Images Ozaki Seiji Created by Ozaki Seiji, the woodblock prints in this volume depict Okinawan dolls and toys. The prints are reproduced from his book Ryukyu gangu zufu (Kasahara Shoni Hoken Kenkyujo, 1936), which is in the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection in Hamilton Library, of the University of Hawai'i. A multitude of Ryukyu/Okinawa materials were destroyed during World War II, so numerous items in the collection are one of a kind. Ozaki's book is one of the more than nine hundred items collected by the late English journalist-scholar Frank Hawley (1906-1961). Ozaki's captions were translated by Lynette Teruya, Program Coordinator at the Center for Okinawan Studies, of the University of Hawai'i, then edited and abridged for concision; additional help was provided by Kinuko Yamazato. In some cases, Ozaki's 1930s Japanese terms have been modernized and the spelling of Ryukyuan words standardized in accordance with Okinawan-English Wordbook by Mitsugu Sakihara (University of Hawai'i Press, 2006). Any errors introduced in the editing and abridgement are the responsibility of Mänoa's general editor. Click for larger view View full resolution Opening Illustration Equestrienne This type of doll is called chinchin umagwaa, named for the sound it makes (chinchin) when pulled by its string (umagwaa means "small horse" or "toy horse"). It was created by pasting paper over a wooden mold, letting it dry, then painting it. In this case, the wooden mold was superbly carved. The doll resembles ancient Chinese funerary figurines and is unusual in that it is wearinga hanagasa, a large floral hat typically worn in Okinawan dance. Papier-mâché. Made by Tomoshi Ryüwa. Woodblock print by Ozaki Seiji. Click for larger view View full resolution Kite Toy Paper is pasted over bamboo to make this butterfly-shaped toy. When a kite is aloft, the butterfly is threaded onto the string; it ascends, strikes the kite, and releases bits of colorful paper, which gaily flutter down. Bamboo, paper. Woodblock print by Ozaki Seiji. Click for larger view View full resolution Boat With a flag made of chiyogami (handmade, printed Japanese paper), this toy boat at first does not appear to be uniquely Ryukyuan; however, the colors and designs are distinctive. Another type of Okinawan toy boat is made of leaves from the kuba (fan palm). The Ryukyuan toy yanbarushin, a third type of Okinawan boat, is cherished by collectors in mainland Japan. Wood. Woodblock print by Ozaki Seiji. Click for larger view View full resolution Straw Horse This horse figure, made principally of straw and tree bark, captures the unique characteristics of the Ryukyuan breed of small horses. The artistry and craftsmanship are particularly fine. In many other regions of Japan, horse and cow figures are made out of straw and often used in religious rituals to bring happiness to children. After the rituals, the straw figures are given as toys. Straw. Woodblock print by Ozaki Seiji. Click for larger view View full resolution Woman Playing Teeku In the Ryukyus, women play handheld drums (single-sided paarankuu or double-sided teeku) as they dance and sing at such events as the women-only outings held on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar (sangwachisannichi) or at the bon festival (shichigwachieisaa) in the seventh month. Their songs, yarashii and kweena, are sung for the safe voyage and well being of travelers. Teeku are also played at the ushideeku, an autumn harvest festival. The jurigwaa ninjoo (female entertainer doll) depicted here was likely sold at the yukkanufii festival (held during the fourth month of the lunar calendar). The strong, vibrant colors are characteristic of the Southern Islands. Paper-mâché. Made by Tomoshi Ryüwa. Woodblock print by Ozaki Seiji. Click for larger view View full resolution Male and Female Dancers The Ryukyus are extolled as the islands of song and dance, with each village developing its own variations. In addition, there is a national dramatic form, kumiwudui, which derives from classical sources. This female doll has the expressive hand movements of such dances, and is regarded as a jurigwaa ninjoo (female entertainer doll). Her clothing is made of bingata, dyed fabric stenciled with traditional Okinawan motifs...