My Okinawa Library
Friends, I'm always looking for publications which offer
information about "pre-war" Okinawa. They're apparently
few and far between - in English language. If you know of
some - even one - please let me know! Thanks!
Friends, I'm always looking for publications which offer
information about "pre-war" Okinawa. They're apparently
few and far between - in English language. If you know of
some - even one - please let me know! Thanks!
Okinawa 1945 - Final Assault on the Empire
The Ryukyu Islands
TENNOZAN: The Battle of Okinawa and The Atomic Bomb
A Brief History of Early Okinawa Based on The Omoro Sôshi
Typhoon of Steel: the Battle for Okinawa
The Religion and Folklore of Okinawa
The Ship That Would Not Die
Tours of Okinawa: A Souvenir Guide to Places of Interest
Okinawa's Tragedy - Sketches from the Last Battle of WWII
Illustrated Festivals of Japan
Brave Ship Brave Men
Customs and Culture of Okinawa
The Yokota Officers Club
Intelligence Bulletin
Intelligence Bulletin
Okinawa: An Introduction
Why ... to Okinawa?
The Teahouse of the August Moon
A Pocket Guide to Okinawa
Okinawa Cookery and Culture
Opened Up in Okinawa
Journey to the Far Pacific
Reader's Digest
Torment
Okinawa in the News
The Okinawan Mind in Proverbs
Pacific War Diary 1942-1945
An American Woman in Okinawa "I wonder how the little girls in Shuri have the courage to come to Sunday-school with one of their brothers or sisters always on their back. How very strange it does seem when one stops to think of it. Today, in the midst of the preaching service, a woman with a little one on her back began shaking her body to keep the baby quiet. Coming home, I saw a woman with a tiny baby on the back, carrying a great earthen jar on her head. How she ever did it, I can’t imagine. Indeed, this was an entertaining and quick read.
Yankees in the Land of the Gods
The real object of the expedition should be concealed from public view, under a general understanding, that its main purpose shall be to examine the usual resorts of our whaling ships, with special reference to their protection, and the opening to them of new ports of refuge and refreshment. (Matthew Calbraith Perry, 1851)
The Dream of Hatsue Kawakami
"Dear friends, ... sometimes when I tell people to smile, I've heard them say, 'Whay have I to smile about.'
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(r)1999-2008
- Contact:Stephen A. Mick McClary
by Simon Foster
This book highlights the naval fighting which was at the heart of the battle for Okinawa. Using official US Navy and Marine Corps sources as well as British Admiralty and Japanese records, Foster has produced a dramatic narrative that fully reflects the hard-fought carrier actions, air strikes, Kamikaze assaults and battleship bombardments in a vital struggle.
Back Up
by Shannon McCune
This is an interesting and factual piece which discusses, in 1975, tidbits of information regarding the Okinawan people, the geography, geology, archeology, bathymetry and numerous other aspects of the islands of the Nansai Group. Brief presentation of the early history of Okinawa's struggle with its dual allegiance to China and Japan, its trade and culture. McCune handles the traditional way of life and brings us into the 20th century with economic advancement, plotics and the development of tourism.
It's a fine primer for those who visit the islands of the Ryukyu Kingdom and who want an understandable foundation of knowledge about the islands. I like this book because of its clarity and brevity, avoiding in-depth treatment of interests that are available in more scholarly works for those of us who care to know more.
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by George Feifer
I haven't read this book yet - just got it. Will give you a synopsis after I've read it. Looks like it will be another rather authoritative and detailed accounting of the Battle. Obviously, too, by its title I expect it to delve into operations on the mainland of Japan even after the close of the Ryukyu Campaign.
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by Mitsugu Sakihara
This is a beautiful little book that I was very fortunate to find and win at eBay, an on-line auction house.
Exquisitely insightful and easy to read. Its title tells you what it's about - not only is it rich with text about the early history of Uchinaa (Okinawa) but it is also chock-full of phrases in Japanese. Because of variation in language and dialects on Okinawa from one district to another, with some reluctance, the author decided to use standard Japanese readings for all terms except where otherwise noted.
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by James H. Belote & William M. Belote (c)1970
Textbook style, factual and quite readable. This is not a "picture book" yet it has a relatively small section of important photographs, mainly of the leadership of both sides of the conflict. There are also a number of combat and sequelae photos. Good reading!
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by Kanhan Teruya
A dandy monograph that explains much of the mystery of Okinawan religion and culture. The significance of polished rice; what's the story behind the Obon festival? Is Christianity suitable for the Okinawan culture?
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Book Club Edition, 1980
by F. Julian Becton, Rear Admiral, USN, Ret.
This is a moving story of a ship on a picket line that survived kamikaze attacks - not all did. The USS Laffey did and so did her skipper and crew. Read of dedicated sailors, professional in every way, and how they were determined to stay afloat - and to win!
Back Up
First Edition, 1959
by Gasei Higa, Isamu Fuchaku and Zenkichi Toyama
What a neat little book! 149 pages of tours that were conducted in the 1950s by the U.S. Army Services Clubs, Okinawa. What began as mimeographed "hand-out" guides for those who went on the tours, became so much in demand that this book was born. Illustrated with intricate drawings of the various sites, monuments and other attractions by Gasei Higa. This reminds me of the book that came along a generation later entitled, Okinawa by Road.
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by William T. Randall
A small paperback book only 72 pages in length but a book that tells the stories, first-hand, of what some of the battle's survivors experienced. Translated from accounts that appeared in a number of Japanese publications, Randall gives us two dozen short stories that speak volumes in terms of human suffering.
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(c)1989
by Japan Travel Bureau, Inc.
Handy little pocket-book that details the various festivals of Japan. Only a few traditional Okinawan festivals are mentioned and explained.
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(c)1964
by Arnold S. Lott, LtCmdr, USN, Ret.
Another stirring account of a picket ship off Okinawa. Unlike the USS Laffey, the USS Aaron Ward wasn't fortunate enough to sail home with her crew intact. She was towed and the surviving heroes were ever-after known as "Aaron Ward sailors" - a special breed. This is a book about boredom and hellaceous fury. This is a book about long watches followed by more brutally boring watches, one following the other until one day passed into the next. This book is about a fierce 52-minute struggle for survival!
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(c)1959 - 6th printing, 1967
Compiled by Gladys Zabilka
200 pages of the stuff you want to know. If you're looking for the meaning of festivals, the shishi or words and tabulature for dozens of native songs, go get this book! Originally written for American school children it soon became a "gotta have" item for any American visitor to Okinawa.
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a novel by Sarah Bird
This is one of the most fun books I've read in a long time. Although set in the 1960s - my first trip to Okinawa was in 1972 - I can still feel a lot of the emotion that went into this writing. Okinawa aside, there are tons of other aspects of growing up as a military brat that I can clearly associate with. Reading this book conjured up a lot of memories - not all of which were reflected upon in a fond or even comfortable way.
In this funny and moving novel, Bernie Root is returning to her family for the summer after her first year at a liberal West-Coast college. Her father, who was once a flyer, is now piloting a desk on Okinawa, and the family is living at Kadena Air Base. Bernie is happy to be back, but it's more obvious to her than ever that her oddball family is the only place she feels she fits in. With the exception of her beautiful, outgoing sister, Kit, Bernie's brothers and sister are as friendless as she is. Woven into Bernie's gradual realization of the isolation that Air Force life has forced on her and her family is the mystery of what happened to Fumiko, the family's maid at Yokota, where her father was stationed 10 years before. When Bernie wins a dance contest that allows her the opportunity to tour Japan with Bobby Moses, a washed-up comedian, she recognizes it as a chance to find Fumiko. Bird skillfully reveals what Bernie learns about both her family and herself on the tour.
Many of the places she visits on Okinawa ring familiarly and bring on thoughts of, "Ah!! I KNOW that place!" or "Yeah, I know whatcha mean." A fast clean read, worth every penny!
Back Up
September 1945
Military Intelligence Division, War Department
SOUVENIRS
MORALE AND SECURITY:
Japanese Military Morale
Jap Diaries
Japs Tighten Security
TACTICS
Defense of Critical Coastal Areas
Jack-in-the-Box
Small Island Cave Fortifications
Gas and Smoke
Bansai Attacks Discouraged
The "Octopus Pot"
Okinawa Artillery Target Designation
Independent Machine-Gun Battalions
JAP WEATHER FOR OCTOBER
MINES AND GRENADES:
Land Mines on Okinawa
Two New Jap Mines
Japanese Sling Grenade
Tests of Japanese Minefields
ARMOUR:
U.S. Forces Encounter Old Jap Tankette
Jap Flame Tank
WEAPONS:
Type 90 (1930) 75-mm Gun
Type 2 (1942) SP Gun
Remote Control Firing Device
The Jap 88
Jap Mortars for Artillery Projectiles
Japanese 75-mm AA Guns
Type 98 (1938) 4-ton Prime Mover
Jap Artillery Trailers
MISCELLANEOUS:
Japanese Signal Lamp
Bridges in Burma
Cover illustration: Japanese troops, assigned the defense of a critical beach area, move into a pillbox to engage an invading force. During the pre-invasion bombardment these troops took cover in previously prepared personnel shelters.
Back Up
Vol III No 12
August 1945
Military Intelligence Division, War Department
Latest Tactical Ideas
Jap Defenses in Batangas
Artillery on Okinawa
Jap Cammando Units
Jap Walkie-Talkie
City and Town Defense
Okinawa and Iwo Defenders well fed and Equipped
The Jap Holes In
Jap Air Tactics at Okinawa
Jap Weather for September
Tank Warfare on Luzon
Armored Communications
Jap Railway Procedures
New Jap Vehicles
Burma Pillboxes
Demolitions and Obstacles
Technical Notes:
New Rifle Grenade Launcher
Improved Ammunition Packaging
Japs' 305-mm Howitzer Resembles Their 240
Mechanical Sight for Antitank Gun
Small Island Minefields
Index to Volume III, Nos 7-12
Cover Illustration: On Okinawa, the Japanese emplaced the bulk of their artillery in heavily camouflaged caves. This was done even with heavy pieces. Here a Jap gun crew prepares to fire a Type 89 150-mm gun.
Back Up
by Christopher Ames and Hisashi Ashimine
Here's a 64 page, soft-cover book that's chock full of information. There is no copyright / publication date, but the introductory comments place its writing sometime between 1994 and the Fall of 2000.
Curiously, the book begins with discussion of the history of bullfighting on Okinawa. Abbreviated discussions follow regarding someof the history of Ryukyu and Okinawa, the American occupation, reversion and struggles after the return of Okinawa to Japan. I particularly enjoyed a table the author included that shows the dates of the lifespan and the reign of each of Ryukyu's Kings. I have not seen such information laid out in such a manner before - it makes for ready perspective while reading other books and papers on the ancient Kingdom. Although a bit pricey for its size and content, I'm very happy to have found it offered by the author on eBay.
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Inspiring story of Christian faith and commitment in a remote part of the globe.
by Dr. W. Gordon Ross
Here is a powerful little book (137 pages) that is a very quick read and amply rewarding! Doctor Ross focuses on the life and ideology of a single old Okinawan man from the little village of Shimabuku - Mr. Shosei Kina - a teacher, community leader, Karate expert, and Christian. This is no Bible-thumping sermon between the covers - instead it's a poignant treatment of one man's admiration for the goodness of another - an admiration that is cause for the author's return again to Okinawa. Historical references are largely drawn from Kerr (Okinawa: The History of an Island People) and from Nichols & Shaw (Okinawa, Victory in the Pacific).
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a play
by John Patrick
What needs to be said about this old classic play, based on the novel by Vern Sneider? A hilarious story of some of the difficulties faced by American soldiers in its occupation of Okinawa. It won the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the 1953-54 New York Critics Circle Award for the Best American Play.
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U.S. Government Printing Office
1968
This is a nifty little book, indeed a "pocket" book, measuring maybe 5" x 6" and 78 pages in length. Published by the Office of Information for the Armed Forces, Department of Defense, its purpose was to be a ready reference for newcomers to the Island. For its size I was surprised to see how much information is packed into this little gem. I've always regretted having not had the opportunity to be on Okinawa PRIOR to Reversion. I got there, the first time, 5 months after that occurred. The last page of the booklet encourages a guy to "Earn 10% on your savings..." Ya know, for 1968 10% wasn't bad!
Back Up
by Hui O Laulima, illustrated by Kirie Fujii
Soft back, spiral bound cookbook loaded with recipes and generously punctuated with lots of cultural commentary. The book was dedicated to early immigrants from Okinawa to Hawaii and to some whose parents who remained on Okinawa. Too bad I live so far inland now - can't get many ingredients necessary for authentic Okinawa cuisine. But I can still belt out one helluva tasty yakisoba and my kids (and, believe it or not, my wife) love my yakitori. I can cook up a terrific pan o' fried rice too! For more recipes I just can't get all the stuff I need! *sigh* Back to the book... one of my favorite parts is the history of the sweet potato! I'd never seen it so well defined in any other text.
Back Up
An Overseas Teaching Experience
by Marla Taviano
A spiritually guided account of a young student teacher's 10-week experience on Okinawa. A quick read, not too heavy and a lot of fun to read yet one other's perception of the tiny Pacific island and her people.
Back Up
by Thomas E. Dewey
Printed in 1952; having only a few years earlier defeated Japan in the great Pacific war and the U.S. faced with the odius task of formulating policy and making decisions about how Asia would be cared after, Governor Thomas E. Dewey cared to learn about the geopolitical conditions of countries of eastern Asia. He embarked upon an extended tour of 17 republics, kingdoms, territories and colonies. After completing his 41,000 mile journey he compiled the notes he had taken into this volume. Though Okinawa merits only a few comments in the entire book, I've included it anyway. Why? 'cause it's my library!
Back Up
November 1960
While reading Why... to Okinawa the author mentioned this issue of Reader's Digest that includes a story about the two old Okinawan men of Shimabuku. Owing to a certain mood at the time of my reading, I felt obligated to obtain a copy of the Digest and read it for myself. Good ol' eBay came through for me again! In less than 2 weeks I had the issue and read, The Village That Lives by the Bible.
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a novel
by "Bones" Rathbone with J.A. Hitchcock
I don't have many novels in my collection but this one was offered at a good price and was signed by the author so I got it.
In 1966, Sam "Slim" Scanlon was a 17-year-old with not a care in the world, hair"as long as Jesus," and on his way to the world of retail after college. His plan goes a bit off-track when he gets drafted and ends up in the Marine Corps. Long story short - he finishes his career in the Corps then retires with his wife and kids on Okinawa. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me! I still wonder why I didn't.....
Back Up
Stories from The Shimpo Weekly News, 2nd Edition
by A.P. Jenkins
The Hirugi Publishing Company, Okinawa, 1993. Here is a collection of news articles and stories gleaned from the Ryukyu Shimpo a weekly newspaper; put together by A. P. Jenkins, University of the Ryukyus. "The content is in good, basic English... iodiomatic expressions are rare... for a non-English speaking country the quality of the Shinpo (sic) English page is a remarkable achievement... In view of the scarcity of English language reports on Okinawa, [the] hard work of all concerned... should be gratefully appreciated." The Ryukyuanist, No.22, Summer 1993. Sold in 1993 for 880 yen.
Back Up
by Zenko Shimabukuro
A book of Okinawan proverbs, written for both Japanese and English-speaking people who are interested in Okinawa and her culture, especially in the Okinawan dialect. This book intends to introduce some of the Okinawan proverbs of ancient and modern times. Printed in English and in Japanese and profusely illustrated this is just a neat little book from which a reader must learn.
Back Up
The Secret Diary of an American Sailor
by James J. Fahey
A great insight from the point of view of a grunt sailor. Not your typical historical document, written by an admiral, general of committee of experts. Not written by a submarine commander, a bomber pilot or a soldier-turned-Senator. Here's a book written by a young "nobody" sailor who, knowing that it was against regulations, was driven anyway to maintain a daily journal. According to Edward L. Beach, Captain, USN, author of Run Silent, Run Deep, "It was contrary to Navy regs to keep a diary during World War II, but we are all gainers from James Fahey's violation of this rule. He wrote an extremely rare story, that of an ordinary sailor during the war, and because of him the world got an unusual view of it, and one of the best books about the war."
Back Up
Blanche Tilton Bull Diary: 1911-1913
edited by Carolyn B. Francis
Here's a easy-reading book containing diary entries by Bull, the wife of a United Methodist Church missionary. I enjoyed the book but was disappointed by its redundancy. Her life was quite repititious and predictable. Although giving a few insights into local culture, her diary was overladen with the details of day-to-day living, taking language classes, doing household chores and activities with the church. That's not to say that it was a boring read. I'd have enjoyed more first-hand accounts though of the people of Okinawa. There were some good parts that give some insight into the local culture:
One thing that interested me very much today was a load of stone which was being brought up the hill. It was on one of those queer two-wheeled wagons. In the front were four women At the back were three men, all pushing. In this particular case, the tongue was at the back but really I don’t believe there is any front or back to them. The men and women of this remarkable outfit were all happy as can be and how the women laughed when I passed them."
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Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan
by Peter Booth Wiley
So long as the Sun shall warm the earth, let no Christian dare to come to Japan; and, let all knowthat the King of Spain himself, or the Christian's God ... if he violates this command shall pay for it with his head." (Shogun's Edict of 1638)
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Photos by Blackie the Photographer
Here is a neat little hard-cover book, chock full of photos of Okinawa (mainly Naha and Hatsue's home village of Iju, Nakagusuku Son, and a section at the end on the Philippines) that are presumably taken by Blackie. Blackie the Photographer was famous for his ability to capture true Okinawan moments on film. A prolific artist and a softy at heart, he has this to say about the dreams of Hatsue:
I wish everyone could meet Hatsue Kawakami. She is always smiling [despite her] physical handicap. She has no feeling from the neck down ... I was shocked to hear that the cockroaches were eating on her but she was not aware of their biting. We need to get her ... a place to live and a chapel to fulfill her dream."
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P.O. Box 6245, Great Falls, Montana 59406
Updated: 2-24-08