初めまして。神奈川県川崎沖縄県人会のメンバーで屋良朝信といいます。

この度-2017-11月-、関東地区で活躍するウチナーンチュにスポットを当てた「沖縄・思い遥か」-川崎・鶴見・東京 ウチナーンチュ100年-[新井克英(写真)+屋良朝信(文)]という本を上梓しました。

1900年に、沖縄からの初の移民がハワイに到着したほぼ同時期にウチナーンチュが神奈川県の横浜(鶴見)や川崎に移住し、その後1924年に沖縄県人会が結成されてやがて100年という節目を迎えます。この約100年という年月に思いを致し、ウチナーンチュ一世からその子々孫々まで芸能関係、飲食店経営、市井の人々などにスポットを当てて独力で作り上げた本です。本書は日本語で書かれた本ですがハワイの沖縄出身者の方にも読んで頂けたらと思い、ご案内のチラシを添付いたします。ご希望により見本誌などの提供も検討しておりますのでご一報いただければ幸いです。

The title of the book: “Thoughts Fly Far Away to the Homeland Okinawa”

The subtitle: “The Hundred-year History of Okinawan Settlers in the Metropolitan Area”

Its original title is “Okinawa-Omoi Haruka”

Joint authorship;

Interviewed by: Tomonobu Yara

Photographed, edited and layout-designed by: Katsufusa Arai

The Ryukyu Kingdom (Okinawa) was an independent kingdom that ruled most of the Ryukyu Islands from the 15th to the 19th century. The Kingdom played a central role in the maritime trade networks of medieval East and Southeast Asia. In those days, Maritime Okinawa people crossed the Ocean to far distance places in a small sail boat.

Many years later, in the beginning of 20th century, Okinawan people started to move to the new world, Naichi (Japan mainland). Now almost a century has passed since the first Okinawans (6) settled down in Yokohama for the first time.

This book contains the stories of Okinawan people who moved and settled down in Yokohama, Kawasaki and Tokyo areas. I interviewed some 21 Okinawans-each of different generations. Through the interviews, you will find how Okinawan people live in places far remote places from their homeland Okinawa.

As is well known most Okinawan people are superior in such entertainment skills as music and dancing. Therefore, rather many musicians are covered as the interviewees in this book, but we also interviewed people who run small restaurants, and proprietors of ethnic foodstuff shops.

Some interviewees talk about the difficulties they have experienced, others tell the stories of their success.

Below are the interviewees covered in this book:

・Takashi Hirayasu: Musician

・Yoshiyuki Kobashigawa: Brazil cuisine restaurant owner

・Takashi Higa: Representative of the association of people from Okinawa

・Yoshiko Naka: Traditional Okinawan stringed instrument

・Seiji Maehama: Sanshin (Traditional Okinawan musical instrument) luthier

・Kyouichi Kinjyo: Representative of the Association of People from Okinawa

・Mituko Zaha: Peace Activist

・Yuta Shimozato: Okinawan foodstuff shop owner

・Yukino Touma: Traditional Okinawan dancer

・Shinichi Nakasone: Okinawan cuisine restaurant owner

・Tameyasu Nagamine: Ex- Bank of Brazil executive ( moved to Kamakura from Bolivia)

・Mieko China: Bolivia & Okinawan restaurant owner (moved to Yokohama from Bolivia)

・Nacil Musician: Musician

・Katsuya Izumigawa: Grand master of Ryukyu Karate, the traditional martial arts

・Makiko Miyara: Musician

・Shinako Kon: Okinawan local language instructor

・Takeo Nakamatsu: Representative of the Association of People from Okinawa

屋良とものぶ事務所 -みなと- Tel: 090-7902-9478

〒210-0808 川崎市川崎区旭町2-12-16 友和荘1F

tyara1116.49@gmail.com

wr87xc@bma.biglobe.ne.jp

tomonobuyara@docomo.ne.jp

facebook: tomonobu.yara@facebook.com