The ethnic origin of the Okinawa
people is a mystery. Albeit inconclusive, archaeological research has
discovered early evidence of Mongol, Malay, and Ainu settlements. Also,
modern research has turned up Japanese Jomon and Yayoi influences in Okinawa's
cultural history. The Japanese of the mainland and the Okinawan people
share many cosmetic similarities. However, as with most island peoples,
the Okinawans are distinguished by a darker complexion, and they are generally
shorter and stockier in build.
The history of Okinawa is at once a sad yet triumphant
legacy to the human struggle of survival and endurance. Having suffered
through oppression, servitude and occupation for most of it's past 300 years the
drums of the Okinawan people still sound as loud and determined as ever to
maintain their uniqueness, strength and dignity.
The earliest records of Okinawa date back to 605 AD
where references in Chinese history are found. Okinawa didn't seem of
prime importance to either Japan or China so a scanty picture of the island and
its people remain. Around the end of the 13th century Kublai Khan (Mongol
Warlord) considered strategic designs for Okinawa. He thought it a prime staging
area for attacking the mainland of Japan. This campaign quickly dissipated
however, and once again Okinawa slipped back into its quiet home in the expanse
of the Pacific. During the 13th century the King of Okinawa, Satto, did sign a
trade treaty with China which started tribute from Okinawa to China, and Chinese
culture to Okinawa.
In 1609 the Japanese Shogunate, Satsuma, invaded
Okinawa and took it's king prisoner. Japan then levied a tax on the
Okinawa people which combined with the tribute to China made life very difficult
for a people already living in stressed conditions. This situation
continued until 1879, Meiji period, in which Okinawa was annexed and became a
prefecture of Japan. Yet despite this change, they still suffered heavy
taxation and suppressment of their native culture and language. They
became looked down upon by mainland Japanese and found they had little to no say
in the determination of their own life and future.
From the Okinawan point of view Okinawa was directly in
harms way when World War II opened in the Pacific. As the last
strong battlement before the Japanese mainland, Okinawa became so to speak the
"last stand" for the Japanese Army and Navy. The island and its
people also became the pawns and innocent victims of the bloodiest and deadliest
battle site of the entire war. Coming at the latter end of WWII the battle
of Okinawa started with an American invasion in the Spring of 1944. Three
months later after over 200,000 people had died (over 100,000 Okinawans) the
last Japanese soldiers surrendered and Okinawa was in the hands of the United
States.
With the end of the war soon to follow the Japanese
government released Okinawa to the United States as a possession. In order to
bolster its influence in the region and deter future Asian aggression the United
States built a hefty military presence in Okinawa. The occupying American
military government worked hard in reconstruction efforts with the local
Okinawan community, however this relationship was tenuous at best and by 1972
after strong protest Okinawa was returned back to Japanese control.
Today, one would be hard pressed to find evidence that
a war as devastating as that just mentioned had ever been fought here. Not
only in the topography of the land, which is as modern as any place in Japan,
but more surprisingly, in the people, who seem to have graciously been able
rebuild not only their island but their lives and culture.
Okinawan people, contrasted with Japanese mainlanders,
are more congenial, easy going and friendly. They have deep
family ties and it is not hard to find several generations living in not only
the same neighborhood, but many times the same house. Okinawan people have
a profound respect for their culture and community and nearly all Okinawans are
involved at some level in the expression of their island heritage.
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