tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128378722057166293.post5351871610626110804..comments2024-03-19T13:16:20.521-04:00Comments on Isshin - Concentration the Art: Hogen TerminologyVictor Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633221599323204720noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128378722057166293.post-56683011941416130902021-10-09T15:40:49.356-04:002021-10-09T15:40:49.356-04:00When we think of Okinawa the home of what became O...When we think of Okinawa the home of what became Okinawan Karate we muist remember that the original language of Okinawa was not Chinese or Japanese. Certainly because of trade and such those languages were spoken but the original language of the Okinawan people (沖縄口, ウチナーグチ, Uchināguchi, [ʔut͡ɕinaːɡut͡ɕi]) or Central Okinawan, is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni and a number of smaller peripheral islands.[3] Central Okinawan distinguishes itself from the speech of Northern Okinawa, which is classified independently as the Kunigami language. Both languages are listed by UNESCO as endangered.[4]<br /><br />Though Okinawan encompasses a number of local dialects,[5] the Shuri–Naha variant is generally recognized as the de facto standard,[6] as it had been used as the official language of the Ryūkyū Kingdom[7] since the reign of King Shō Shin (1477–1526). Moreover, as the former capital of Shuri was built around the royal palace, the language used by the royal court became the regional and literary standard,[7][6] which thus flourished in songs and poems written during that era.<br /><br />Of course when Japan formally annexed Okinawa the language eventually shifted to Japanese. With the original languages eventually falling by the wayside. Hogen referred to as dialects within Japan exists in Japan as well as Okinawa<br /><br />Within Japan, Okinawan is often not seen as a language unto itself but is referred to as the Okinawan dialect (沖縄方言, Okinawa hōgen) <br />Victor Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09633221599323204720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128378722057166293.post-38450656556199603182019-12-26T12:51:09.659-05:002019-12-26T12:51:09.659-05:00Fred Ettish John Stebbins and I put that together ...Fred Ettish John Stebbins and I put that together over many years during our annual visits with Kuda Yuichi No Tanmei. He was very saddened that the native language of Okinawa was dying out and that most young people had no interest in keeping it alive. When he saw John’s and my enthusiasm he was happy to teach us a little bit at a time. Several times every year he would say “OK, sit down. Now Hogan School I teach”. Victor Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09633221599323204720noreply@blogger.com