I lived as a young dependent in the Oroku housing area (USAF enlisted families) on the southern side of Naha AFB from 1963-1966. I was only 8-11 yrs old then but these pictures brought back many memories that had been long stored in the deeper, more inaccessible recesses of my mind. Thank you for sharing! My own memories re-surfaced and I started to look for pictures my father had taken while we were there. My childhood memories of Okinawa were pleasant. By the standards of most, we were poor. I believe my father arrived at Naha as an E5 with four children and left as an E6 with five children. We lived in a small three bedroom, five room, concrete block house with a concrete slab floor and concrete slab ceiling. As poor as we were, our Okinawan neighbors were even poorer. I have fond memories of Shihoko, our 2 day/week Okinawan maid, the "sew-girl" who came around measured us and made clothing for us with the materiel my mother purchased at the BX or "on the economy" and I remember watching the several sugar cane farmers who harvested their crop by hand using only a sickle. They were good industrious people making the best way forward they could in such meager circumstances, but the ones we knew were happy people. Now 60 years hence and possessing a lot more "stuff" I yearn for the simpler life reflected in your video montage. Thanks for the memories!
Just as I remember Okinawa. Born in Naha in 58 . I lived in a Okinawan village near Ishikawa with my Mama and her family. I don't remember my father. He was a American GI. I was adopted by a military couple when I was 7and left for America as teenager. I found my Mama in 90 and went back to Okinawa to see my Mama and family. Communication was very difficult so we were sending omiyage packages and calling often until it abruptly stopped. I'm afraid she may have passed.😢 Thank you for posting these beautiful photos. Brought back so many children memories 😘.
So glad the pictures meant something to you, too. I have color shots I may post, but I haven't been able to find authentic Okinawan music to accompany the photos.
Hi Rick, check-out (search) hija Byron in youtube. He was abanded by his paternity father, an GI and raised by his grandparent. But, after his soul search, he became very valuable assets to Okinawan culture.
Thank you so much Katherine, you don't know how much these pictures mean for us Okinawans. I showed this to my parents who were born in 1950s and they are wondering where in Okinawa these were taken at.
Good photos, sad that you did not add traditional Sanchin for the lives of the poor folks. If you are on Okinawa you can get a lot of original music. My wife's cousin and his friends play a lot together and we have filmd them and made CDs of their music. Rrian Higa also is an awesome player and teacher of Uchinaguchi. Same time I was here in the Army 1961~1972 and living here now. I shoot a lot of video as I did film in the '60s, we have a few videos posted as well.
I lived as a young dependent in the Oroku housing area (USAF enlisted families) on the southern side of Naha AFB from 1963-1966. I was only 8-11 yrs old then but these pictures brought back many memories that had been long stored in the deeper, more inaccessible recesses of my mind. Thank you for sharing! My own memories re-surfaced and I started to look for pictures my father had taken while we were there. My childhood memories of Okinawa were pleasant. By the standards of most, we were poor. I believe my father arrived at Naha as an E5 with four children and left as an E6 with five children. We lived in a small three bedroom, five room, concrete block house with a concrete slab floor and concrete slab ceiling. As poor as we were, our Okinawan neighbors were even poorer. I have fond memories of Shihoko, our 2 day/week Okinawan maid, the "sew-girl" who came around measured us and made clothing for us with the materiel my mother purchased at the BX or "on the economy" and I remember watching the several sugar cane farmers who harvested their crop by hand using only a sickle. They were good industrious people making the best way forward they could in such meager circumstances, but the ones we knew were happy people. Now 60 years hence and possessing a lot more "stuff" I yearn for the simpler life reflected in your video montage. Thanks for the memories!
I was stationed on okinawa from 1965 to 1967 I really enjoyed the people there thank you for your wonderful post
Just as I remember Okinawa. Born in Naha in 58 . I lived in a Okinawan village near Ishikawa with my Mama and her family. I don't remember my father. He was a American GI. I was adopted by a military couple when I was 7and left for America as teenager. I found my Mama in 90 and went back to Okinawa to see my Mama and family. Communication was very difficult so we were sending omiyage packages and calling often until it abruptly stopped. I'm afraid she may have passed.😢 Thank you for posting these beautiful photos. Brought back so many children memories 😘.
So glad the pictures meant something to you, too. I have color shots I may post, but I haven't been able to find authentic Okinawan music to accompany the photos.
Hi Rick, check-out (search) hija Byron in youtube. He was abanded by his paternity father, an GI and raised by his grandparent. But, after his soul search, he became very valuable assets to Okinawan culture.
Thank you so much Katherine, you don't know how much these pictures mean for us Okinawans. I showed this to my parents who were born in 1950s and they are wondering where in Okinawa these were taken at.
Most were taken in the Kadena and Koza areas, a few in the Naha area and some farther north.
@@kwoconnor
Thank you so much!! We are so amazed!
年寄りの笑顔と、額に刻まれたシワに、魅力とパワーを感じますね。人びとの日常生活の表情が、よく捉えられていますね。
貴重な写真です。
素晴らしい❗
Thank you for some wonderful pictures. They brought back a lot of great memories of the island. I was at Sukiran 64/65.
0:30 Seiyu Shinjo Sensei, 8:07 Kiyohide Shinjo sensei.
Yes! And here is more about them: ruclips.net/video/XMkVmbvCJLs/видео.html
Good photos, sad that you did not add traditional Sanchin for the lives of the poor folks. If you are on Okinawa you can get a lot of original music. My wife's cousin and his friends play a lot together and we have filmd them and made CDs of their music. Rrian Higa also is an awesome player and teacher of Uchinaguchi. Same time I was here in the Army 1961~1972 and living here now. I shoot a lot of video as I did film in the '60s, we have a few videos posted as well.
Wish it had traditional Ryukyu music instead of this generic "asian fits all style." Otherwise a great compilation of photos.