1800 degrees C

Ryukyu glass was originally a clever way to recycle discarded soda pop bottles collected from the US military bases all over Okinawa. Now it is its own, unique art form. This craftsman is in the process of turning a blob of molten glass into a classy square container.

Mystery Photo (2)

Did you guess the photo was of an unhappy kitchen disaster, namely rice going moldy? That would be partly correct.

This rice, however, has a jolly fate. After becoming afflicted with black mold, it will be mixed with hot water and allowed to ferment. Foam (awa) will bubble up (mori-agaru). It will become Okinawa's signature alcoholic drink, awamori.

How to Make a Sanshin (2)

Did you plant your tree? These are ebony trees. They will be ready to harvest in another 30 years. If you want that home-grown sanshin within your lifetime, better plant that tree now.

How to Make a Sanshin

Okinawa's signature musical instrument is the three-stringed sanshin. Its musical magic comes--not from the snakeskin covering, as many people believe--but from the wooden neck of the instrument. If the neck has the perfect balance of flexibility and solidity, the music will soar.

The perfect wood is ebony, a hardwood that is getting harder and harder to acquire. If you are thinking of making a sanshin, step # one is to plant a tree.

Here Be Dragons

Here is a view of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa. It dates back to the 14th century and was the royal residence until the Kingdom of the Ryukyus was absorbed by Japan in 1879.

Please notice that, made of wood and highly decorated, it is a castle dedicated to living and diplomacy, not to battles. The Okinawan kings kept their corner of the world happy and peaceful for 500 years.

More Eisa in Shinjuku

To perform this role, you don't need to beat a drum or play a sanshin. However, you must be able to whistle very loudly through your teeth.

Performing Eisa on the main street of Shinjuku, Tokyo.