Episodes
Join our cohosts as they explore a range of topics, from identity to language revitalization. Each episode features music by a Shimanchu artist, guest speakers specializing or directly involved in a Okinawan field or topic, and close with an Okinawan funfact / proverb. Come join us for this evolving journey together. Yutasarugutu unigeesabira!
About
The Podcast
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.'
Creators
Mariko Middleton [she/her]
Executive producer, Host
Mariko is a bi racial Okinawan American living on Abenaki land in Vermont, USA. She is an interspiritual practitioner of earth-based spirituality and is deeply interested in identity, culture, and how we all weave the global web of change. She is a blend of introverted introspection and extroverted ecstaticness depending on her environment. Follow along on her Instagram here.
Erica Kunihisa [she/her]
Assignment Editor, Host
Erica is a graphic designer and illustrator and has become interested in how art and design plays a role in social and cultural impact. When she is not in front of a computer, she enjoys being outdoors and doing activities such as hiking/camping, and dragon boating. Find some of her work on Instagram here.
Tori Toguchi [she/her]
Outreach Manager, Host
Tori is currently a digitization specialist at a museum and was raised on Kanaka 'Ōiwi land (Oʻahu). She is a co-creator of of the Shimanchu Visual Archives and is interested in creating space for Shimanchu-Ryukyuans to gather resources and make archival histories more accessible for the community. She is 5th generation whose ancestors are from Ginoza and Henza.
You can her photography here.
Contributors
Emma Anderson [she/her]
Audio Engineer, Host
Emma is an Okinawan-American radio DJ, software engineer, and zinester from Los Angeles, California a.k.a. Tongva land. When she’s not busy building iOS apps or hosting her funk & soul radio show, Emma practices koto with Sensei Katsuko Teruya as part of the Kōyōkai L.A. music group. Follow along on her Instagram here.