Re: Some famous Japanese guitarists...

[pacfan]

Whooper-san,

Although, I lived on an Okinawan neighborhood, I spent much of my life there in the bases and went to school in there until high school. So bases were important part of my young life, and of course I still cherish the memories of my childhood there. So it kind of aches my heart to know that one day there will be no more bases in Okinawa; it's just like having a great part of my childhood taken off. The elementary school where I spent the longest was converted to Okinawa Convention Center. And of course, others are on their way out. But what really shocked me was the biggest battle site there, the Sugar Loaf Hill, which is only about the size of a football field and where thousands of Japaneses and Americans lost their lives, was turned over to Okinawans and they built a shopping mall right on top of it! But at any rate, being half Okinawan, I understand their feelings.

I also lived near a small marine air base, and our house was directly under the flight-path of the planes and helicopters there. We could see the the belly of airplanes real close when they flew right over us, accompanied by thundering roar. The neighborhood folks complained about the noise so the US government provided each nearby houses with free sound-proofing and air-conditioning system! Fortunately, despite almost daily flights, there were no cases of airplane crash there. By the way, talking of Iwo jima, I watched two Clint Eastwood movies about the battle there. Like all war movies, they were really touching.

[whooper]

Hi Pacfan-san,

You've already set in X-mas holidays? As you know, Japanese chiefly celebrate new year holidays. X-mas is a sort of "Omatsuri" or festival in our calendar. Some streets in Tokyo and Yokohama are illuminated brillante at night.

Well, well, well, you grew up in a base of Okinana. For you base is something like a town or village, isn't it? Once I worked with U.S. military for not combat but peaceful missions. I was a liaison for their music band. Air Force, Yokota and Army Camp Zama, hold their music band. On their way to Sasebo, U.S. Naval base, for regular visits, I used to help organize a couple of shows in the Kansai area. Especially, I liked crazy Air Force jazzmen.

I have been to Okinawa twice on temporary duty. It is not Japan, not U.S., that is Okinawa, you say? Early morning and late afternoon, so many service personnel drive home and office. "Kokusai tori" or international boulevard is a bit letdown for eyes that have seen Ginza or Akihabara. It was a great fun to step into a local traditional market and to find local products, for instance, pig's face or rare colorful edible fish.

I haven't seen "Iwo Jima" movies but read the original scenario. It is quite painful to experience atrocities even virtually that had waited for both Japanese and American soldiers there. I remember an old movie, "Sands of Iwo Jima" casted by an American national hero, John Wayne. Strangely to you, then enemy nationals, Japanese old generations like my father who had really served in military loved John Wayne as Sgt. John M. Stryker.

Wishing you for very best X-mas season
Whooper

[pacfan]

Ya, Okinawa is unique. It has influences from ancient China - the culture, kanji, karate; Japan - of course they've been there since the 16th(?) century and it's one of the prefecture; and America - the rooooock bands, burgers, and large US bases and soldiers everywhere. Not particularly cosmopolitan but not too inakapoi either, except those sparsely populated countrysides...

Merii Kurisumasu, Whooper-san. May this site be a huge success in the coming year!