Category: Okinawa (Page 1 of 2)

Ryukyu Religion (Part 2)

A thick bundle of incense left at a religious site (photos by John Dougill)

One aspect of Ryukyu religious activity that is particularly striking is the use of incense, not just individual sticks but in bundles. At religious sites you … Read the rest

Okinawa’s Zamami

As the days close in on a pandemic year, Okinawa continues to enchant with its ocean blues, golden sands and healing greens. It is the off-season so there are few around to distract from the immersion in nature. Here indeed … Read the rest

Okinawa’s Iejima

Green Shinto has written of the attractions of Okinawa before (see the relevant category to the right). Blessed by sea, sand and sun, the islands feel close to the spirit world and it is said that in the religion of … Read the rest

Amami Oshima (Part two)

Before heading for the interview with Sakai-gami, respected yuta of northern Oshima, I went in search of the mythical origins of the island culture. According to brochures, there’s a hill with a monument celebrating the myth of Amanchi and the … Read the rest

Amami Oshima (Part 1)

The Amami islands lie between Kyushu and Okinawa. Though technically they belong to Kagoshima Prefecture, they have more of the feel of Okinawa. There are five inhabited islands in the  archipelago, of which Amami Oshima is the biggest. Total population … Read the rest

« Older posts

© 2025 Green Shinto

Theme by Anders NorénUp ↑