Messages to the Editor July 18, 2008

People send messages to me, the editor of okinawa.com, all the time with requests for information. In the past I’ve often ignored these messages because I just didn’t have a good answer. Going forward, I’ll try to reply and share the information in this section. I don’t intend to publish anyone’s personal information including efforts to find a particular individual.
If any reader has a better answer to the messages below, please contact me and I’ll share the information.

This week’s "messages to the editor" include:
Ancient warrior uniforms
Verify a death on Okinawa
Uchina nantu

*****************************************
Ancient warrior type uniforms

I am going to teach Okinawan Karate before it was known as Okinawan Karate. Tomari-Te is the method I am teaching

What I need to know is if I could order ancient warrior type uniforms, much like the Okinawans would have used in the 1800’s.

I want my students not to wear the modern type of Karate uniforms or belts as that displays the modern martial art mess that is over running our world of Karate today.

<reply />
Hello,
I would start with the shurei-do martial arts store. They are the main store on Okinawa for equipment.
I’m not sure what " ancient warrior type uniforms" look like. Perhaps you should look at Eisa supply shops. The various Eisa outfits often look very Chinese to me and from an earlier time.
Good Luck,
Art B.

*****************************************
Verify a death on Okinawa

….She is the beneficiary of the life insurance and if alive I would like to contact her. If she died I would like to obtain a death certificate. Do you have any idea how I would go about this, who to contact etc. The US Embassy in Japan does not even reply to me. Any help would be appreciated.

<reply />
Hello
I don’t have a good answer to your question.
I would start by contacting the Okinawa Prefectural Govt.
They may ignore messages in English but maybe not. They do have American interns who may be able to help.
Good Luck,
Art Bobroskie
*****************************************
Uchina Nantu

Hi Arthur;
I’m a japanese descendent born in Peru and lived in the US (San Diego, CA) for the past 30 years.
My parents are from Okinawa and I remember when i was little i used to help my mother prepare "Nantu" y used to loved it.
I have the recipe and the ingredients; my dilema is that no one in my family knows the name of the plant of which the leafs are use to prepare "Nantu".
Everyone i asked knows it as "Nantu leaf" but i could not find it anywhere.
My father’s birthday is coming up i will love to prepare Nantu since it was his favorite (He will be 78 and he’s also very ill) Please help me to find out what is the name of this plant.
Thank you.
Sincerely
….Nantu lover.

<reply />
Hello
I don’t have an answer for you. I plan on calling some friends on Okinawa this weekend. Perhaps they will know.
Let me know if you find the answer so I can spread the news.
Good Luck,
Art B.