Thank you Rob, i am 58 years old who born in viet nam. I live the santa barbara ca for 40 year now. My father pass away almost 3 years now at age 92. Now i kown my father was telling me the truth. I remember Okinawa is not what it is. He always this a country which he says 这是琉球国家. Then he said after ww2 the United states helps japan tooks this country. He keeps tell me this country has his own customs and own culture, own language and complete different than japanese. My dad live thourgh ww2 and saw his own eye how japanese chop off all the chinese head then left on river bank when his was teen in 广州佛山市九江鎮. This is where he was born then japan invade china which force him escape the war then migrate to viet nam. Unfortunately most history class never mentions much. Thank you again.
History was written by the victor and they distorted history in order to justify their action. It is well among us that Vietnam was a former of Province of China called ANNAM and Okinawa was the Kingdom of Ryuku. Ancient China had always protected the Kingdom of Ryuku until Japan discovered the opportunity to annex these lands. That was during the weak rule of a vain and weak Empress Dowager. Japan attacked China without provocation suddenly. China lost the war because of the corrupted Qing officials has misused the war budget and was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki in humiliation. Forced to pay Japan and Japan illegally annexed Taiwan Island. The people of Taiwan like Ryuku resisted and they were raped and murdered by millions.
Full support for your effort to independent cultural standing of Ryukyuan people! (coming from a chinese hainan islander(minnam speaker also) currently in canada)
It is known for Chinese that the last king of Ryukyu was dead in China, his and his family tomb still remains in nowadays China! Ryukyu local language is very close to Zhoushan dialect and could be understood by Chinese ! Fact: Ruykuy ancestors were from Fujian province of China culture seems very Chinese style! In a nutshell, Ruykuy was only given the administration right to Japan by USA privately, not sovereignty right ! Japan has never owned sovereignty right over Ruykuy ever! Not mentioned Diaoyu island at all! We Chinese Support Ruykuy independent !!
Ancient China did not have the mode of pirate aggression, because it was prosperous and large enough to not need to invade others. Luchu and China are close partners, though Luchu does not belong to China. Luchu is a tributary of Chinese civilization. Japan has committed massacres there, occupied it for more than a hundred years, and Japan-ized its language and culture. Yet Luchu is its own nation and culture.
What a great presentation on the history of China/Luchu (Liu Qiu) relationship! It is factual, concise, and very informational! I whole-heartedly support the Luchu Independent Movement! Way to go!
Making a show about geopolitics and how it affects China and Ryukyu, would be interesting as well. How the WEST especially the US is using the nations around China as a constricting device and how Ryukyu plays into it as it is being used as one of the most important link of that constricting chain. The only nation on Earth that currently has the ability to help the Ryukyuan cause is China along with its partner Russia, it would be nice to see a show where you tell your part of the Ryukyuan story to other youtube channels that deal with geopolitics like [alexander mercouris] and [the geopolitics in conflict show] to give more nuance to the role that Ryukyu plays in the greater chessboard of geopolitics that revolves around China/Russia/Iran vs. US/EU/Japan. Plus this would also give them more information in understanding the internal dynamics in Japan and how this affects its relationship with China. Putting this information on Chinese social media might probably help in informing the Chinese public about the sad fate of the Ryukyuan nation and awaken Chinese public interest to the Ryukyuan cause especially at this time of great geopolitical struggle and competition. Try getting in touch with Brian berletic of [the new atlas] youtube channel, he was a former US marine assigned in Okinawa, a place that awakened him of the truth that is the US empire.
I agree with what you said, most people in the west or around the world have zero idea what a tribute state is. The tribute state system is a product of confucianism, it's aim is to keep the peace of the region rather to exploit others, all Chinese does is to show other how powerful they are or how mighty they are and that's it. The Chinese empires in return making three promises, one is not appointing government officials on tribute state, not interfering with tribute state's internal politics or royal matters, and third is not to deploy troops within the tribute state kingdoms. In terms of tributes, it can be anything really, such as a small box of pearls gifted to the Chinese emperors on his birthday or other important date for paying respect. In return the emperor will grant the wishes of the tribute state such as trade related, or people exchange, or study related. Often the tribute state ends up gaining more than what they give for gifts. This system is completely different to the western colonialism.
@@thisiskevin1000 if Luchu wants to be a part of China, it should have that option as well. China could raise the quality of life on those islands by several magnitudes. Just being allied with China would do it too.
This history is fascinating! You give an incredibly accurate and truthful account of Luchu and China relationship, which is lacking in this world right now. 👍
@@pretzelezgamingz7764 what is one sided..? Ryuku got along with China. Japan forced them. The US then forced them because it wanted to use it against China. Historical fact
I watched a HK or Singapore food documentary long long time ago... some Okinawan's cooking methods, styles or something are similar to ancient China. Just saying.
Amazing history you're sharing. Very insightful with interesting details. Thank you! The Tributary visits Sound more like family visits. Imagine if China and LuuChuu went to dinner at Resutrant, they'll be topping over each other trying to pay the bill for the dinner. It's always a scene with Families😁😁😁😁
HELLO ROBERT 👋 I came across your site by pure chance. Few days ago when I was watching a UA-cam channel about how the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate the their New Year differently, the commentator said that while the Japanese now celebrate the New Year on January 1 (since the Meiji Reformation in the 18th century) which I was aware, what was new to me was that the UA-cam commentator also said that the Okinawans celebrate their new year slightly differently from other parts of Japan, in the sense that Okinawans celebrate both the Gregorian calender new year on January 1 AND ALSO the Lunar new year, on January 22, this year 2023. Is that True? Thank you.
Yes, it's true. Traditionally Luchuans / Okinawans celebrated the lunar new year. Since Japan invaded and illegally annexed Luchu, Gregorian / Western new year has become a major holiday for Luchuans, since that is what Japan recognizes. However, many Luchuans still celebrate the traditional lunar new year, particularly those in touch with the culture and spiritual traditions, since many Luchuan spiritual customs still revolve around the lunar calendar. By the way, the Meiji Restoration was in the 19th century, not the 18th.
@@RobKajiwaraOfficial Thank you for answering my question. Now MORE QUESTIONS... Do the Okinawans (the Luchuans) have your OWN LANGUAGE, different from Japanese language? 🤔 And if you do, is it still spoken, or it is a DEAD LANGUAGE TODAY? Also, HOW DIFFERENT is the native Okinawan language vis-a-vis (compared to) the mainstream Japanese language? Are they (native Okinawan language and Japanese) basically one and the same language? What is the language SPOKEN BY NATIVE OKINAWANS today, and what is the language used and spoken in Okinawa today??? ALSO, what is the native Okinawan language called? Does it have a specific name, like for example, Mandarin Chinese or Putonghua? ALL ALONG, I have assumed that Japanese language is the only language spoken in Okinawa today, in fact throughout the length and breadth of Japan. Pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong and thank you for taking your time to answer. Truth is, I have very MANY QUESTIONS to ask ABOUT OKINAWA (e.g. about the population makeup of Okinawa yesterday and today, the native Okinawan culture, the tie between Okinawans and the Japanese emperor etc. etc.) But one at a time. My guess is that >99% of the WORLD POPULATION is IGNORANT ABOUT OKINAWA and your people, culture and history. You have a very high mountain ⛰ to climb, facing such formidable opponents such as Japan and the US which are trying their level best to shut you out of the mainstream consciousness. 🤔 Also just to let you know, I enjoy your UA-cam presentation and also I learnt a lot from you. Arigato gozaimasu. assume all along Japanese language
@@RobKajiwaraOfficial Hi 👋 Robert, AFTER posting the questions above about Okinawan language, I came across your UA-cam "Is Okinawan a dialect of Japanese or a separate language?" which help to answer some of the questions. Thank you anyway.
Now I understand better the history between China and Japan, having that the Chinese and Japanese were mostly throughout history not really in good terms and how the Chinese culture spread to Japan. It was Luuchoo that was the bridge between these two nations and Luuchoo itself being a great nation that has the best of both worlds. Hopefully we see the independence and resurgence of Luuchoo and it's culture all over the world. ❤
No! It’s becuz China always give MORE than what they receive, and that’s why China politely asked Luchuu to give tribute less becuz they wouldn’t be able to give as much as what they always gave to them. He explained it in the video as well.
Hi, Rob. I'm Korean. I know how much you love Ryukyu. Do you want to protect Ryukyu's culture and language? Unfortunately, the continuity of language ultimately depends on money. ryukyu island must either stand on its own feet and revive significantly or receive money from the Japanese government. Otherwise, the Ryukyu people will continue to escape the island The Ryukyu independents are trying now is to stimulate the Japanese government through close relationship with china. It may be a radical tactic, but it is a cliff tactic that signals the importance of Ryukyu Island. I wonder what you intend. Are you confident that you will succeed in your strategy?
If Ryukyu becomes independent, many Chinese will pour/invest a lot of money into this new country. A very good example will be Hainan Island, flood with millions of Chinese tourists & investment money. So Ryukyu will need to re-think how to accommodate so many tourists and its development plan with plentiful money in hand!
@@thomastc4535 That's for sure. For thousands of years China has been the best friend of Ryukyu(Luchu). I even believe the Luchuan people share the common ancestors with Chinese.
i recently have watched some videos in which young girls sing chinese songs. i want to know, what is thr porpotion of ryukyu population prefer china than jp.
Japan occupied the country & this is the reason why a lot of okinawan celebrities refused to sing the Japanese national anthem. When I visited Okinawa, an elderly shopowner was very friendly to me when he heard that I was a Korean, and said 'Koreans got freed but we are still occupied'. Also Okinawans are not treated the same as original Japanese ppl ( so many civilians were killed by the Japanese army and even babies were killed because they believed there were American spies amongst them. if they truly thought Ryukyu was part of their country, then they wouldn't be killing their own civilians like that ) just like how Japan still discriminates against Korean Japanese people. There are also many Okinawa natives who still rally for the independence of Ryukyu. Free Ryukyu !
San Francisco peace treaty signed by 49 countries decided Japanese sovereingty over Sennkaku islands, Okinawa..China and Japan peace treaty decided、the Republic of China accepts San Francisco Peace Treaty。
Make sure to verify your information before posting. The Treaty of San Francisco was not signed by either the ROC or the PRC. Both governments, the ROC and the PRC, currently assert their sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.
Please refer to the original historical records, avoiding biased media coverage or individual politicians' claims that deviate from established historical facts and official documents. As a historian and legal professional by training, I have thoroughly examined the original documents pertaining to the San Francisco Treaty, which bear legal effects. It is an incontrovertible historical fact that neither the Republic of China (ROC) nor the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed the treaty. While Taiwan presently operates under the framework of the ROC, Tsai Ing-wen appears to lack a comprehensive understanding of the current ROC constitution. According to the prevailing constitution of the ROC, there exists a unified China encompassing the Chinese mainland. The ROC has not officially acknowledged the Diaoyu Islands as part of Japan. Since you can read Chinese, I encourage you to visit the official website of the ROC Foreign Ministry, where this stance is clearly stated. Here is the link: www.mofa.gov.tw/cp.aspx?n=215
China has begin supporting the Independence of Kingdom of Ryuku which was forcefully annexed by Meiji Japan in 1876. The first representative of the Ryuku will be stationed in China by July 2023. Before the Japanese Imperial Army left Ryuku during WW2, 200,000 families suddenly gone missing. According to some historians, they were massacred much like the other in headless graves found all over Asia. US which was administering Okinawa after WW2 has acted in Mala fide by illegally handing over the administration of Okinawa to Japan instead of handing the administration back to the people as per Potsdam Treaty.
Fabrications , fabrications. Yes, agreed, Nanjing was a slaughter. But it was perpetrated by Chinese on Chinese. On their way to Nanjing Japanese servicemen found the corpses of the laobaixing abducted by the KMT army chained to their trenches and pillboxes. When the IJA reached Nanjing, mounds of corpses piled up inside the gates made it impossible to open the gates from the outside. The poor Chinese laobaixing had been executed by strafing as they fled in front of machine-guns manned by what was left of Chiang's German-trained elite divisions. General Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) had sworn to defend the capital to the last instead of declaring Nanjing open city and spare unnecessary bloodshed. But he and his HQ fled at the last minute, as the IJA entered the city. The Chinese troops, left to their own means had looted, raped and started fires. Like many other members of the KMT Army brass, General Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) joined the communists in 1949. You can surmise that the rascally general was already serving the communists when his cowardly, shameful betrayal occurred at Nanjing.
Great presentation, Robert. You know your history. The relationship is well documented and understood by those who seek to know the real history of Okinawa. China historically posed no threat to Okinawa. It did not serve any purpose at that time to invade or control Okinawa beyond this tributary and trading relationship. But that is not the case today. America and Japan aside, China has new ambitions and motives that do not match its earlier history. To say they pose no threat to the sovereignty of Okinawa is naive. They took Tibet,also a soveriegn nation at that time. They are expanding into the South China Sea in the face of the World Court defending the Philippines claim to many of those islands and area. They are a threat to Taiwan also which was never a part of the PRC. And they have a strategic incentive to take control of the Ryukyuan Islands. They want an outer ring of defenses to protect their vulnerable coast. You must look beyond the historical record and focus on contemporary global realities. I am all for recognition of Luchuan rights and either total sovereignty or an autonomous relationship with Japan. But to just remove the American and Japanese defenses for the sake of Luchuan pride is lunacy. China will take you and use you whether you believe it or not. Just as a self introduction, I am an American, former Marine officer, BA in Asian Studies, former resident of Okinawa and married to an Okinawan for almost 40 years. I did a thesis paper on the origins of Okinawans back in the 1980's that hypothosized Okinawans are descendents of the Jomon people. Later DNA analysis proved that to be correct. I will retire there soon in Nago and start my studies of Yanbaru kutuuba. I hope to help preserve that endangered language in some way. My now deceased father in law was a big part of the opposition to the relocation of Futenma airbase to Henoko. So I am fully in support of increased autonomy for Okinawa and it possibly becoming a nation of neutrality and peace promotion. What political form that takes is beyond my abilities. But please understand the China of today is not the China of the past. There is a lot more to be said and discussed about this. This forum is not ideal for that. I just hope for the best for Okinawa.
Seems you never really know about the history of East Asia! You should go and read a lot more history lessons before you post your non-sense history about China. The West and USA, even today, use its GUNS & Weapons to kill people around the World! LOL!
Tony Ward, you look at China through your own cultural heritage and upbringing. Yes, American like other westerners come, they see and they conquer, so you think everyone on earth will do the same. If the theory don't work, then create lies to make good the hypothesis. Like uighur genocide, tibetan genocide, Hong Kong genocide, and now future Taiwan and Liuchiu genocide. The fact is, all neighbors with China have their boundary with China unchanged for thousands of years. And throughout these thousand of years China was rich and powerful. These border states all fell into European colonial exploitation when China was defeated by westerners a hundred years ago. Now China is coming back and we are seeing a revival of East Asia as a prosperous region again. Liuchiu people and other peaceful Asian must keep war mongers away.
@jimmyyu5115 When Chinese literati educated in the Chinese Classics who served their Manchu overlords deemed themselves “humble slaves" of their Manchu Emperor, Tibet was another autonomous, self-governing domain of the Manchus, separate from that other domain of the Manchus, “China"(支那). Please, desist from taking advantage of our westerner’s ignorance. China needs to return inside its Great Wall and then split further into smaller territorial entities each corresponding to the PRC’s present military regions for the Indo-Pacific to know peace. And the oppressed ethnic minorities inside the area known as “China” (支那) need to be emancipated. There were neither Han nor Hakka people living in the area known as “China” (支那) before the 1911 revolution which gave rise to Chinese nationalism (中華民族主義) and expansionism, of which Rob Kajiwara is a deluded tool who deserves scrutiny.
Do you think Osaka o Miami will get independence？ first of all you need to find some evidences from history，and then we can talk. talk like an adult it will help
Ryukyuan, also sounds exactly the same with Taiwanese. Well, if Okinawa would like to become NEXT Hong Kong, Chinese Communist Party more than happy to launch Okinawa national security law to protect you. In order to purify your mind, Chinese Communist Party will send you Xi thoughts to study. Your motherland must help you and protect you from your brain to your movement. Moreover, Okinawa people become Chinese, and hold Chinese passports. You could entry North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran...freely, how wonderful!!
Why did you mention China? Ryukyu is an independent country, as all Chinese know.😂History is irreversible because it happened in the past. Why can't they have a Ryukyu Kingdom passport? The Ryukyuans must love it.
"Ancient China did not have the mode of pirate aggression, because it was prosperous and large enough to not need to invade others. Luchu and China are close partners. Though Luchu is not part China, it is a tributary of Chinese civilization. Satsuma and later Japan committed genocide there. Japan has occupied it for more than a hundred years Japanizing its language and culture. Yet Luchu is its own nation and culture." @junkuifu9827
Thank you Rob, i am 58 years old who born in viet nam. I live the santa barbara ca for 40 year now. My father pass away almost 3 years now at age 92. Now i kown my father was telling me the truth. I remember Okinawa is not what it is. He always this a country which he says 这是琉球国家. Then he said after ww2 the United states helps japan tooks this country. He keeps tell me this country has his own customs and own culture, own language and complete different than japanese. My dad live thourgh ww2 and saw his own eye how japanese chop off all the chinese head then left on river bank when his was teen in 广州佛山市九江鎮. This is where he was born then japan invade china which force him escape the war then migrate to viet nam. Unfortunately most history class never mentions much. Thank you again.
History was written by the victor and they distorted history in order to justify their action.
It is well among us that Vietnam was a former of Province of China called ANNAM and Okinawa was the Kingdom of Ryuku.
Ancient China had always protected the Kingdom of Ryuku until Japan discovered the opportunity to annex these lands. That was during the weak rule of a vain and weak Empress Dowager.
Japan attacked China without provocation suddenly.
China lost the war because of the corrupted Qing officials has misused the war budget and was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki in humiliation. Forced to pay Japan and Japan illegally annexed Taiwan Island.
The people of Taiwan like Ryuku resisted and they were raped and murdered by millions.
Well done video. Ive never knew China and Ryukyu had such complex History.
Full support for your effort to independent cultural standing of Ryukyuan people! (coming from a chinese hainan islander(minnam speaker also) currently in canada)
It is known for Chinese that the last king of Ryukyu was dead in China, his and his family tomb still remains in nowadays China!
Ryukyu local language is very close to Zhoushan dialect and could be understood by Chinese ! Fact: Ruykuy ancestors were from Fujian province of China culture seems very Chinese style! In a nutshell, Ruykuy was only given the administration right to Japan by USA privately, not sovereignty right ! Japan has never owned sovereignty right over Ruykuy ever! Not mentioned Diaoyu island at all! We Chinese Support Ruykuy independent !!
准确的解释是这样：琉球不属于中国。如果需要严格定义琉球与中国的关系的话，琉球与中国是兄弟关系，琉球是小弟，是藩属国/卫星国；中国是大哥，中央王朝。古中国/中央王朝没有像西方列强那样的海盗侵略基因，因为本就足够繁荣够大，不必再侵略别人，最多就是喜欢装装逼展示自己强大，以德服人。不然的话，以当时中国的技术和航海实力和经济实力和军力，早在西班牙和英国人之前就已经侵略全世界了。琉球虽不属于中国，但是中华文明的一部分。这才是真实的历史，不容改变！日本在这里制造过几十万人的大屠杀，并已经占领占领这里一百多年，把这里的语言文化已经尽量日化。但琉球依然还是一个独立的民族，独立的文化。懂英语的翻译下，就那么简单的一个事实😊
Ancient China did not have the mode of pirate aggression, because it was prosperous and large enough to not need to invade others. Luchu and China are close partners, though Luchu does not belong to China. Luchu is a tributary of Chinese civilization. Japan has committed massacres there, occupied it for more than a hundred years, and Japan-ized its language and culture. Yet Luchu is its own nation and culture.
@@tsunetasora thank you for translation
Well said.
What a great presentation on the history of China/Luchu (Liu Qiu) relationship! It is factual, concise, and very informational! I whole-heartedly support the Luchu Independent Movement! Way to go!
Making a show about geopolitics and how it affects China and Ryukyu, would be interesting as well. How the WEST especially the US is using the nations around China as a constricting device and how Ryukyu plays into it as it is being used as one of the most important link of that constricting chain. The only nation on Earth that currently has the ability to help the Ryukyuan cause is China along with its partner Russia, it would be nice to see a show where you tell your part of the Ryukyuan story to other youtube channels that deal with geopolitics like [alexander mercouris] and [the geopolitics in conflict show] to give more nuance to the role that Ryukyu plays in the greater chessboard of geopolitics that revolves around China/Russia/Iran vs. US/EU/Japan. Plus this would also give them more information in understanding the internal dynamics in Japan and how this affects its relationship with China. Putting this information on Chinese social media might probably help in informing the Chinese public about the sad fate of the Ryukyuan nation and awaken Chinese public interest to the Ryukyuan cause especially at this time of great geopolitical struggle and competition. Try getting in touch with Brian berletic of [the new atlas] youtube channel, he was a former US marine assigned in Okinawa, a place that awakened him of the truth that is the US empire.
He has Weibo
Ryukyu deserved to be independent, free from being a US missile silo and they having their own society
I stand behind Liuqiu! ✊ I hope you will once day regain your sovereignty and be free from the colonizers. 🙏
I agree with what you said, most people in the west or around the world have zero idea what a tribute state is. The tribute state system is a product of confucianism, it's aim is to keep the peace of the region rather to exploit others, all Chinese does is to show other how powerful they are or how mighty they are and that's it. The Chinese empires in return making three promises, one is not appointing government officials on tribute state, not interfering with tribute state's internal politics or royal matters, and third is not to deploy troops within the tribute state kingdoms. In terms of tributes, it can be anything really, such as a small box of pearls gifted to the Chinese emperors on his birthday or other important date for paying respect. In return the emperor will grant the wishes of the tribute state such as trade related, or people exchange, or study related. Often the tribute state ends up gaining more than what they give for gifts. This system is completely different to the western colonialism.
I hope one day in the near future Luchu will become independent again, free from invasion and colonialism.
An efficient buffer state between China and Japan like Mongolia and the Central Asian -stans does with Russia
@@thisiskevin1000 if Luchu wants to be a part of China, it should have that option as well. China could raise the quality of life on those islands by several magnitudes. Just being allied with China would do it too.
This history is fascinating! You give an incredibly accurate and truthful account of Luchu and China relationship, which is lacking in this world right now. 👍
Excellent video, very educational and the ending was brilliant, no fear of Chinese aggression says a lot. Thank you.
Western paranoia
Oh. Please. Boy how about western aggression! Please don’t be one sided.
@@pretzelezgamingz7764 what is one sided..? Ryuku got along with China. Japan forced them. The US then forced them because it wanted to use it against China. Historical fact
Never knew that ryukyu is an independent country, thanks for explaining that
Thank you Rob!
琉球当然不是中国的一部分！琉球王国一直都是一个自主独立的国家。当然历史上琉球王国跟中国/中华帝国有非常悠久的关系！
I believe that there are many cultural ties and exchange between 琉球 and Fujian. Example white crane boxing and karate
Love Ryukyu.
A great presentation. I hope Ryukyuan can become independent soon.
琉球加油！
@@日本人-j1s 恢复琉球王国!
Very illuminating. Keep your flag flying
希望琉球政府把自己的历史文献保存好！
I support you Rob and had started sharing your videos with my friends and the public to expose the dark history of Luchu.Thank you!!!
Thanks for sharing! Really hope Luchu people can restore its sovereignty soon enough !
I watched a HK or Singapore food documentary long long time ago... some Okinawan's cooking methods, styles or something are similar to ancient China. Just saying.
Great video..now it's time to make a movie about Luuuichoo
Our movie is coming soon!
@@RobKajiwaraOfficial wow! That's awesome!
Thanks for giving the real history!
More people need to watch this video.
Professional and honest video, commendable
比嘉大叔加油
Amazing history you're sharing. Very insightful with interesting details. Thank you!
The Tributary visits Sound more like family visits. Imagine if China and LuuChuu went to dinner at Resutrant, they'll be topping over each other trying to pay the bill for the dinner. It's always a scene with Families😁😁😁😁
HELLO ROBERT 👋
I came across your site by pure chance.
Few days ago when I was watching a UA-cam channel about how the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate the their New Year differently, the commentator said that while the Japanese now celebrate the New Year on January 1 (since the Meiji Reformation in the 18th century) which I was aware, what was new to me was that the UA-cam commentator also said that the Okinawans celebrate their new year slightly differently from other parts of Japan, in the sense that Okinawans celebrate both the Gregorian calender new year on January 1 AND ALSO the Lunar new year, on January 22, this year 2023.
Is that True? Thank you.
Yes, it's true. Traditionally Luchuans / Okinawans celebrated the lunar new year. Since Japan invaded and illegally annexed Luchu, Gregorian / Western new year has become a major holiday for Luchuans, since that is what Japan recognizes. However, many Luchuans still celebrate the traditional lunar new year, particularly those in touch with the culture and spiritual traditions, since many Luchuan spiritual customs still revolve around the lunar calendar. By the way, the Meiji Restoration was in the 19th century, not the 18th.
@@RobKajiwaraOfficial Thank you for answering my question.
Now MORE QUESTIONS...
Do the Okinawans (the Luchuans) have your OWN LANGUAGE, different from Japanese language? 🤔 And if you do, is it still spoken, or it is a DEAD LANGUAGE TODAY?
Also, HOW DIFFERENT is the native Okinawan language vis-a-vis (compared to) the mainstream Japanese language? Are they (native Okinawan language and Japanese) basically one and the same language?
What is the language SPOKEN BY NATIVE OKINAWANS today, and what is the language used and spoken in Okinawa today???
ALSO, what is the native Okinawan language called? Does it have a specific name, like for example, Mandarin Chinese or Putonghua?
ALL ALONG, I have assumed that Japanese language is the only language spoken in Okinawa today, in fact throughout the length and breadth of Japan. Pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong and thank you for taking your time to answer.
Truth is, I have very MANY QUESTIONS to ask ABOUT OKINAWA (e.g. about the population makeup of Okinawa yesterday and today, the native Okinawan culture, the tie between Okinawans and the Japanese emperor etc. etc.) But one at a time.
My guess is that >99% of the WORLD POPULATION is IGNORANT ABOUT OKINAWA and your people, culture and history. You have a very high mountain ⛰ to climb, facing such formidable opponents such as Japan and the US which are trying their level best to shut you out of the mainstream consciousness. 🤔
Also just to let you know, I enjoy your UA-cam presentation and also I learnt a lot from you.
Arigato gozaimasu.
assume all along Japanese language
@@RobKajiwaraOfficial Hi 👋 Robert,
AFTER posting the questions above about Okinawan language, I came across your UA-cam "Is Okinawan a dialect of Japanese or a separate language?" which help to answer some of the questions. Thank you anyway.
支持琉球！
Glad chinese people are pro Ryukyu independence
Well, of course, Chinese are educated that Ryukyu was a tributary state. Chinese respected Ryukyu's independence then and now.
Excellent scholarship.
True story 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Pray for Luchuan 🙏
做的對向世界說出真相，琉球復國加油！
Should go to UN to fight for independence.
File a lawsuit before the International Court of Justice vs Japan
Very informative presentation.👍👍Now I have a better understanding of China-Okinawa relationship. Thanks❤
Now I understand better the history between China and Japan, having that the Chinese and Japanese were mostly throughout history not really in good terms and how the Chinese culture spread to Japan. It was Luuchoo that was the bridge between these two nations and Luuchoo itself being a great nation that has the best of both worlds. Hopefully we see the independence and resurgence of Luuchoo and it's culture all over the world. ❤
the best for Ryukyu people
Luchu along with Hawaii are both on the same metaphorical boat
You must be in the crosshair of the CIA and PSIA. Stay safe man.
At 9.07, "at one point China's treasury began to be depleted, causing China to ask Luuchuans to give less often", it should read Luuchuan"s treasury
No! It’s becuz China always give MORE than what they receive, and that’s why China politely asked Luchuu to give tribute less becuz they wouldn’t be able to give as much as what they always gave to them. He explained it in the video as well.
Hope we can be buddies again soon! 👏👏👏👍👍👍💪💪💪
琉球王国复兴计划，第一步：独立！东亚新星！
Hi, Rob. I'm Korean. I know how much you love Ryukyu. Do you want to protect Ryukyu's culture and language?
Unfortunately, the continuity of language ultimately depends on money.
ryukyu island must either stand on its own feet and revive significantly or receive money from the Japanese government. Otherwise, the Ryukyu people will continue to escape the island
The Ryukyu independents are trying now is to stimulate the Japanese government through close relationship with china. It may be a radical tactic, but it is a cliff tactic that signals the importance of Ryukyu Island.
I wonder what you intend.
Are you confident that you will succeed in your strategy?
If Ryukyu becomes independent, many Chinese will pour/invest a lot of money into this new country. A very good example will be Hainan Island, flood with millions of Chinese tourists & investment money. So Ryukyu will need to re-think how to accommodate so many tourists and its development plan with plentiful money in hand!
@@thomastc4535 That's for sure. For thousands of years China has been the best friend of Ryukyu(Luchu). I even believe the Luchuan people share the common ancestors with Chinese.
Free Liuqiu! 琉球独立！
i recently have watched some videos in which young girls sing chinese songs. i want to know, what is thr porpotion of ryukyu population prefer china than jp.
Liu Qiu independence... keep fighting.
Sadly Qing China was too weak to protect Luchu from the marauding Japanese from the North!
Japan occupied the country & this is the reason why a lot of okinawan celebrities refused to sing the Japanese national anthem. When I visited Okinawa, an elderly shopowner was very friendly to me when he heard that I was a Korean, and said 'Koreans got freed but we are still occupied'. Also Okinawans are not treated the same as original Japanese ppl ( so many civilians were killed by the Japanese army and even babies were killed because they believed there were American spies amongst them. if they truly thought Ryukyu was part of their country, then they wouldn't be killing their own civilians like that ) just like how Japan still discriminates against Korean Japanese people. There are also many Okinawa natives who still rally for the independence of Ryukyu. Free Ryukyu !
I for one, strongly believe that Luuchuu and the Luuchuuans will return to their former glory and sovereignty. Keep the faith!
支持琉球自治！Support from China is needed and very important！
San Francisco peace treaty signed by 49 countries decided Japanese sovereingty over Sennkaku islands,
Okinawa..China and Japan peace treaty decided、the Republic of China accepts San Francisco Peace Treaty。
Make sure to verify your information before posting. The Treaty of San Francisco was not signed by either the ROC or the PRC. Both governments, the ROC and the PRC, currently assert their sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.
@@hyung-deokshin6935 ~~1、人民日報寫『周恩来為舊金山会議寫「小笠原群島、琉球群島是日本領土。國際協定中、没有脱離日本。」』。～～～2，中日和約決定「中華民國接受舊金山和約。」～～～1955年以来、中華民國行政区画表寫「釣魚島是日本琉球群島之一部分。
@@hyung-deokshin6935 ～～～verify myself,all right.~~~Ⅰ am an Asian。Ⅰ am not a suspicious person.
我尊敬観世音菩薩、司馬遷、李白、周恩来先生、李登輝先生。我愛台湾和台湾人。我一直注意、我説話、不可以傷害別人。
@@islandbreeze6728周恩来什么在人民日报上说的，说清楚。我查到的都是周恩来否认旧金山会议合约合法性的声明。单方面的协议有狗屁的合法性
Please refer to the original historical records, avoiding biased media coverage or individual politicians' claims that deviate from established historical facts and official documents. As a historian and legal professional by training, I have thoroughly examined the original documents pertaining to the San Francisco Treaty, which bear legal effects. It is an incontrovertible historical fact that neither the Republic of China (ROC) nor the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed the treaty. While Taiwan presently operates under the framework of the ROC, Tsai Ing-wen appears to lack a comprehensive understanding of the current ROC constitution. According to the prevailing constitution of the ROC, there exists a unified China encompassing the Chinese mainland. The ROC has not officially acknowledged the Diaoyu Islands as part of Japan. Since you can read Chinese, I encourage you to visit the official website of the ROC Foreign Ministry, where this stance is clearly stated. Here is the link: www.mofa.gov.tw/cp.aspx?n=215
NO but Japan did then dumped the USA military base out of Japan proper on to LIUCHU !❤❤❤
Free Liuqiu!
琉球群島獨立！
Back to the root
China has begin supporting the Independence of Kingdom of Ryuku which was forcefully annexed by Meiji Japan in 1876.
The first representative of the Ryuku will be stationed in China by July 2023.
Before the Japanese Imperial Army left Ryuku during WW2, 200,000 families suddenly gone missing. According to some historians, they were massacred much like the other in headless graves found all over Asia.
US which was administering Okinawa after WW2 has acted in Mala fide by illegally handing over the administration of Okinawa to Japan instead of handing the administration back to the people as per Potsdam Treaty.
Fabrications , fabrications. Yes, agreed, Nanjing was a slaughter. But it was perpetrated by Chinese on Chinese.
On their way to Nanjing Japanese servicemen found the corpses of the laobaixing abducted by the KMT army chained to their trenches and pillboxes. When the IJA reached Nanjing, mounds of corpses piled up inside the gates made it impossible to open the gates from the outside. The poor Chinese laobaixing had been executed by strafing as they fled in front of machine-guns manned by what was left of Chiang's German-trained elite divisions.
General Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) had sworn to defend the capital to the last instead of declaring Nanjing open city and spare unnecessary bloodshed. But he and his HQ fled at the last minute, as the IJA entered the city. The Chinese troops, left to their own means had looted, raped and started fires.
Like many other members of the KMT Army brass, General Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) joined the communists in 1949. You can surmise that the rascally general was already serving the communists when his cowardly, shameful betrayal occurred at Nanjing.
Mudan incident lmao
As a Chinese, I'm sorry for how the Qing government failed u in history!
無理がある理論でしょ。
琉球が明や清の冊封国だった歴史があっても
日本と江戸幕府は違う存在だし、清国と中華人民共和国も同様。
沖縄も同様に琉球王国ではない。
ソビエト連邦はロシア帝国でも無い。
時間を巻き戻すなんて出来ないんですけど。
万世一系じゃん。日本人がよく言ってた。
激減した琉球民族の人口、大和化された苗字、方言札という無理矢理の言語抹殺手段などを見れば、日本人は琉球という民族の独立性を尊重してると思えない。
Great presentation, Robert. You know your history. The relationship is well documented and understood by those who seek to know the real history of Okinawa. China historically posed no threat to Okinawa. It did not serve any purpose at that time to invade or control Okinawa beyond this tributary and trading relationship. But that is not the case today. America and Japan aside, China has new ambitions and motives that do not match its earlier history. To say they pose no threat to the sovereignty of Okinawa is naive. They took Tibet,also a soveriegn nation at that time. They are expanding into the South China Sea in the face of the World Court defending the Philippines claim to many of those islands and area. They are a threat to Taiwan also which was never a part of the PRC. And they have a strategic incentive to take control of the Ryukyuan Islands. They want an outer ring of defenses to protect their vulnerable coast. You must look beyond the historical record and focus on contemporary global realities. I am all for recognition of Luchuan rights and either total sovereignty or an autonomous relationship with Japan. But to just remove the American and Japanese defenses for the sake of Luchuan pride is lunacy. China will take you and use you whether you believe it or not. Just as a self introduction, I am an American, former Marine officer, BA in Asian Studies, former resident of Okinawa and married to an Okinawan for almost 40 years. I did a thesis paper on the origins of Okinawans back in the 1980's that hypothosized Okinawans are descendents of the Jomon people. Later DNA analysis proved that to be correct. I will retire there soon in Nago and start my studies of Yanbaru kutuuba. I hope to help preserve that endangered language in some way. My now deceased father in law was a big part of the opposition to the relocation of Futenma airbase to Henoko. So I am fully in support of increased autonomy for Okinawa and it possibly becoming a nation of neutrality and peace promotion. What political form that takes is beyond my abilities. But please understand the China of today is not the China of the past. There is a lot more to be said and discussed about this. This forum is not ideal for that. I just hope for the best for Okinawa.
No, Tibet was not an independent state at that time. Tibet was not a tribute state, it was part of the Qing Dynasty of China.
Seems you never really know about the history of East Asia! You should go and read a lot more history lessons before you post your non-sense history about China. The West and USA, even today, use its GUNS & Weapons to kill people around the World! LOL!
Tony Ward, you look at China through your own cultural heritage and upbringing. Yes, American like other westerners come, they see and they conquer, so you think everyone on earth will do the same. If the theory don't work, then create lies to make good the hypothesis. Like uighur genocide, tibetan genocide, Hong Kong genocide, and now future Taiwan and Liuchiu genocide.
The fact is, all neighbors with China have their boundary with China unchanged for thousands of years. And throughout these thousand of years China was rich and powerful. These border states all fell into European colonial exploitation when China was defeated by westerners a hundred years ago. Now China is coming back and we are seeing a revival of East Asia as a prosperous region again. Liuchiu people and other peaceful Asian must keep war mongers away.
@jimmyyu5115
When Chinese literati educated in the Chinese Classics who served their Manchu overlords deemed themselves “humble slaves" of their Manchu Emperor, Tibet was another autonomous, self-governing domain of the Manchus, separate from that other domain of the Manchus, “China"(支那). Please, desist from taking advantage of our westerner’s ignorance. China needs to return inside its Great Wall and then split further into smaller territorial entities each corresponding to the PRC’s present military regions for the Indo-Pacific to know peace. And the oppressed ethnic minorities inside the area known as “China” (支那) need to be emancipated. There were neither Han nor Hakka people living in the area known as “China” (支那) before the 1911 revolution which gave rise to Chinese nationalism (中華民族主義) and expansionism, of which Rob Kajiwara is a deluded tool who deserves scrutiny.
Go and see the map of Qing Dynasty before you made comments that Tibert & Taiwan are not a part of China. You really made yourself look SO STUPID !!
oh, now China is suppressing Hongkong, Taiwan, south China sea neighbors but supporting Okinawa to get indepedence. ...lol
Do you think Osaka o Miami will get independence？ first of all you need to find some evidences from history，and then we can talk. talk like an adult it will help
Ryukyuan, also sounds exactly the same with Taiwanese.
Well, if Okinawa would like to become NEXT Hong Kong, Chinese Communist Party more than happy to launch Okinawa national security law to protect you. In order to purify your mind, Chinese Communist Party will send you Xi thoughts to study. Your motherland must help you and protect you from your brain to your movement. Moreover, Okinawa people become Chinese, and hold Chinese passports. You could entry North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran...freely, how wonderful!!
Become the next Hong Kong, which even have an even higher GDP per capita than Mainland Japan? Ooh my you give the CPC too much credit.
Why did you mention China? Ryukyu is an independent country, as all Chinese know.😂History is irreversible because it happened in the past. Why can't they have a Ryukyu Kingdom passport? The Ryukyuans must love it.
"Ancient China did not have the mode of pirate aggression, because it was prosperous and large enough to not need to invade others. Luchu and China are close partners. Though Luchu is not part China, it is a tributary of Chinese civilization. Satsuma and later Japan committed genocide there. Japan has occupied it for more than a hundred years Japanizing its language and culture. Yet Luchu is its own nation and culture." @junkuifu9827
琉球加油!