Hello everyone!
So I am half Okinawan but, having lived here in America my whole life and not having any other Okinawans around me when growing up, I've never had the chance to ever participate in my own culture so ashamedly I really don't know much about the history or culture of Okinawa besides the obvious bits. So I was wondering if anyone could help me find some good books about Okinawa History or Culture so hopefully learn more as I prepare to make the trip out to Okinawa myself to learn more about my heritage?
Preferrably I'd like the books to be written by other Okinawans or at the very least, by someone who has an anti-imperialist/anti-colonial perspective so I'm not consuming too much biased information but I understand that there's probably not a whole lot thats available in english when it comes to in-depth history regarding the Ryukyu Kingdom so I'll take anything I can get! I'm familiar with "Okinawa: The History of an Island People" by George H. Kerr (hell its like the only book that shows up when you google Okinawa history books lol) but I know that book is pretty outdated and has a few of its own issues.
I know there's not gonna be a whole lot in English and the best way to get a better scope is by either learning Japanese or actually going to Okinawa. I'm doing my best to learn Japanese at least so I can start looking for resources in that direction and I do plan on making a big trip out to Okinawa whenever its financially possible but it's all a slow process of course lol. So with all that being said, I'll take literally anything anyone can give me! Or even just some general tips on what I can do to learn more about my culture and heritage are greatly appreciated!
Thank you everyone!
by Rockdapanda2096
7 comments
Comment to find out myself
the first book I ever read that made me realize the distinction between okinawan & japanese was ‘girl with the white flag,’ by tomiko higa. not a true history book, but it is an autobiographical account of a young girl’s experience during the battle of okinawa.
another book I read recently that might not be what you’re looking for, but given the likely scarcity of what you’re looking for; I recently read ‘speak, okinawa,’ an autobiography of a young woman growing up half-okinawan in america. not historical, but still a great read. very therapeutic for me.
I really liked:
— Islands of Discontent: Okinawan Responses to Japanese and American Power, edited by Laura Hein
— And this manga book on Okinawa:
https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/okinawa?srsltid=AfmBOopOyW5Zughu9O9jkawQL1zaX79VjdKp_SA15mTlJTd0qx2YZsbY
https://www.reddit.com/r/okinawa/s/KYoumXrmSn
Check out Above the east China Sea by sarah bird. Its one of my favorites
There’s a good summary here on [Reddit Answers](https://www.reddit.com/answers/3F495187-7634-4928-BC47-6930BC11EAE1/?q=books%20on%20Okinawan%20history&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1).
The latest English language history of the Ryukyus, written by someone who can read the original texts of the famous Okinawan sage Sai On, one of the Council of Three that served the king of Chuzan (Chuzan is the official name of the Ryukyu Kingdom):
The Ryukyu Islands: A New History from the Stone Age to the Present
https://amzn.asia/d/0aLEGbc1
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