{"id":203,"date":"2020-05-15T14:59:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T05:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/?page_id=203"},"modified":"2020-08-17T13:14:15","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T04:14:15","slug":"column","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/column\/","title":{"rendered":"Column"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"inblock column\">\n<div class=\"link_menu\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#col1\"><span>Asian Countries and the Ryukyus were Connected by Trade Ties<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#col2\"><span>History &amp; Culture<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#col3\"><span>Industry<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#col4\"><span>Nature<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#col5\"><span>Peace<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inblock column_block\" id=\"col1\">\n<div class=\"colmun_title\">\n<h3><strong>Column1<\/strong> Asian Countries and the Ryukyus were Connected by Trade Ties<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Exchanges Begin with East Asia Trade<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-1.jpg\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>Although the exact timing is unclear, it is believed that the Kingdom of the Ryukyus began to trade and exchange with the nations of Southeast Asia in the latter half of the 14th century.<br \/>\n          China\u2019s Ming dynasty had banned trade in those years with those countries with which it had no diplomatic relations.<br \/>\n          Owing to its friendly ties with the dynasty, the Ryukyus was able to take on much of Ming\u2019s foreign commerce. Chinese goods were much in demand at the time.<br \/>\n          Ryukyuan traders sold those goods in Japan and around Southeast Asia, and conversely delivered those items they obtained in those places to the Chinese Emperor.<br \/>\n          It was thus in this form of intermediary trade that the Ryukyus began their exchanges with Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Ryukyuan Ships Voyaging to \u201cManaban\u201d<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-1-2.gif\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>Ryukyuan ships made the voyage to ports across Southeast Asia to carry out trade.<br \/>\n          The Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) topped the list of these ships\u2019 destinations, with other trade partners that included Malacca (Malaysia), Pattani (Thailand and Malaysia),<br \/>\n          Java (Indonesia),Palembang (Indonesia), Sumatra (Indonesia), Sunda (Indonesia),Annam (Vietnam) and so on. Malacca and some other regions also served as a gateway for the voyagers to trade with India,<br \/>\n           Arabia, and Europe. The Ryukyuans referred to these Southeast Asian regions collectively as \u201cManaban,\u201d and they worked to deepen their exchanges with them.<\/p>\n<h5>\uff1cAnnotation\uff1e<\/h5>\n<p>*Each region\u2019s names are cited from the document below.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">The Fruits of the Southeast Asia Trade for the Ryukyus<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-1-3.png\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>The Ryukyus\u2019 primary imports from Southeast Asia were pepper and other spices, and sappanwood, which was used as an ingredient in dyes and Chinese herbal medicines.<br \/>\n          These would often then be shipped to Ming China as tribute to the court or sold to mainland Japan and Korea. Ceramics produced in Ming China and Southeast Asia were also important trade goods.<br \/>\n          Representative works of pottery made in Thailand and Vietnam.(The picture is provided by Okinawa Prefectural Buried Cultural Property Center)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">An Enthusiasm for International Exchange was Cultivated by Trade with Southeast Asia<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"text_block all_block\">\n<p>With a history different from that of Japan, the Ryukyus prospered economically owing to these sorts of connections they forged with Southeast Asia.<br \/>\n          The islands flourished for a time as a center for intermediary trade in the region. They lost this advantage in the latter half of the 16th century, and moreover with the coming of the Age of Exploration their trade with Southeast Asia went into decline.<br \/>\n          Nonetheless, the interactions had gifted the Ryukyus with many things. Above all, the great interest in international exchange cultivated in that area still seems to be alive in the hearts and minds of Okinawans of today.<br \/>\n          Reference: TAKARA Kurayoshi and DANA Masayuki, eds.,Zusetsu: Ryukyu okoku [The Kingdom of the Ryukyus\u2014Illustrated.]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inblock column_block\" id=\"col2\">\n<div class=\"colmun_title\">\n<h3><strong>Column2<\/strong> History &#038; Culture<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"text_block\">\n<p>For roughly 450 years from the 15th to the 19th centuries, Okinawa was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, a highly prosperous base for trade among China, Japan and Southeast Asian nations.<br \/>\n        Ryukyuan culture, which developed independently with influences from other countries, lives on today in Okinawa\u2019s food, crafts and performing arts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_block block2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-2-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">\u2460Yachimun pottery carries on a tradition going back 400years<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-2-2.jpg\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">\u2461Traditional chinsukosweets<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Ryukyu Kingdom historic sites inscribed as UNESCO World Heritages<\/h4>\n<div class=\"text_block\">\n<p>The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, a total of nine sites including Shurijo Castle, were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 2000.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block center\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-2-3.jpg\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Eisa, richly influenced by each community<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1 \">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-2-4.jpg\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, a total of nine sites including Shurijo Castle, were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 2000.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inblock column_block\" id=\"col3\">\n<div class=\"colmun_title\">\n<h3><strong>Column3<\/strong> Industry<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"text_block\">\n<p>Okinawa Prefecture has a flourishing fishing industry that benefits from the bounty of the beautiful sea as well as agriculture that makes use of the temperate climate.<br \/>\n        These products are shipped throughout Okinawa and all around Japan. Okinawa has companies and universities that serve as centers for research and development, allowing people access to cutting-edge technologies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_block block2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-1.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">Wind turbine on Miyako Island<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-2.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">Okinawa Tracking and Communication Station (JAXA)<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Tourism supports the economy of Okinawa Prefecture<\/h4>\n<div class=\"img_block center\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-3.png\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"flex_block block3\">\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-4.png\"><\/p>\n<h5>Hotel Staff<\/h5>\n<p>        <span class=\"catch\">Wind turbine on Miyako Island<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-5.png\"><\/p>\n<h5>Aquatic Activity Staff<\/h5>\n<p>        <span class=\"catch\">Staff working on the beaches and helping with marine activities are on the front line making sure their guests are safe.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-3-6.png\"><\/p>\n<h5>Interpreters &#038; Tour Guides<\/h5>\n<p>        <span class=\"catch\">Interpreters and tour guides show visitors from Japan and other countries around tourist sites, presenting them in an interesting and enjoyable fashion.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inblock column_block\" id=\"col4\">\n<div class=\"colmun_title\">\n<h3><strong>Column4<\/strong> Nature<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-1.png\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>Colorful coral inhabit the beautiful waters, which are also some of the clearest anywhere in the world. In the forests of this subtropical oceanic climate, you can encounter precious flora and fauna that you would not be able to see in mainland Japan.<br \/>\n          National parks have been designated in the Yanbaru area (2016), which stretches over three villages Kunigami, Higashi and Ogimi in the northern region of the main island, the Kerama Islands (2014) and the Iriomote-Ishigaki area (1972).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Looking to have Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima Island, the Northern Part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island added to the UNESCO World Heritage List<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-2.gif\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>The Japanese government is seeking to have Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Yanbaru in the northern region of the Okinawa main island and Iriomote Island registered as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.<br \/>\n          Yanbaru has many rare species, including the Okinawa rail and Pryer\u2019s woodpecker, living in its dynamic forest with a rich diverse plant life. In addition, all seven species of mangroves native to Japan are distributed on Iriomote Island, and the indigenous Iriomote cat has been designated an endangered species.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"flex_block block3\">\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-3.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">Yanbaru forest with its diverse ecosystem<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-4.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">The Okinawa rail is a protected species in Japan which is only found in the northern region of the Okinawa main island<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block block center\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-5.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">It is estimated that there are only about 100 Iriomote cats still living<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Working to restore coral reefs<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-6.png\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block\">\n<p>Coral reefs are home to a variety of creatures. Of the approximately 400 species of coral in Japan, over 380 inhabit the seas around Okinawa.<br \/>\n          Reclamation of coastal waters and rise in ocean temperatures in recent years pose a serious threat to coral reefs. Projects are actively underway to preserve and regenerate coral through cultivation and other means.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mt5 img_block\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-4-7.png\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inblock column_block\" id=\"col5\">\n<div class=\"colmun_title\">\n<h3><strong>Column5<\/strong> Peace<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"text_block\">\n<p>During World War II roughly 70 years ago, so many people died in Okinawa Prefecture that one-fourth of its precious population was lost.<br \/>\n        Particularly in the southern region of the main island where the Japanese military was headquartered, fierce fighting embroiled local residents during the battle\u2019s final stages.<br \/>\n        Even today, many caves where people sought shelter from the fighting, memorial monuments as well as battle sites still remain. These are now used to teach people about peace.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_block block2\">\n<div class=\"img_block center block\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-5-1.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">The Okinawa Peace Hall, symbol of respect for the war dead<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"img_block center block\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-5-2.png\"><br \/>\n        <span class=\"catch\">Cave in which people took shelter to escape the ravages of war<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<h4 class=\"title_bar2\">Cornerstone of Peace Memorial on which 240,000 names are inscribed<\/h4>\n<div class=\"flex_block block1_2\">\n<div class=\"img_block block1\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/col-5-3.png\">\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"text_block block2\">\n<p>In the Peace Memorial Park plaza, a monument has been erected in a prayer for world peace and souls of the war dead. The names of the people who died during the Battle of Okinawa is inscribed on the Cornerstone of Peace Memorial, regardless of nationality or whether or not they were soldier or civilian.<br \/>\n          The number of people fallen during the war includes 149,425 from Okinawa Prefecture, 77,417 from other prefectures, and 14,572 from other countries (as of June 2016).<\/p>\n<div class=\"mt5\">Plaza where the Cornerstone of Peace Memorial stands<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Asian Countries and the Ryukyus were Connected by Trade Ties History &amp; Culture Industry Nature Peace Colum [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-203","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1684,"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/203\/revisions\/1684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.okinawastory.jp\/visit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}