Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & Stories

Step into the intersection where identity, activism, and solidarity converge in a powerful conversation on this episode of the Ichariba Choodee podcast. Join host Mariko Middleton and guest speakers Bean Yogi, JJ Ueunten, and Matt Miyagi Tuten as they explore the rich tapestry of Okinawan identity and its intersections with indigeneity and political organizing.

In this episode, our guests take us on a journey through their personal paths to activism, woven through the vibrant threads of queer and indigenous communities. Drawing from their Okinawan heritage, they illuminate how their cultural roots shape their commitment to collective liberation.

Prepare to dive deep as the conversation navigates through various political landscapes and settler colonialism while shining a light on the path to Palestinian liberation. Discover actionable strategies, such as BDS, that empower listeners to engage in meaningful activism right in their own communities. However, it's not just about politics—it's about finding community in shared struggles and embracing the digital realm as a space for impactful resistance. Tune in and join the movement as we explore the power of solidarity and the journey to meaningful change.

Photo used with permission: Mari Megumi, Seiji Igei, and Laura Kina

Do you remember the first time you saw Okinawa in media or pop culture? Was it represented the way you experienced it to be? How did it inform or re-inform your beliefs of what and who Okinawa/Okinawans are? Join us for a multi-dimensional conversation as we bring together three esteemed guest speakers in their fields: Risako Sakai, Elaine Cromie, and Ako Castuera. In this episode, moderated by special guest Laura Dux, we will dive into the complex topic of ‘Okinawan representation and misrepresentation in media’, and explore through each of our guests’ unique lived experiences and critical lenses spanning across academia, journalism, and entertainment. Ippee nifee debiru (thank you very much!) to Koji for providing this episode's music, ‘To Carry (On and On)!

Join us in conversation with Momi Cummings and Lehuauakea as we focus on the intersections and connections of their identities as Kānaka Maoli and Shimanchu in tandem with their work and personal lives. This episode will be the first of yearly episodes where we share thoughts, identities, experiences, and histories of communities that intersect with our own. We also want to affirm and uplift the multidimensional identities of mixed-race individuals whose experiences are part of our Ryukyuan diaspora community's larger tapestry and share their voices with our listeners.

Assamiyo~ Can you believe it’s been a year?  A huge ippee nifee deebiru (thank you very much) to the dedicated podcast listeners this past year and to those who are just joining this evolving identity and discovery journey. You are an integral part of why this podcast has been able to gain the momentum it has and are what keeps it going.

In this anniversary episode, we’ll yutaku (chat) with the co-founders behind the podcast Mariko, Erica, & Tori – where they explore individual and collective highlights from the past year, projects that are in the works, and what they are hopeful for in the future. Gratitude to our amazing editing team for their work this past year: Joey & Emma and a warm welcome to our new volunteers: Adriane, Kiera, Carol, Isabella, and Harumi!

Looking forward to another wonderful year – Yutashiku unigeesabira!

Join Mariko and Erica with guest speakers Maia Hibbett and Kaiya Yonamine as we begin to discuss the current situation in Henoko, Okinawa. Around 25 years ago, Henoko, a coastal village in Nago, was announced as the relocation site for the US Air Force base Futenma. We’ll weave in personal stories and thoughts while learning a bit about the history of Henoko. The topics will include Japanese and US military relations that set the foundation for the present-day circumstances, individuals who are active in the movement protesting the base relocation, environmental racism, and try to keep it light as we talk about a heavy and challenging topic. We acknowledge the factors at play evolve constantly, and some details may have changed since the original recording in March 2022. We wish to share these essential reflections to bring more consistent and timely updates to our community and listeners in addition to our regular programming.

We are also pleased to include our first Kickstarter backer interview with the lovely Momi Cummings.

Join our co-hosts and new contributor Emma Anderson who will help guest-host future Ichariba Choodee episodes!  Stepping out from behind the podcast audio-editing role she’s been in, Emma shares her experiences with us as a gosei, fifth generation Okinawan and Swedish American, in this casual and laughter-filled get-to-know-you episode.  From her involvement in her local Kenjinkai, to her path playing Okinawan Koto in the Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai, to being a soul-funk Radio DJ... we are ippee excited to share the stories of another amazing Shimanchu! Karii and mensōre Emma!   And, as always, make sure to stick around to the end of the episode for our Okinawa fun fact of the day.

Accompany co-hosts Erica and Tori as they talk with guest speakers Tadashi Andres Ysa Urbina and Andres Higa. Norly Endo is our English and Español translator for our first bilingual episode!

We are grateful for Tadashi and Andres joining us because they are the creators of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Student Summit, World Uchinanchu Day on October 30th, and International Nikkei Day on June 20th.

Learn with us as they share how they began their journey together and conceptualized W.U.S.S and how you can be involved in this international program ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day!

Ippee nifee debiru to the Eisa Club of Meio University providing this episode's music.

What is the future of hajichi? How does a shifting culture and identity of the Ryukyuan / Okinawan diaspora affect a practice such as this?

Join co-host Mariko with returning guest speakers Co Lewis and June Owatari as they continue the discussion on the Ryukyuan practice of Hajichi, or traditional Ryukyuan hand tattoo.  Looking to the present day revival practices of hajichi, we will talk about the future of this beautiful practice, how it has adapted or changed, and what hajichi might look like in the future.  ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day.

Rite of passage?  Protection from abduction? Markings that grant access to aspects of the afterlife? An all but obsolete cultural practice?

Join co-host Mariko with guest speakers Co Lewis, June Owatari and Hilson Reidpath as they take a dive into the Ryukyuan practice of Hajichi, or traditional Ryukyuan hand tattoo.  We will look at hajichi historically, present day hajichi revival in the United States, as well as ponder what hajichi might look like in the future.  ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day.  Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode, releasing next month!

Join co-hosts Erica & Mariko for our second episode welcoming our first ever guest speaker, Brandon Ufugusuku Ing!  Brandon is a musician, educator, and Uchinaaguchi language revitalizationist. He’s also the creative mind behind Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi and Let’s Speak Uchinaaguchi.  We’ll talk story, hear a little bit about his inspirations and his relationship to uchinaaguchi and Okinawa, ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day.

Hajimitiyaasai! (Nice to meet you!) Meet your co-hosts Mariko, Erica, & Tori as they introduce themselves, the podcast, and dive a little bit into their uchinanchu / shimanchu identities.  We hope you will join us for this causal yuntaku first episode!  Yutasurugutu unigeesabira!

Full show notes here:
https://www.shimanchupodcast.com/post/episode-1-hajimiti-yaasai-meet-your-co-hosts-erica-tori-mariko

Haisai and welcome to our monthly Okinawan (Shimanchu) podcast!