About the Committee

Core Plan for Fiscal Year 2022

1. Investigation and Research Necessary for Inscription of Okinawa Karate on the UNESCO Listing

The Academic Research Liaison Committee, a subcommittee of the General Assembly, will conduct an exhaustive survey of 56 villages out of the approximately 100 villages in 30 municipalities that participated in the preliminary survey conducted in the Fiscal Year 2021. (As shown in the list below, the entire area of Okinawa Prefecture is divided into 5 blocks, with a total of about 50 surveyors in each block.)

Northern blocks

Classification No. Municipalities Subject Names of villages with “Mura Bo,” “Bo Odori,” etc., in harvest festivals, tug-of-war, village rituals, and events.
Northern part 4 Nakijin Village 3 Imadomari, Nakasone, Wakugawa
Northern part 7 Onna Village 4 Nakama, Afuso, Onna, Yamada
Northern part 8 Ginoza Village 2 Ginoza, Matsuda, Kanna
Northern part 9 Kin Town 3 Kin, Namisato, Igei
Total 12 　

Central blocks

Classification No. Municipalities Subject Names of villages with “Mura Bo,” “Bo Odori,” etc., in harvest festivals, tug-of-war, village rituals, and events.
Central part 13 Yomitan Village 4 Zakimi, Uza, Namihira, Nagahama
Central part 14 Kadena Town 1 Nosato
Central part 15 Chatan Town 2 Aza Chatan, Aza Shimosedo
Central part 16 Kitanakagusuku Village 5 Kishaba, Atta, Shimabukuro, Ogido, Oshiro
Central part 18 Nishihara Town 1 Kohatsu
Total 13 　

Southern blocks

Classification No. Municipalities Subject Names of villages with “Mura Bo,” “Bo Odori,” etc., in harvest festivals, tug-of-war, village rituals, and events.
Southern part 20 Urasoe City 1 Maeda, Uchima
Southern part 21 Naha City 1 Aza Asato
Southern part 23 Itoman City 3 Aza Maesato, Aza Maehira, Aza Arakaki
Southern part 24 Yaese Town 11 Kochinda, Tomori, Yonagusuku, Tome, Shitahaku, Kogusuku, Tomoyose, Gishi, Asato, Hanashiro, Gushichan
Total 16 　

Miyako blocks

Classification No. Municipalities Subject Names of villages with “Mura Bo,” “Bo Odori,” etc., in harvest festivals, tug-of-war, village rituals, and events.
Miyako 37 Miyakojima City 4 Shimoji Aza Kawamitsu, Shimoji Aza Kuruma, Uenoshinzato, Uenonobaru
Miyako 38 Tarama Village 2 Nakasuji Aza, Shiokawa Aza
Total 6 　

Yaeyama blocks

Classification No. Municipalities Subject Names of villages with “Mura Bo,” “Bo Odori,” etc., in harvest festivals, tug-of-war, village rituals, and events.
Yaeyama 40 Taketomi Town 9 Taketomi island, Kohama island, Kuroshima, Iriomote Furumi, Iriomote Sonai, Iriomote Hoshitate, Hateruma, Hatoma island, Funauki
Total 9 　

2. Building Momentum among Okinawans and People Related to Karate

With consideration of the COVID-19 situation, and with the help of organizations within the committee and other related organizations, the committee will accomplish the following items:

  1. Events (hosting a lecture meeting)
  2. Update and disseminate information via the Council’s website
  3. Others (planning a project to build momentum among those related to this project)

Core Plan for Fiscal Year 2020

1. Investigation and Research Necessary for Inscription of Okinawa Karate on the UNESCO Listing

To understand the criteria for selection to the UNESCO listing, under supervision of the board, the Planning Committee and the Ryuha Research Association (Shuri and Tomari-te systems, Naha-te system, Uechi-ryu system, and Kobudo) will discuss the following matters in section meetings by the end of the fiscal year:

  1. Establishing the definition and features of Okinawa karate
  2. Providing the target category for Intangible Cultural Property, outlining elements, and protection and management
  3. Other matters related to inscription on the UNESCO listing

2. Building Momentum among Okinawans and People Related to Karate

With consideration of the COVID-19 situation, and with the help of organizations within the committee and other related organizations, the committee will accomplish the following items:

  1. Promotion (setting up a website, creating promotion videos, creating leaflets and posters)
  2. Events (hosting a symposium)
  3. Others (planning a project to build momentum among those related to this project)