My friend Myron just got back from Okinawa and he took a ton of beautiful photographs that totally make me want to pack my bags and head for the homeland. I’ve been to Okinawa twice, the last time in 1999 with my Okinawan dance troupe when we had the opportunity to perform in Naha and Gushikawa. Truly memorable experiences, perhaps once in a lifetime for me, although I hope to return to the art again in the future and have the chance to dance in Okinawa again.

With Baby Champuru on the way, I hope that I will be able to instill an appreciation for both cultures (Japanese and Okinawan) in him/her. I have always felt that having a keen cultural awareness since childhood really has made my life richer as a result. At the same time, I don’t want to push my own passions and interests on my child. My parents did a great job of not forcing me to do this or that, but rather gave me the opportunities to learn different things. When I decided to quit, they didn’t force me to continue. When I wanted to go back, they gladly allowed me to do so. I think forcing a child only creates a negative impression in their mind and they may never opt to return. As for me, I stopped and started Okinawan dance lessons a number of times since age 5, but I have always returned out of my own volition. I hope early exposure will grow into a lifelong love of their culture. That would make me very happy.

Photography by Myron Akana