For Seniors: An Okinawa Local Quiz — Deepen Your Knowledge with Questions on Local Cuisine, Dialects, and History

Whether the mouth is open or not

Shisa, the protective guardians placed on gates and rooftops in Okinawa, actually come in male-and-female pairs. Telling them apart is simple: the one with its mouth wide open is the male, and the one with its mouth firmly closed is the female. The male keeps his mouth open to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. Meanwhile, the female keeps her mouth closed to prevent the blessings and luck the male has invited from escaping.

three types

Shisa are broadly divided into three types: “palace lions” placed at castles and the like, “household lions” placed at individual homes, and “village lions” positioned at the entrances to villages or settlements to ward off evil spirits. Each has its own role and is cherished as a guardian deity indispensable to the Okinawan landscape.

Eisa

Eisa is a traditional Buddhist chant dance performed in Okinawa during the Obon season. To safely send the spirits of their ancestors to the afterlife, young people parade through local streets, dancing vigorously while beating drums. As a hallmark of Okinawan summer, it is now enjoyed throughout Japan.

Welcome

“Mensore” is an Okinawan dialect word of welcome meaning “irasshai” or “welcome.” You’ll often see and hear it at Okinawan airports, tourist spots, and shop entrances. By the way, “thank you” is “nifee debiru,” and “hello” is “haisai” (for men) or “haitai” (for women). Try remembering them and feel like you’re on a trip to Okinawa!

pottery

“Yachimun” is the Okinawan dialect word for pottery. It is characterized by its pleasantly hefty thickness, vibrant colors evocative of Okinawa’s rich natural environment, and dynamic painted designs. A wide variety of items are made, from everyday tableware such as rice bowls and plates to Shisa guardian figures, which are famous in Okinawa as talismans warding off evil.

sea snake

“Irabu” is the Okinawan word for the black-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata). It is a traditional ingredient that has been prized as a court delicacy since the Ryukyu Kingdom era and is considered very effective for boosting vitality. Even today, it is eaten when people want to restore energy or for celebratory occasions—an unusual local dish unique to Okinawa.

Chatan Town

The correct answer is “Chatan-chō.” Chatan Town is a beautiful seaside town located on the central west coast of Okinawa Island. It is home to the famous tourist spot Mihama American Village, where you can enjoy an exotic, international atmosphere. Reading “kita” as “cha” and “tani” as “tan” comes from Okinawa’s unique dialects and phonetic shifts, making it a well-known difficult place name for people from outside the prefecture.