date, only the castle walls are left after the Japanese conquered Ryuku Islands or Okinawa. Yes, Biyaheros, you read it right! Okinawa was not originally a part of Japan.
The small passage or gate to enter the Nanjikin castle is evidently the most secured area of the castle. It is also here where the bloody battle between the kings of Hokuzan and Chuzan took place. It resembles Intramuros in the context that it served as the center of sovereignty.
Sacred place like the “Utaki” is found inside this castle. It is like the “Uchibaru” ground where the living quarters of the court used to stand--which is believed as the most sacred place inside the kingdom.
“Gusuku” or Main Fortress where the king lives was also built inside the said kingdom before. Tourists also frequent the place to have a nice glimpse of the East China Sea, while the locals go here because of its sanctity, believing that the fortress is a place of worship.
Of castles and royalties
Biyaheros, you should not miss the Shuri Castle while you are in Okinawa. Aside from giving life to the rich history of Okinawa prefecture, it was built during the Sho Dynasty, under the rule of King Sho Hashi, the one who conquered the two other kingdoms of Okinawa and later ruled the entire country.
Under the supremacy of Sho Hashi, the trading system flourished between Okinawa and countries like China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Siam, Sumatra, and others. Because of Okinawans’ excellence and honesty, Okinawa was tagged as the "Country of Courtesy."
"Kaya naman mas dagsa and mga turistang bumibisita sa kastilyong ito," Idol Drew Arellano added.
The Shuri castle has layers of gates since security of the royalty was of utmost priority. Each gate was said to be built in different phases. Essentially, the innermost passage was built the oldest and progresses as you trace the outer gate.
The first gate called Shureimon is the “shurei no kuni” or “the land of propriety.” While the Kankaimon gate was built for the castle's visitors like the "Saposshi" or the Chinese investors’ envoys. It is followed by the Zuseinmon gate which means "a splendid and auspicious spring" because of the well across it.
“At bago makarating sa mismong Shuri Castle, dadaan ka sa Houshinmon gate—ang huling gate leading to the “una” or “plaza.”
Drew says, “So isipin n’yo mga Biyahero, for 450 years, separated yung Okinawa from Japan tapos ito ‘yung kanilang kaharian.”
Like others castle, the lookout tower is called "Iri-No Azana." Naha City is vividly visible from there and the other neighboring islands.
Kings are not the only ones who can live in a castle. In Katsuren castle, one "Aji" or local lord, who ruled the people, lived. Amawari is the tenth and last "Aji" of Katsuren Castle, the oldest castle in Okinawa.
Okinawa World Theme Park
Drew also visited Okinawa World, a different kind of theme park. Instead of rides and amusement, tourists flock here to experience Okinawa’s culture.
You can dress up as king and actually buy from the wide array of kimonos. Okinawa also boasts of its handmade glass products, which tourists can also buy. If you are creative enough, you can try making some if you join the workshops.
Drew adds, “Masasabi ko lang magaling yung sistema nila para sa mga turista, step by step process.”
After making his own glass, Drew also visits one local beer café to taste the Okinawa craft beer called the Nihede beer. Nihede is said to come from the expression “nihei debiru” which means “thank you.”
For the first time, Okinawa’s craft beer bagged the silver prize during the World Beer Cup last 2006.
After trying out their craft beer, Drew went to a cave inside the theme park and noted the following, “This might not be the biggest cave na sinubukan natin dito sa BND, but one thing is for sure, ito siguro yung pinakamalinis, protektado and at the same time modern.
“Why? Ginawa nila para di mahawakan o maprotektahan ‘yung stalactites at stalagmites ay gumawa sila ng man-made walkway.”
This cave existed for 300,000 years now and was only discovered during the American colonization. It is also one of the biggest cave systems in Japan with its whopping length of 5,000 meters. Moreover, it contains the most number of stalactites.
To fully experience Okinawa’s culture, Drew also tried to drum the beat to a Buddhist prayer dance called Eisa Dance. The prayer dance is meant to send off the spirits of the dead. Drummers ought to dance as they play the instrument.
Three kinds of drums are used for Eisa dance: “Ufu-Deeku” is the biggest; a small laced drum called “Shime-Deeku”; and the thinnest among the drums called “Paaranku.”
In Yotsuktake, there's a restaurant where you can dine and watch an Eisa Dance. Locals and tourists can also witness the dance during the Lunar Obon Festival held every 15th of July. It is a three-day holiday solely dedicated for the Okinawan’s demised loved ones.
Okinawans and their tidy public market
To thoroughly understand the way of living in Okinawa, Drew probes into the lives of the common people like the farmers and also visits Mikishi public market.
Drew visits Nakamura’s house that resembles a house of a rich farmer or a haciendero. In here, Drew finds “Takakura” of a high storage for all farming equipment and harvest. The house itself is composed of eight rooms: dining room, kitchen, and “uruza” or bedroom.
At the right side of the house stands the “ashagi” or annex which consists of two big rooms for the male child or for an important guest.
Drew muses, “Simple at gawa sa kahoy ang buong bahay pero kapansin-pansin ang Okinawa traditional red tiles na ginamit sa bubong nito. Ito raw ay simbolo ng katayuan ng pamilya sa lipunan.”
At the Mikishi public market, Drew marvels at how clean the Okinawans and their market place are. Just like the “dampa” in the Philippines, you can order seafood and all sorts of raw meat and vegetables in the market and have it cooked by their partner restaurant.
One of the restaurant's’ best-sellers is the seafood sashimi boat which consists of tuna, salmon, swordfish, parrot fish, squid, and octopus. Biyaheros, for around Y2,000-4,000 you can have a blast of flavors as you feast on fresh seafood.
Drew ends his Okinawa trip with thoughts to ponder: “Para makilala ang isang tao o lugar, mabuti raw na alamin mo ang kanilang nakaraan. Dahil ang kanilang karanasan at mga pinagdaanan ang humubog sa kanila. Ang mga naiwang bakas ng lumipas na panahon ay simbolo ng katapangan at pagpupursigi ng ating mga ninuno. Ang mga bagay na ito ay magsisilbing paalala at gabay sa ating hinaharap.”
Take it from the expert, mga Biyaheros! So, never miss the chance to get to know the rich culture of Okinawa should you decide to go there in the future!
Sayonara!---Mamie Clemente/BMS, GMA Public Affairs
