September 8, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
Thomas Alan Smilie
I
n a world shelling out millions clinging to the last drops of youth, there is a place where age is not shunned but embraced and even celebrated. That place is Japan. In Japan there is a public holiday honoring all elderly citizens. Beginning in 1966, Respect for the Aged Day is celebrated on the third Monday of September—this year it falls on September 19. The Japanese government celebrates those that have reached the golden age of 100 with the gift of a silver sake (rice wine) cup. Okinawa celebrates its elderly along with the rest of Japan on Respect for the Aged Day; daycare children invite their grandparents to lunch. But, as the “festival people” would have it, Okinawa has multiple celebrations for their elderly. On Okinawa, when people reach the age 60, they have reached kanreki, which symbolizes the beginning of a happy old age. At 88, the special birthday party called tôkachi or “celebrating
inside
reaching a mature old age” is held in their honor. While kanreki and tôkachi are both considered a big deal, neither can hold a candle to the magnitude of the “ultimate” birthday party celebrated when Okinawans turn 97. This celebration, which is thrown for elders by offspring, relatives and members of the local community, is called kajimayâ. Kajimayâ, which literally translates into “pinwheel,” is celebrated en masse annually on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar (9/7)—this year it falls on October 7. Kajimayâ are definitely a big deal for the community—usually municipal governments (and sometimes the prefectural government) sponsor parties for these long-lived people. Some birthday “boys” and “girls” are even given rides in convertible automobiles—oftentimes a Cadillac, Chevy or other large car—in small parades through their communities waving toy pinwheels in their hands. Neighborhood residents line the
Learn to Swim | 3 Cool Down with a Swim Meet | 3 Why Celebrate 97-Year-Olds with Pinwheels? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
"Neighborhood residents line the streets and follow the cars to share in the luck of the long-lived." streets and follow the cars to share in the luck of the long-lived. Large receptions are held, many rivaling lavish wedding receptions that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Check out Why is That? on page 5 to answer the question: Why celebrate 97-year-olds with pinwheels?
Pick of the Week: Square Watermelons | 7 Bonsai Coffee at Terra | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge Learn to Swim
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ant to be able to do more than just doggie paddle? MCCS Aquatics’ autumn Learn to Swim Program will help you get started. The best perk of swimming is the recreation it provides for individuals and families. From pool parties to snorkeling trips, water activities abound on the island. It’s also a lifetime sport that works
practically every muscle in your body and keeps your heart and joints happy and healthy. Sessions meet every weekday for two weeks. The registration fee ($50 for parent/child lessons and $75 for regular lessons) includes eight classes. Different class times are available ranging from 11 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. Each session lasts approvimately 45
minutes. MCCS Aquatics tailors these group lessons to a variety of skill levels at the Camp Foster 25M or 50M pools. Register online at mccsokinawa. com/learntoswim for upcoming sessions: September 12 to 22, September 26 to October 6 and October 11 to 21.
events&happenings
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Caylee Reid ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Hector Nieves EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Tomoko Taylor, Lisa Hicks, Carina Fils-Julien DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko, Kelli Kreider MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Marissa DeSmet, Ashley Herring, Kristen Wong, Katherine Melrose, Jenessa Reutov, Allison Dixon BROADCAST | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
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Cool Down with a Swim Meet
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f you find yourself in a summer rut from too much lazing at the beach or the summer heat is cramping your style, perhaps you should shake things up a bit by working toward your fitness goals and cooling off at the next summer swim meet on September 23 at the Camp Foster 50M Pool. Later in the year, go for one of the polar options: Decem-
ber 3 or 17 at the Camp Foster 25M Pool. All meets are from 6 to 10 a.m. The events are FREE and open to athletes of all ages and islandwide. Runs will cover various swim strokes such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and more. The SOFAstatus entry period begins 14 days prior and closes five days before the meet date. The non-SOFA-status
entry period opens 35 days prior and closes 30 days before the meet date. Required entry information includes swimmer’s name and date of birth. Email odst@hotmail.com to enter for FREE. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.odst.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase of the week
whyisthat? Why Celebrate 97-Year-Olds with Pinwheels?
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Omedetou gozaimasu. Congratulations
Thomas Alan Smilie
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
uring the dawn of time, somewhere in the Ryukyus, the god of the sky visited the earth god’s kingdom. When he arrived, it began to rain, and the sky god found the perfect clay to mold figures. He made three males and females before the clay dried. After his work, he fell asleep. The sky god awoke to an enraged earth god because he neglected to ask permission. The two gods negotiated for three summers until finally agreeing to let these new creatures, called human beings, live on the earth for 100 years. And afterwards, the clay would be returned to the earth god. 96 years passed. During this time, the humans prospered and multiplied. The earth was now populated
with thousands—from newborn to aged—and the sky god was pleased. On the 97th year, the earth god went to the sky god’s abode to ask for the return of his clay. The sky god, angered, argued that the pact called for 100 years. The earth god countered that three of the 100 years were “leap years” to compensate for negotiation time. The sky god reminded the earth god that he had promised each individual human a hundred years of life—and the newly born humans had only lived a few days of their allotted time. While the earth god grudgingly agreed on this point, he refused to relent on the other. He declared that each human aged 97 would be taken.
The sky god was distraught. He went down to visit the first six of his creations for the last time. As he enjoyed tea with them, he was struck with an idea: He told the elders to act like babies and instructed the relatives to hold a birthday celebration for the elders but to celebrate as they would the arrival of a newborn—with colorful garb and toy pinwheels. This way, whenever the earth god heard the sounds of celebration among humans, he would see a newborn’s birthday party. It is believed that this tradition was passed down from generation to generation and, over time, it became known as kajimayâ—the name of the toy pinwheel waved by celebrants.
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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more info
"Godzilla Eggs" are giant watermelons packed in a crate. These are edible and go for about ¥8,000.
pickoftheweek
Square Watermelons
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ood is as much art as it is sustenance—it’s judged on its taste and presentation, with chefs and agriculturalists priding themselves on the artistry and taste of their food. One farmer in the early 80s took this one step further. The farmer, based out of Zentsuji in Kagawa Prefecture, decided to create square watermelons for easier
packing and storage. The fruits are grown in boxes and conform to the shape in which they are confined. The watermelons, which cost ¥10,000 a pop in Japan and nearly $900 in Russia, are purely a novelty item—they're inedible. Only a handful of farmers grow square watermelons, and about 400 are distributed per year, making these inedible fruit cubes a decorative
item for the wealthy. Watermelons haven’t stopped at squares. You can now find heartshaped watermelons and pyramidshaped watermelons. Expect to pay about double for more complex shapes than you would for their square predecessor's cost.
Clockwise from top to bottom: Saharosa/bigstock.com, aispl/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
An elderly woman’s kajimayâ party. We may not give our grandparents lavish birthday parties, but we can always give them a call.
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more details
spotlight Bonsai Coffee at TERRA
M Bonsai Hours of Operation
Thomas Alan Smilie
Monday–Friday: 6 a.m.–7 p.m. Weekends: 8 a.m.–7 p.m. mccsokinawa.com/bonsai mccsokinawa.com/terra 645-1246
CCS’ newest dining experience, TERRA, is finally here. The “international fusion” restaurant, located inside Camp Foster’s Building 9 next to the Westpac Lodge in the Kishaba Housing Area, brings a new dining experience to service members and their families on Okinawa. Not only can you get your fix of international fusion cuisine at TERRA, you can also pick
up a coffee on your way out. Bonsai Coffee Company’s newest location will be inside TERRA. Choose from a selection of single or double espressos and espresso drinks like an Americano, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, white chocolate mocha or the brewed coffee of the day. Bonsai also offers Tazo teas, hot chocolate and chai latte. In addition to a selection of fresh
pastries like scones, brownies and cookies, Bonsai has frozen blended drinks as well. Caramel cream, fruit and cream, mocha chip, white chocolate mocha, chai cream and almond joy blended drinks will make for a fine dessert after a meal at TERRA. Check out both Terra and Bonsai Coffee Company today for an out-ofthis-world dining experience!
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tours+
adventure begins here Hotel Alivila & Central Sites Tour September 10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $47, Children (6–12) $30, (4–5) $19 (under 4) FREE Explore the central areas of Okinawa. Start the day at the Zakimi Castle ruins, check out the Yomitan Museum and then the famous Cape Zampa Lighthouse. Break for lunch at the four-star, Spanish-style Hotel Alivila and then finish the day relaxing on the beach. Expo Park & Aquarium* September 11, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39, Children (16–17) $33 (12–15) $27, (6–11) $22, (under 6) FREE Head to Expo Park and visit Okinawa’s fourstory Churaumi Aquarium, watch a FREE dolphin show and visit an Okinawan Village or relax on Emerald Beach.
Shuri Mid-Autumn Celebration* September 17, 5–9:30 p.m. Adults $23, Children (3–11) $16 (under 3) FREE Tour the only fully-restored castle on Okinawa during the annual Autumn Festival. See traditional dances from the Ryukyu Kingdom and enjoy the festivities. Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono Dressing* September 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $53, Children (3–11) $38 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony that includes the preparation and presentation of matcha, the customary powdered green tea served around Japan. Discover the history behind kimonos and dress in a yukata, the traditional Japanese summer kimono. Afterwards, travel to Naha Main Place for lunch and shopping.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
off-baseevents get out and explore
Water Bubble Festival September 11, 1–9 p.m. Tropical Beach, Ginowan City Tickets: ¥3,500
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
Clockwise from left: Thomas Alan Smilie, Dundanim/bigstock.com
645-3521/3522
Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534
Okinawan Haunted House September 8–25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Outlet Mall Ashibina, Tomishiro City Tickets: ¥1,000
Tomarin Festa September 10–11, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Tomarin, Naha City FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Camp Hansen POW/MIA Remembrance Run September 16 Hansen House of Pain Register at the Camp Hansen Basketball Courts between 6–7:30 a.m. the day of the event. This event is FREE and open to participants island-wide. This is a remembrance run; there are no times or prizes. Details: 623-5569.
Open Power Lifting Competition September 24 Camp Courtney Ironworks Gym Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on September 19 for $10. Late registration is available from September 19 to 23 for $15 at Camp Courtney Ironworks Gym. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to top three finishers in each weight class. Details: 622-7297.
classof theweek Cycle Burn This one-hour class is sure to challenge everyone. You choose your own resistance, making the class as difficult as you want. Don’t be left in the dust, this is a must-try class. All camps. Visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness for a full schedule.