Shows
New Books in LiteratureJami Nakamura Lin, "The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir" (Mariner Books, 2023)Jami Nakamura Lin spent much of her life feeling monstrous for reasons outside of her control. As a young woman with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, much of her adolescence was marked by periods of extreme rage and an array of psychiatric treatments, and her relationships suffered as a result, especially as her father's cancer grasped hold of their family. As she grew older and learned to better manage her episodes, Lin grew frustrated with the familiar pattern she found in mental illness and grief narratives, and their focus on recovery. She sought comfort in the stories she'd loved as a...2025-01-1259 min
New Books in Asian American StudiesJami Nakamura Lin, "The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir" (Mariner Books, 2023)Jami Nakamura Lin spent much of her life feeling monstrous for reasons outside of her control. As a young woman with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, much of her adolescence was marked by periods of extreme rage and an array of psychiatric treatments, and her relationships suffered as a result, especially as her father's cancer grasped hold of their family. As she grew older and learned to better manage her episodes, Lin grew frustrated with the familiar pattern she found in mental illness and grief narratives, and their focus on recovery. She sought comfort in the stories she'd loved as a...2025-01-1259 min
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 14 🌺 Solidarity & Movement BuildingStep into the intersection where identity, activism, and solidarity converge in a powerful conversation on this episode of the Ichariba Choodee podcast. Join host Mariko Middleton and guest speakers Bean Yogi, JJ Ueunten, and Matt Miyagi Tuten as they explore the rich tapestry of Okinawan identity and its intersections with indigeneity and political organizing.
In this episode, our guests take us on a journey through their personal paths to activism, woven through the vibrant threads of queer and indigenous communities. Drawing from their Okinawan heritage, they illuminate how their cultural roots shape their commitment to collective...2024-04-091h 17
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 13 🌺 Okinawa (mis) Representation in MediaDo you remember the first time you saw Okinawa in media or pop culture? Was it represented the way you experienced it to be? How did it inform or re-inform your beliefs of what and who Okinawa/Okinawans are? Join us for a multi-dimensional conversation as we bring together three esteemed guest speakers in their fields: Risako Sakai, Elaine Cromie, and Ako Castuera. In this episode, moderated by special guest Laura Dux, we will dive into the complex topic of ‘Okinawan representation and misrepresentation in media’, and explore through each of our guests’ unique lived experiences and critical lenses spanni...2023-11-271h 18
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 12 🌺 Shimakutuba: Exploring the Languages of the RyukyusIn this episode, we speak with linguists and individuals working on reclaiming languages with three distinct Ryukyuan/Loochooan languages. These languages originate from the following locations known in Japanese as Amami Oshima, Miyako, and Yaeyama. Join us in conversation with Madoka Hammine, Michinori Shimoji, Martha Tsutsui Billins, and guest host Micah Mizukami, who share their focus in their respective languages, linguistics, revitalization, and identity.
We hope to dedicate an entire episode to each of these languages, so be on the lookout in future seasons!
Nifee Deebiru to Nami Oshiro and My Shima Playlist for the...2023-01-031h 38
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 11 🌺 Intersections x Connections | On Being Kānaka Maoli & ShimanchuJoin us in conversation with Momi Cummings and Lehuauakea as we focus on the intersections and connections of their identities as Kānaka Maoli and Shimanchu in tandem with their work and personal lives. This episode will be the first of yearly episodes where we share thoughts, identities, experiences, and histories of communities that intersect with our own. We also want to affirm and uplift the multidimensional identities of mixed-race individuals whose experiences are part of our Ryukyuan diaspora community's larger tapestry and share their voices with our listeners.2022-11-281h 30
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 10 🌺 Anniversary YuntakuAssamiyo~ Can you believe it’s been a year? A huge ippee nifee deebiru (thank you very much) to the dedicated podcast listeners this past year and to those who are just joining this evolving identity and discovery journey. You are an integral part of why this podcast has been able to gain the momentum it has and are what keeps it going.
In this anniversary episode, we’ll yutaku (chat) with the co-founders behind the podcast Mariko, Erica, & Tori – where they explore individual and collective highlights from the past year, projects that are in the works, and wha...2022-08-111h 08
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 9 🌺 Shimanchu Nu Kwii MagazineIn this episode, we speak with the editors of Shimanchu Nu Kwii Magazine - a community-led publication centering Shimanchu voices and stories throughout the diaspora. Join us in conversation with Sherry Schafer, Karen Tengan Okuda, and Carol Nakadomari who share their vision and inspiration for the magazine along with their personal journeys connecting to their Shimanchu roots. Please consider supporting this volunteer-led work by making a donation at ko-fi.com/shimanchumag and ordering the latest issue at shimanchumag.carrd.co. For more information on how you can get involved, contact shimanchumag@gmail.com.
We are also pleased...2022-05-311h 07
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 8 🌺 Henoko: Scratching the SurfaceJoin Mariko and Erica with guest speakers Maia Hibbett and Kaiya Yonamine as we begin to discuss the current situation in Henoko, Okinawa. Around 25 years ago, Henoko, a coastal village in Nago, was announced as the relocation site for the US Air Force base Futenma. We’ll weave in personal stories and thoughts while learning a bit about the history of Henoko. The topics will include Japanese and US military relations that set the foundation for the present-day circumstances, individuals who are active in the movement protesting the base relocation, environmental racism, and try to keep it light as we...2022-04-191h 31
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 7 🌺 Yii Soogwachi Deebiru - Happy Lunar New YearYii Soogwachi Deebiru!
Join Emma and Mariko as they join Eric Wada-Shinshi of Ukwanshin Kabudan on this special New Years' episode! We'll delve into and about Uchinaa Sougwachi with a visual YouTube presentation alongside our usual podcast episode.
We are grateful to Wada-Shinshi and Ukwanshin Kabudan for creating the LooChoo Identity Summit in Oʻahu and hosting many educational online events, from culture to weekly language classes. He also has a LooChoo Podcast called Loochoo Nu Kwa, please check all of it out!2022-01-131h 38
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 6 🌺 Preserving History (Okinawa Memories Initiative)Join Erica and Tori as they talk to guest speakers Lex McClellan-Ufugusuku and Stephen Yogi of the Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI). We learn about the programs history and how graduate and undergraduate students at UCSC are working to preserve the history of Okinawa.
We also have Sean Torralba as a guest writer who also participated in OMI as part of the communications team. Read his blog post to learn what his experience was like.2021-12-141h 08
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 5 🌺 Mensōre Emma!Join our co-hosts and new contributor Emma Anderson who will help guest-host future Ichariba Choodee episodes! Stepping out from behind the podcast audio-editing role she’s been in, Emma shares her experiences with us as a gosei, fifth generation Okinawan and Swedish American, in this casual and laughter-filled get-to-know-you episode. From her involvement in her local Kenjinkai, to her path playing Okinawan Koto in the Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai, to being a soul-funk Radio DJ... we are ippee excited to share the stories of another amazing Shimanchu! Karii and mensōre Emma! And, as always, make sure to stick around to the...2021-11-111h 04
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 4 🌺 Worldwide Uchinanchu Student Summit (WUSS)Accompany co-hosts Erica and Tori as they talk with guest speakers Tadashi Andres Ysa Urbina and Andres Higa. Norly Endo is our English and Español translator for our first bilingual episode!
We are grateful for Tadashi and Andres joining us because they are the creators of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Student Summit, World Uchinanchu Day on October 30th, and International Nikkei Day on June 20th.
Learn with us as they share how they began their journey together and conceptualized W.U.S.S and how you can be involved in this international program ... and of c...2021-10-151h 08
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 3 pt.2 🌺 Hajichi with Co Lewis & June OwatariWhat is the future of hajichi? How does a shifting culture and identity of the Ryukyuan / Okinawan diaspora affect a practice such as this?
Join co-host Mariko with returning guest speakers Co Lewis and June Owatari as they continue the discussion on the Ryukyuan practice of Hajichi, or traditional Ryukyuan hand tattoo. Looking to the present day revival practices of hajichi, we will talk about the future of this beautiful practice, how it has adapted or changed, and what hajichi might look like in the future. ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of t...2021-09-1543 min
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 3 pt.1 🌺 Hajichi with Co Lewis, June Owatari and Hilson ReidpathRite of passage? Protection from abduction? Markings that grant access to aspects of the afterlife? An all but obsolete cultural practice?
Join co-host Mariko with guest speakers Co Lewis, June Owatari and Hilson Reidpath as they take a dive into the Ryukyuan practice of Hajichi, or traditional Ryukyuan hand tattoo. We will look at hajichi historically, present day hajichi revival in the United States, as well as ponder what hajichi might look like in the future. ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day. Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode, releas...2021-08-081h 23
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 2 🌺 Shimakutuba: Language Revitalization with Brandon IngJoin co-hosts Erica & Mariko for our second episode welcoming our first ever guest speaker, Brandon Ufugusuku Ing! Brandon is a musician, educator, and Uchinaaguchi language revitalizationist. He’s also the creative mind behind Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi and Let’s Speak Uchinaaguchi. We’ll talk story, hear a little bit about his inspirations and his relationship to uchinaaguchi and Okinawa, ... and of course, we’ll end with our Okinawa fun fact of the day.2021-07-091h 10
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesEPISODE 1 🌺 Hajimitiyaasai: Meet your co-hostsHajimitiyaasai! (Nice to meet you!) Meet your co-hosts Mariko, Erica, & Tori as they introduce themselves, the podcast, and dive a little bit into their uchinanchu / shimanchu identities. We hope you will join us for this causal yuntaku first episode! Yutasurugutu unigeesabira!
Full show notes here:
https://www.shimanchupodcast.com/post/episode-1-hajimiti-yaasai-meet-your-co-hosts-erica-tori-mariko2021-06-1057 min
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & StoriesIchariba Choodee TeaserHaisai and welcome to our monthly Okinawan (Shimanchu) podcast!2021-03-3000 min