Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 11.3
Minsaa obi sashes with the four and five pattern
between the words
itsutsu
(the five stitch pattern) and
itsu
(whenever) transforms
the
minsaa
into a sign of unfailing affection:
Itsu no yo mademo
(I love you) for ever.
This design originated in Taketomi Island, and is still used today. It has been
adapted to everyday items, such as the straps for mobile phones available in souvenir
shops in Yaeyama District (Fig.
11.4a
). A couple from Tokyo who visited Taketomi
Island before marriage was so touched by the story of
minsaa
that the two decided
to order their wedding rings with this pattern (Fig.
11.4b
).
There is a private museum of folklore in Taketomi Island located beside Kihoin
Temple, which was established in 1949 as the southernmost temple in Japan. The
former chief priest, Toru Uesedo, who was a serious researcher of local history as
well, built the museum in 1960. The museum now accommodates more than 4,000
items of traditional handcrafts and household goods, of which 842 traditional
household goods were designated as Tangible Folk Culture Properties in 2007. Toru
Uesedo was thus a spiritual and community leader in several senses, not least in his
understanding of the essence and utility of Taketomi culture.
Tanadhui Festival
The islands extending south of Japan now known as Okinawa were once the home
of the Ryukyu Dynasty. Its distinct culture, including the myth, legend and song of
both court inhabitants and commoners, has been passed down through the genera-
tions to the people of the present day. Taketomi in particular is a treasure island of
the festival arts, in which the influence of Ryukyu, Chinese and Japanese performance
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