Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & Stories

Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, & Tori Toguchi
  • 5.0 (26)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & Stories

Okinawan.  Ryukyuan.  Loochooan. There are many more names for the peoples of these islands. Hear the many voices and stories of those identifying as Shimanchu or Uchinaanchu. Celebrating and preserving our culture, connecting the diaspora, and both proudly and humbly educating and learning along the way. Hosted by Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, and Tori Toguchi. Ichariba Choodee is a beautiful Ryukyuan saying translating roughly to, 'When we meet, we become brothers, sisters, family.'

  1. EPISODE 14 🌺 Solidarity & Movement Building

    04/09/2024

    EPISODE 14 🌺 Solidarity & Movement Building

    Step 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 liberation. Prepare to dive deep as the conversation navigates through various political landscapes and settler colonialism while shining a light on the path to Palestinian liberation. Discover actionable strategies, such as BDS, that empower listeners to engage in meaningful activism right in their own communities. However, it's not just about politics—it's about finding community in shared struggles and embracing the digital realm as a space for impactful resistance. Tune in and join the movement as we explore the power of solidarity and the journey to meaningful change. Photo used with permission: Mari Megumi, Seiji Igei, and Laura Kina

    1h 17m
  2. EPISODE 13 🌺 Okinawa (mis) Representation in Media

    11/27/2023

    EPISODE 13 🌺 Okinawa (mis) Representation in Media

    Do 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 spanning across academia, journalism, and entertainment. Ippee nifee debiru (thank you very much!) to Koji for providing this episode's music, ‘To Carry (On and On)!

    1h 18m
  3. EPISODE 12 🌺 Shimakutuba: Exploring the Languages of the Ryukyus

    01/03/2023

    EPISODE 12 🌺 Shimakutuba: Exploring the Languages of the Ryukyus

    In 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 Shimakutuba Fundraiser graphic we used for our background image for this episode!

    1h 39m

  4. 11/28/2022

    EPISODE 11 🌺 Intersections x Connections | On Being Kānaka Maoli & Shimanchu

    Join 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.

    1h 31m
  5. EPISODE 10 🌺 Anniversary Yuntaku

    08/11/2022

    EPISODE 10 🌺 Anniversary Yuntaku

    Assamiyo~ 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 what they are hopeful for in the future. Gratitude to our amazing editing team for their work this past year: Joey & Emma and a warm welcome to our new volunteers: Adriane, Kiera, Carol, Isabella, and Harumi! Looking forward to another wonderful year – Yutashiku unigeesabira!

    1h 9m
  6. EPISODE 9 🌺 Shimanchu Nu Kwii Magazine

    05/31/2022

    EPISODE 9 🌺 Shimanchu Nu Kwii Magazine

    In 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 to include our second Kickstarter backer interview with Marisa Kaneshiro. For our full show notes, please visit our website here: shimanchupodcast.com/episodes

    1h 7m
  7. EPISODE 8 🌺 Henoko: Scratching the Surface

    04/19/2022

    EPISODE 8 🌺 Henoko: Scratching the Surface

    Join 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 talk about a heavy and challenging topic. We acknowledge the factors at play evolve constantly, and some details may have changed since the original recording in March 2022. We wish to share these essential reflections to bring more consistent and timely updates to our community and listeners in addition to our regular programming. We are also pleased to include our first Kickstarter backer interview with the lovely Momi Cummings.

    1h 31m
  8. EPISODE 7 🌺 Yii Soogwachi Deebiru - Happy Lunar New Year

    01/13/2022

    EPISODE 7 🌺 Yii Soogwachi Deebiru - Happy Lunar New Year

    Yii 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!

    1h 38m
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About

Okinawan.  Ryukyuan.  Loochooan. There are many more names for the peoples of these islands. Hear the many voices and stories of those identifying as Shimanchu or Uchinaanchu. Celebrating and preserving our culture, connecting the diaspora, and both proudly and humbly educating and learning along the way. Hosted by Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, and Tori Toguchi. Ichariba Choodee is a beautiful Ryukyuan saying translating roughly to, 'When we meet, we become brothers, sisters, family.'

Information

  • Creator
    Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, & Tori Toguchi
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, & Tori Toguchi
  • Show Website
    Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & Stories

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