Editing Okinawa Prefecture (section)

==Culture==
Okinawan culture retains strong influences from its historical trading partners. Among these, [[Kyushu]] has maintained the closest economic and cultural ties with Okinawa from ancient times to the present, and the two regions share many cultural traits. Elements of Okinawan culture can be found throughout [[Kyushu]], and vice versa. For instance, Okinawan musical scales appear in [[Kyushu]]’s folk songs, and there are notable similarities in cuisine and language. [[Kyushu]] is also home to a traditional instrument called the ''[[gottan]](ゴッタン)'', which closely resembles the Okinawan ''[[sanshin]]''(三線).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyushu & Okinawa {{!}} EU-Japan |url=https://www.eu-japan.eu/eubusinessinjapan/about-japan/regions-prefectures/kyushu-okinawa |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.eu-japan.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyushu & Okinawa {{!}} Japan Experience - Japan Rail Pass |url=https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/traveling-japan/kyushu-okinawa |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.japan-experience.com |language=en}}</ref>

Furthermore, the customs of the Okinawan islands show strong influences from China, [[Thailand]], and [[Austronesian peoples|Austronesian-speaking regions]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nakajima |first1=Etsuko |last2=Shiota |first2=Junichi |last3=Kawamura |first3=Mitsuru |date=1999 |title=Motor Aphasia in a Polylingual Japanese Male. |url=https://doi.org/10.5112/jjlp.40.209 |journal=The Japan Journal of Logopedics and Phoniatrics |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=209–216 |doi=10.5112/jjlp.40.209 |issn=0030-2813}}</ref>

One of the most famous cultural traditions of Okinawa is undoubtedly [[karate]]. [[Karate]] is a martial art that originated when [[Chinese martial arts|Chinese kung fu]] was introduced to the [[Ryukyu Kingdom]] and then developed independently within the islands before being brought to mainland [[Japan]]. Today, karate is practiced around the world in various styles, including [[Shotokan]], [[Gōjū-ryū|Goju-ryu]], [[Shitō-ryū|Shito-ryu]], and [[Uechi-Ryū|Uechi-ryu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=沖縄空手の紹介 : 沖縄空手―空手発祥の地 沖縄― : 沖縄政策 : 内閣府 |url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/okinawa/okinawakarate/shokai/karate-shokai.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref> [[File:OkinawaPottery.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Awamori]] pots]]

A cultural feature of the Okinawans is the forming of [[Moai (social support groups)|''moais'']]. A {{Nihongo3|||moai}} is a community social gathering and groups that come together to provide financial and emotional support through emotional bonding, advice giving, and social funding. This provides a sense of security for the community members and as mentioned in the Blue Zone studies, may have been a contributing factor to the longevity of its people.<ref>{{cite web|title=Okinawa's Longevity Lessons|url=https://www.bluezones.com/2014/03/okinawas-longevity-lessons/|website=Blue Zones|publisher=Admin|access-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001104107/https://www.bluezones.com/2014/03/okinawas-longevity-lessons/|archive-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> However, in recent decades Okinawans' life expectancy has fallen significantly (also bringing into question the general validity of the 'Blue Zones' denominaton), which often has been blamed on cultural influence from the rest of Japan, as well as foreign influences on Okinawans' lifestyle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan: What's behind Okinawans' falling life expectancy?|url=https://www.dw.com/en/japan-whats-behind-okinawans-falling-life-expectancy/a-62088176|website=DW|access-date=April 16, 2024}}</ref>

Two Okinawan writers have received the [[Akutagawa Prize]]: [[Eiki Matayoshi]] in 1995 for {{Nihongo|''The Pig's Retribution''|豚の報い|Buta no mukui}} and [[Shun Medoruma]] in 1997 for ''A Drop of Water'' (''Suiteki''). The prize was also won by Okinawans in 1967 by [[Tatsuhiro Oshiro]] for ''Cocktail Party'' ({{Nihongo3|||Kakuteru Pāti}}) and in 1971 by [[Mineo Higashi]] for ''Okinawan Boy'' ({{Nihongo3|||Okinawa no Shōnen}}).<ref name="O-times">{{cite news|url=http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/summit/english/2000/20000721_6.html |title=Okinawa Writers Excel in Literature|date=July 21, 2000|work=The Okinawa Times|publisher=Okinawa Times|access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000823030320/http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/summit/english/2000/20000721_6.html |archive-date = August 23, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bunshun.co.jp/award/akutagawa/list1.htm|script-title=ja:芥川賞受賞者一覧|year=2009|publisher=Bungeishunju Ltd.|language=ja|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213000347/http://www.bunshun.co.jp/award/akutagawa/list1.htm|archive-date=February 13, 2008}}</ref>

A traditional craft, the fabric named [[bingata]], is made in workshops on the main island and elsewhere.

===Music===
{{main|Okinawan music|Ryukyuan music}}
[[File:Eisa, a traditional Okinawan dance.jpg|thumb|left|''Eisa'' performer in [[Naha]], Okinawa]]

The music of the prefecture contains native and imported influences in both ''koten'' (classical) and ''[[min'yō]]'' (folk) styles. Okinawan instruments include the [[sanshin]]—a three-stringed [[banjo]]-like instrument, closely related to the Chinese [[sanxian]], and ancestor of the Japanese [[shamisen]]. Its body is often bound with snakeskin (from [[Pythonidae|pythons]], imported from elsewhere in Asia, rather than from Okinawa's venomous [[Okinawa habu|habu]], which are too small for this purpose). Okinawan musical cultures integrate dance with music, such as in [[Eisa (dance)|eisa]], a traditional drumming dance.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Trimillos|first=Ricardo D.|date=2009|title=Reviewed Work: ''Drumming Out a Message: Eisa and the Okinawan Diaspora'' Yoshitaka Terada |journal=Asian Music|volume=40|issue=2|pages=161–165|doi=10.1353/amu.0.0035|jstor=25652439|s2cid=191601292|issn=0044-9202}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{main|Ryukyuan religion}}
Okinawan people have inherited a traditional religious belief system known as [[Ryukyuan religion|Ryukyuan Shinto]], which is similar to but distinct from modern [[Shinto|Japanese Shinto]]. This indigenous belief system is animistic in nature, characterized by ancestor worship and a deep respect for the relationships between the living, the dead, and the gods or spirits of the natural world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/15945|title=陶磁器から古の神事（祭祀・儀式）を考える|last=Okinawa Prefectural reserve cultural assets center|date=2006|website=Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan|access-date=September 2, 2016|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728031104/https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/en/15945|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Shamanism|Shamanic]] practitioners, known as '''''[[Yuta (shaman)|Yuta]]''''', continue to play an active role in Okinawan society. They perform ritual prayers, divination, spiritual consultations, and even communicate with the spirits of the deceased. For many people, ''yuta'' serve as important spiritual guides who offer advice and solutions to both supernatural and everyday life problems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=なぜ沖縄にはシャーマンが多く存在するのか？ユタとノロについて {{!}} 舞の道 観音舞 |url=https://mainomichi.com/mblog/okinawa-sherman/#:~:text=%E6%B2%96%E7%B8%84%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8C%E3%83%A6%E3%82%BF%E3%80%8D,%E3%81%A8%E8%80%83%E3%81%88%E3%82%89%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=舞の道 観音舞 |language=ja}}</ref>

Throughout Okinawa, there are sacred sites known as ''[[Utaki|'''utaki''']]'', where rituals and ceremonies are performed. Ryukyuan beliefs preserve many elements of ancient Japanese spirituality—such as those from the [[Jōmon period|Jōmon]] and [[Yayoi period|Yayoi periods]]—which have largely disappeared on the Japanese mainland. As such, they are considered important resources in [[comparative mythology]] and religious studies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OKINAWA 41 |date=2019-06-26 |title=沖縄古来の琉球神道について - OKINAWA41 |url=https://www.okinawa41.go.jp/reports/22572 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.okinawa41.go.jp |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=琉球神話との比較とは何？ わかりやすく解説 Weblio辞書 |url=https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E7%90%89%E7%90%83%E7%A5%9E%E8%A9%B1%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AE%E6%AF%94%E8%BC%83 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.weblio.jp}}</ref>

===Cuisine and diet===
{{See also|Okinawan cuisine}}
[[File:沖縄酒場SABANI Okinawa-sakaba SABANI 沖縄そば Okinawa Soba.jpg|thumb|[[Okinawa soba]]]]
The [[Okinawa diet|Okinawan diet]] consists of low-fat, low-salt foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes, tofu, and seaweed. Okinawans are particularly well known for consuming purple potatoes, also known as Okinawan sweet potatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition|title=The Okinawan Sweet Potato: A Purple Powerhouse of Nutrition|last=Earth|first=Down to|date=November 11, 2011|website=Down to Earth Organic and Natural|language=en|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806033443/https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition|url-status=live}}</ref> Okinawans used to be known for their [[longevity]] compared to the rest of Japan and the world in general. This particular island is a so-called [[Blue Zone]], an area where people are purported to live longer than most others elsewhere in the world. Possible explanations for this were diet, low-stress lifestyle, caring community, activity, and spirituality of the inhabitants of the island.<ref name="Santrock">{{cite book|author=Santrock, John W. A|title= Topical Approach to Life-Span Development|url=https://archive.org/details/topicalapproacht00john_0|url-access=registration|edition=4|location=New York|publisher= McGraw-Hill|year= 2002}}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2014}}

A traditional Okinawan product that owes its existence to Okinawa's trading history is [[awamori]]—an Okinawan distilled spirit made from ''indica'' rice imported from [[Thailand]].

===Architecture===
[[File:Naha Shuri Castle20s5s3200.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shuri Castle]] in Naha]]

Despite widespread destruction during World War II, there are many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress known as ''[[gusuku]]''; the most [[Values (heritage)|significant]] are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List ([[Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972/ |title=Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |access-date=May 29, 2012 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513102456/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, [[List of Cultural Properties of Japan - structures (Okinawa)|twenty-three Ryukyuan architectural complexes]] and [[List of Historic Sites of Japan (Okinawa)|forty historic sites]] have been [[Cultural Property (Japan)|designated for protection]] by the national government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |title=Database of National Cultural Properties: 国宝・重要文化財 (建造物): 沖縄県 |language=ja |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722215103/https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |archive-date=July 22, 2019 }}</ref> [[Shuri Castle]] in Naha is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].

[[File:Nakamura House Kitanakagusuku01n3104.jpg|thumb|right|Nakamura House]]
[[File:Tomori Stone Lion 202006 01.jpg|thumb|right|A [[shisa]]]]

Whereas most [[Housing in Japan|homes in Japan]] are made from wood and allow free-flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows to protect from flying plant debris and to withstand regular [[typhoon]]s. Roofs are designed with strong winds in mind, in which each tile is cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes in Japan.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} The Nakamura House ({{ill|中村家住宅 (沖縄県)|ja|vertical-align=sup}}) is an original 18th century farmhouse in Kitanakagusuki. Many roofs also display a lion-dog statue, called a [[shisa]], which is said to protect the home from danger. Roofs are typically red in color and are inspired by Chinese design.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Chinese and Japanese Influence In Ryukyuan Architecture – Okinawa Prefecture|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-chinese-and-japanese-influence-in-ryukyuan-architecture/ZwLild7YMwcxIg|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=Google Arts & Culture|language=en|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185501/https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-chinese-and-japanese-influence-in-ryukyuan-architecture/ZwLild7YMwcxIg|url-status=live}}</ref>