Shimanch‪ū‬

Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture is home to the southernmost city of Japan and known for its coral reefs, village traditions, and folk performing arts. Stephanie calls Ishigaki City her new home while serving on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme.

As she immerses herself into the rich and vibrant culture, Stephanie discovers that behind the pristine blue and rosy red colors of the island lies a dark history of bloodshed, malaria, tsunamis, and more. Through her interactions with islanders, she comes to understand the meaning of Shimanchū, the term they use to identify themselves.

Shimanchū: A Memoir of Ishigaki Island offers a captivating glimpse of past and present life in the Yaeyama Islands from the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom to modern-day Japan through the author’s lens as a nisei from Hawaii.