Never Ending Discoveries in Okinawa, Japan

Decades Could be Spent Finding Them All

 

The question is asked frequently.

"Do you think you will ever run out of material to photograph and write about on Okinawa ?"

The answer is, "No."

The photo above, is an example of a recent find. 

In over 35 years of traveling up and down this island, I had never heard of or, seen this place.

It is called: Nishihara Village Office Wartime Underground Shelter.

It seems that, in the 1940's, the Japanese Imperial Army needed to occupy some buildings in town.

Local residents were (ahem-ahum) employed to dig this underground shelter.

That way they could store all the important papers and documents.

If you worked in the village office, you could take stuff out and work on it at home. 

Then, bring it back at night, to be stored in a safe.

A Quote From the Historical Marker

 

 

"Today, in Nishihara, the office shelter is one of the few important historical artifacts left from the war.

Such remains constantly remind us of the hardships and tragedies of war, even as its lessons fade with time."

This Old House Could Use Some American Lovin'

In the never-ending pursuit of photos for my Then and Now Series I found this beauty.

It's one of the few houses that survived the Battle of Okinawa.

Over 100 years old, it is a wooden home built without a single nail.

  

The photo, I borrowed off this historical sign, posted in front of the house.

Next, I cropped the sign some more so you could read it without me having to type a lot.

 This old house was the first postwar museum on the island of Okinawa.

And, it's still standing today.

It would make a great Then and Now story.

There is one small problem with me doing it.

Whatever type of funding the place was getting from the government has been cut off.

That's according to emails I have been getting from some reliable sources.

The valuable artifacts that were in this museum are now in the Okinawa Prefectural Museum. 

The place should have been declared a World Heritage Site.

It may be demolished for lack of the few pennies a day it would take to keep it standing.

Look at the historical documents on the first postwar museum.

Then, you'll understand why I say this old house could use some American lovin'.

TRUST ME.  I KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT FUNDRAISING.

But, if you do, we can do something about this situation.

Get with me on Facebook if you'd like to help.

Some military unit, church, base commander, chaplain, wives club, scout troop, housing agency,

 franchise, philanthropist, or even, a decent motorcycle gang, can save this old house.

Don't you think so?

More about the Higashionna Museum and Directions