Wednesday, May 8, 2013

A wonderful place, Okinawa  5 : history and culture



A lion dance of Okinawa


< A lion dance of Okinawa

This time, I introduce the history of Okinawa and the culture.
We can know Okinawa that played an active part in marine trade once.

Although the lion mask of the photo resembles the thing of Japan's mainland, the body is not a cloth like curtain and is the style (lion dance of the Nanjing town) of China.

今回は、沖縄の歴史と文化を見ます。
そこから、かつて海上交易で活躍した栄光が浮かびあがります。

写真の獅子頭は日本本土のものと似ていますが、胴体は幕でなく中国風(南京街の獅子舞)です。


woman dance of Ryukyu dance, Eisa, and Sanshin 


< woman dance of Ryukyu dance, Eisa, and Sanshin >

This woman dance is the bravestdance, and the brilliant kimono was made by a traditional dyeing technique (Bingata) of Okinawa.
The forceful Eisa that is danced with striking a drum was danced at Bon time of summer.
This started with the spread of Nenbutsu folk dances of Buddhism that came from Japan's mainland.
Speaking of musical instrument of Okinawa, it will be Sanshin, but the origin is stringed instrument of Fujian, China.
Because, Ryukyuold dynasty in Okinawatraded through Fujian with China.



この女踊りは最も華やかな舞で、鮮やかな着物は沖縄の染め技法(紅型)によります。
太鼓を叩きながら力強く舞うエイサーは、夏の盆に踊られます。
これは本土から来た念仏宗の広がりと共に始まった。
沖縄の楽器と言えば三線(さんしん)ですが、その起源は中国福建省の弦楽器です。
なぜなら琉球は福建省を通じて交易(朝貢)していたからです。


Shuri castle, main hall 


< Shuri castle, main hall >

This became the Ryukyu king's castle from the 15th century.
The castle and many of things in Okinawa disappeared by the Pacific War.
It is the maximum and only was rebuilt in Okinawa.
This king's palace is colored in bright vermilion, and many China styles are adopted.

これは15世紀より琉球王の居城となった。
この城と沖縄の多くが太平洋戦争で消失した。
それは沖縄で最大、唯一の再建された城です。
この王宮殿は鮮やかな朱で彩られ、中国様式が多く取り入れられている。


Shuri castle: a gate、castellated wall、a throne


< Shuri castle: a gatecastellated walla throne >

Shuri Castle has neither towers nor clay walls on the stone wall like the castle in Japan’s mainland.
It is resembled Hwaseong Fortress of Suwon in South Korea, then is the style of China.

首里城は、本土の城のように城壁の石垣の上に櫓や塀がない。
韓国の水原華城に似ており、中国風と言えます。


the remains of Nakijin Castle 


<  the remains of Nakijin Castle >

This castle (gusuku) in northern part of main Okinawa island is typical of mountain castle, and built about the 13th century.
That time was about 200 years before the age of provincial wars of Japan's mainland.


本島北部にあるこの城(グスク)は代表的な山城で、それは戦国時代よりも2百年古い13世紀頃に築城された。


an old folk house, a warehouse, a small shrine(Utaki)


< an old folk house, a warehouse, a small shrine(Utaki) > 

These are saved in a park and might been not seen actually in main Okinawa island.
The roof of red tile and white mortar have been a little in the country.
Small shrines that I saw at Daisekirin mountainwas very simple.

The old culture (language, clay pot, religious faith) of Okinawa was integral with Japan.
However, from 600 years ago, Okinawa became to have relation deeply with China as an independent country.
At that time, it became a maritime state that had traded with Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.
From Edo Period, the rule of Japan in Okinawa progressed, and U.S. ruled it after World War II.
Finally, Okinawa has returned to Japan and had continued to be influenced by mighty nation.



Next time, it becomes the last. We look at people and life of Okinawa.



これらは公園に保存されているもので、沖縄本島では現実に見ることはなかった。
赤い瓦と白い漆喰の屋根は田舎に少し残ってはいた。
大石林山で見た物は、非常に簡単なものでした。

沖縄の古い文化(言語、土器、信仰)は、日本と一体でした。
しかし600年前頃より、独立国として中国と深く関わりを持つようになります。
この時期、日本と中国、東南アジアを股に掛ける海洋国家になっていった。
江戸時代以降、日本の支配が進み、戦後は米国が支配し、また日本への復帰と、大国に翻弄された。

次回は、最後になります。沖縄の生活や人々に触れます。


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