In 1469 a Kyushu farmer made a bonfire in the wilderness which to his surprise set a black rock on fire. Centuries later, what started as a happy accident would go on to play a starring role in a critical…
Itokazu’s Cave and Castle
Abuchiragama and it’s wartime history was covered more in-depth here; this article was written for Stripes Japan and a more general audience. Southern Okinawa is a natural and cultural hotbed, with something for everyone. There are sacred sites, battlefield memorials,…
Keibin: Remembering Okinawa’s Light Railway at Yonabaru
One of Okinawa’s distinct features that sets it apart from mainland Japan is its lack of a railway system, not counting the tourist-centric monorail between the airport and Kokusai-dori. But that wasn’t always the case and for three decades railways,…
A Hill by Any Other Name: Nakagusuku’s Pinnacle (161.8 Kouchi Jinchi)
In Nakagusuku village there’s a rather ordinary forested hill that’s been known by many names. The old Okinawans of Nakagusuku Village called it “Kishimaki-no-taki,” a sacred site of prayer. To the Imperial Japanese Army it was “161.8 Kouchi Jinchi,” a…
Historic Birthdays: Emperor Meiji (1852)
Today is the birthday of Mutsuhito, Emperor Meiji, who was born this day in 1852. As emperor he and his government would oversee Japan’s transformation from a feudal to a modern state. His birthplace was this unassuming little house on…
The Well-Traveled Equestrian Statue of Yamagata Aritomo
The statue of an age-wearied field marshal astride his horse guards the entrance to Hagi Chuo Park. Perhaps he’s scrutinizing files on parade or gazing upon a battlefield, though these days his only remaining enemies are pigeons and errant…
Fighting the Kriegsmarine and Kamikazes: A Short History of USS Emmons (DD-457/DMS-22)
This article was originally written for a college class, but the uncommon subject matter is one I think my readers would find interesting so I am presenting it here with minor changes. To learn more about Emmons I recommend reaching…
Evangelion 3.0+1.0’s Ube-Shinkawa Station
This is another ‘fun’ post for those that can’t get to Japan at the moment due to this and that going on in the world. I’m vaccinated and desperately needed to get off Okinawa for a few days to decompress…
Green Jungle and Grey Stone: Chinen and Tamagusuku’s Gusuku (Castle) Road
Because I didn’t know what my options were until I arrived, I set aside the afternoon of my anime sightseeing day trip to Nanjo City for whatever locally spoke to me. Since the Sefa-Utaki, the most sacred place in Okinawa’s…
White Sand and Blue Sea: Chinen Village in Aquatope on White Sand
This is the first part of a one-day trip to Nanjo City, Okinwa, broken into two stories. Those interested in how a real seaside Okinawan village is depicted in modern pop culture can start here. If you’re just here for…