Day 23 takes us to the southernmost prefecture of Japan: Okinawa. The capital is Naha and Okinawa is part of the Kyushu region of Japan.
1. What kind of fruit is mumu (むむ) in Okinawa?
2. What are imaiyu (いまいゆ) in Okinawa?
3. Okinawa was originally part of what independent kingdom?
4. What is the name of the native cat in Okinawa that is one of the world’s rarest and most endangered cats?
5. What is the largest fish on display at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)?
6. What type of Japanese martial arts originated in Okinawa?
7. The mythical creature below is from Okinawa and is called a shisa. They are often found in pairs, standing side by side. They look quite frightening but they are actually friendly spirits who ward off evil. Shisa are believed to be half lion and half of what other animal?
8. What is the name of the traditional Okinawa distilled spirit that is made from long grain indica rice?
9. What is the name of the classic Okinawa dish of braised pork belly cooked in the above local distilled spirit?
10. Write a haiku poem that describes the beauty and charms of Okinawa.
Answers for Day 22: (1) welcome (eg, when entering a store) (2) a puddle (3) Omi Province or Goshu (4) Hikone Castle (5) Chikubu Island (aka Chikubushima; 竹生島) (6) true (7) Sagawa Art Museum (佐川美術館) (8) Omi beef (9) Mount Ibuki (伊吹山, Ibuki-yama)