MESSAGE FROM THE CHICAGO OKINAWA KENJINKAI PRESIDENT

MESSAGE FROM THE CHICAGO OKINAWA KENJINKAI PRESIDENT
Hello Members of the Kenjinkai,
I feel that fall has passed by just like a tornado, and it has dashed into winter. I know
that I’m not the only one who feels this way. The last month of the year is already
here. Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season.
So many exciting events have taken place since our last newsletter. Over 200 members
and friends came out for our annual picnic during the Labor Day weekend and all
enjoyed the picture, perfect day. Between eating and catching up with friends, we also
enjoyed: rajio taiso, a warm-up exercise; bingo games; bon odori; line dancing; tug-ofwar; a water balloon toss; and a piñata. As always, my sincere thanks go to Dennis-san
and loyal volunteers.
In October, a number of us participated in the Fourth Joint Performance with the Kariyushi Kai in Okinawa. A few
days later, we also attended the Fourth Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival (which occurs every five years), starting with
the mile-long parade. Seventy members from our Kenjinkai participated in this exciting event. A memorable time was
had by all. You can share some of the excitement in the next page.
With less than one month to the New Year, I’d like to say that 2006 proved to be a challenging year with work and in
my personal life. I couldn’t have accomplished half of what I accomplished for the Kenjinkai without assistance from
Yoshiko Juravic, Vice President; Tom Pressley, Secretary; Etsuko Crary, Treasurer; Dennis Potamites, Sergeant-atArms; and Tom Corrao, Newsletter Editor. And my appreciation extends to the members of the Matsuri Daiko, the
Sanshin group, along with other volunteers of the Kenjinkai. I thank you. I hope you enjoy the holiday season and it
is my sincere wish that you have a healthy, prosperous 2007!
Taeko Ayala
メンバーの皆様
今年は何だか秋がとても短く、アッという間に冬に突入したよう気がしますが、そう感じるのは私だけでしょうか。
はや師走、メンバーの皆様におかれましては風邪なども召されずガンジューで、ホリデーシーズンを満喫していらっしゃ
ることと思いますが如何でしょうか。
9 月 2 日の恒例のピクニックは晴天の下、200 名余のメンバーが集い、ラジオ体操を皮切りにゲームにビンゴ、盆踊りにラ
インダンスとユンタクとクワッチーの合間には身体を動かし本当に楽しい一日でしたね。毎年滞りなく楽しいピクニック
が出来るのもデニスさん親子を初め朝早くから日が沈むまでボランティアで県人会を支えて下さる方々のお陰です。心よ
り感謝致します。
そしてピクニックから約一月後の 10 月 9 日には沖縄でかりゆし会との第 4 回親睦公演。又、11 日の前夜祭のパレードで 4
日間に渡る 5 年に一度のウチナーンチュ大会が幕開けしました。当県人会からは７０名のメンバーが参加し、“心のお土
産”を沢山もらってきました。“心のお土産”の寄せ書きが次ページにありますのでご覧になって下さい。
今年も余すところ一月足らずとなりましたが、2006 年を振り返てみて公私共にこれ程忙しい年はあまりなかったような気
がします。思っている半分程も県人会のことは出来ず行き届かない箇所も多々あったと思います。が、副会長の芳子ジュ
ラビックさん、書記のトム・プレスリーさん、会計の悦子・クレイリーさん、サージェント・アット・アームのデニス・
ポタマイテスさん、そしてニュースレター編集者のトム・コラオさんのサポートと祭り太鼓、サンシンを中心としたボラ
ンティアの皆さんの励ましがあったからこそ今年も乗り切ってこれたと思っております。有難う。
メンバーの皆様、心温まるホーリデーシーズンをお過ごし下さい。そして 2007 年も健康に恵まれ希望に満ちた年でありま
ようお祈りします。
アヤラ・タエコ
On October 12th through the 15th, there were more
than 4,700 Okinawans living abroad that migrated
back to Okinawa for the 4th World Uchinanchu
Festival. This group included 65 members of the
Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai who came to participate in
the festivities. The World Uchinanchu Festival is held
once every five years and has taken place since 1990.
The Okinawan government uses the festival to reach
out and reconnect people of Okinawan heritage
around the world with their homeland. The festival
promotes
cultural
awareness
between
local
Okinawans and their friends and relatives around the
world. The festival featured ceremonies, seminars,
symposiums, a world bazaar, sporting events, and
plenty of traditional Ryukyu arts and entertainment
acts. The event has also become a huge promotional
event for the prefecture. The theme of this year’s festival was “Reaching out with an earnest spirit are
beautiful hearts joined as one.”
Thousands of Uchinanchu people poured into convention halls, sports stadiums and entertainment
venues to celebrate the four-day event. An estimated 230,000 spectators joined them during the
festivities and ceremonies that took place at the Okinawa Convention Center and Kaihim Park. The
governor of Okinawa, Keiichi Inamine, told the participants that “There are over 360,000 Uchinanchu
living around the world and this festival shows how much Okinawan hearts long for that hometown
feeling.” He praised the ingenuity of Okinawans for establishing a people’s network that keeps
information flowing everywhere in the world.
Kaihim Park in Ginowan city was filled with visitors and local residents alike, rubbing shoulders and
sharing their thoughts on how “there‘s no place like home.” Many locals voiced salutations welcoming
the visitors back home again. They all danced together to the music of numerous performing acts
playing on the main stage throughout the four day festival. The final attraction was an hour-long
“Compositional Theatre” featuring dancing, eisa, taiko drums, recitations and theatre in the main
convention hall. It was an extremely exciting show where the audience sat side-by-side with the
performers. When the show was over inside the festivities poured out of the building and into Kaihim
Park where eisa performers danced and fireworks glistened leading up to the main act, Diamante an
extremely popular music group in Okinawa.
President: Taeko Ayala
V. President: Yoshiko Juravic
Treasurer: Etsuko Crary
Secretary: Thomas Pressley
Sgt at Arms: Dennis Potamites
Newsletter: Thomas Corrao
P.O. Box 721 Geneva, IL 60134-0721
3866 Devonshire Ln Park City IL 60085
30A Tyler Ct. Streamwood IL 60107
55 East Jeffery Ave Wheeling IL 60090
6635 N Kimball Lincolnwood IL 60712
3309 30th St Kenosha WI 53144
1(630) 262-0756
1(847) 249-3740
1(630) 220-2989
1(847) 459-9034
1(847) 677-4240
1(262) 656-1805
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
On October 8, 2006 the City of Naha held its 35th annual Naha Matsuri and tug of war. The event attracted
thousands of participants who partook in a parade through the streets of Naha which eventually culminated
with a huge tug of war between the east and the west sides of the city. The “O Tsunahiki” or tug of war was
held on Highway 58 the main highway up the west side of the island. The event caused the Highway to be
closed for approximately 2 hours.
The rope is constructed as two large, separate
sections that are joined for the Tsunahiki, symbolizing
the union of male and female, or the east and west
sides of Naha respectively. The rope, which is made
of rice straw, was more than 200 meters long and six
feet in diameter. It had numerous smaller ropes
coming from the main rope so thousands of people
could partake. It’s completely handmade and took a
crew of 16 workers 45 days to complete. “The rope
symbolizes the good characteristics in life. It is the
joining of light and dark.
Naha’s O-tsunahiki tradition has gone on for more
than 400 years, only stopping during World War II,
according to the Naha Giant Tug-of-War Preservation
Committee brochure. In the past it was believed
participants in the O-tsunahiki would have great
fertility and therefore, more happiness.
The Naha Tsunahiki is the largest event of its kind in the world, according to the Naha Bureau of Tourism.
There are many tugs-of-war in Okinawa, but I believe the Naha tug-of-war has to be one of the best.
The American Consul General to Okinawa, Kevin Maher, co-sponsored
a welcome party along with the Uchinanchu festival organizers on
October 10th to welcome the leaders of the numerous American
Okinawan groups, Associations, and Kenjinkais returning to Okinawa
for the 4th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival. It was a tremendous
opportunity for the leaders to meet and develop closer ties with one
another.
The picture to the left is of Yoshiko Juravic, the US Consul General
Kevin Maher, his wife, and Taeko Ayala the president of the Chicago
Okinawa Kenjinkai.
While in Okinawa with my wife Nozomi, we were
invited to partake in a welcome tour sponsored by her
home town, Itoman City. Many of the local towns and
villages offered these tours to festival participants that
were returning home to their hometowns during the
festival. These tours were offered above and beyond
the general Tai Kai events that were taking place
around Okinawa and usually ended with a welcome
party at some local venue.
Our tour began with a trip to the Okinawa peace
parks war museum, where we saw many artifacts
from the battle of Okinawa and listened to a historic
account of the battles affect on the local people of
Okinawa. Our English speaking tour guide was
Yoshimasa Kamiya, an outstanding translator and author, who did the overhead English translations during the
Uchinanchu festivals opening and closing ceremonies. He told me of some controversy that occurred when the
new museum was built and the artifacts were moved into the new facility. Apparently the Japanese political
machine had an influence on one particular exhibit that portrayed an Okinawan family hiding underground in a
cave during the war. This exhibit had a Japanese soldier in the cave holding his rifle in the air over a family
group of Okinawan people which were huddled in the back of a cave. The Okinawan mother was portrayed as
trying to keep her baby from crying by covering its mouth as the Japanese soldier looked up and listened for
movement from above. I was told that the exhibit had been changed when it was moved because the original
exhibit had the soldier pointing his bayoneted rifle at the child as the family tried to keep it quiet. This more
accurate representation of the events during the war made Japanese visitors uncomfortable and portrayed the
Japanese in a poor light to the public. Governor Inamine upon having the new facility built, decreed that the
exhibit should be changed to the current configuration that is seen today.
Next we visited the Itoman City’s Kanko Noen, or Tourism Farm Park in English,
where they have established an Itoman Winery. This is a facility where they make
wine from vintage variations of the local acerola and passion fruit some unique flavors
for wine. These flavors of acerola and passion fruit may not appeal to most diehard
wine connoisseurs, but the unique taste has become one of the region’s newest
sought after specialty items due to its claim of being the healthiest alcoholic drink
you’ll find in Okinawa. The ingredients have all been locally grown and the wine has
been produced via chemical free fermentation. There is also as much as 415 mg of
vitamin C and 510 mg of natural citric acid per 100 g of the 11-13% alcohol varieties.
Itoman hopes that the creation of these new wines will contribute greatly to agricultural and industrial
development of Itoman City and its farmers.
From there we visited an Okinawan “Haka” or Tomb
containing the largest family to settle in Itoman. Here is
some information I discovered in relation to the Okinawan
Haka. Traditionally, periodic gatherings of the extended
family occur at the family Haka, or "tomb." Tombs
resemble houses, complete with a courtyard, family name
markers, and "porch" upon which offerings are arranged.
Inside the tomb is stored the cremated remains of several
generations of family members. Although responsibilities
may vary on a case-by-case basis, generally it is the
financial responsibility of the oldest male of a family when
it comes to the upkeep of existing tombs and
establishment of new tombs once the old are full or should
they be destroyed. (Like during the war) Various taboos
exist in relation to Okinawan tombs like, it is rude to point
at a tomb, speak loudly concerning the dead around a tomb. It is considered dangerous to desecrate a tomb
with graffiti, or by disturbing offerings such as flowers, or by damaging the tomb in any way. It is also
considered dangerous to approach a tomb without proper authority (such as relation to the family) or to visit a
tomb at night. During the typical extended family gathering at the tomb, incense, food, offerings, and prayers
are presented to ancestors, and then a picnic is enjoyed by those in attendance.
Then it was on to the Hakujin Shrine where our hosts said
prayers for us and our families. It was here that I was told a
story of the stone pictured in the above story header. The
stone says to never raise your hand in anger before thinking
about what you are doing. Apparently in the days of the
samurai, a local fisherman asked a samurai who was visiting on
a trade mission to borrow money from him with the promise
that he would pay him back the following year when the
samurai returned. The fisherman’s luck was not good that year
though and he was not able to raise the funds to pay back the
samurai. Fearing for his life he hid amongst the rocks near the
shrine to escape being killed by the samurai when he returned
the next year. The samurai was infuriated when he discovered
that the fisherman was not there to repay his debt. After much
searching the samurai found the fisherman in the rocks by the
shrine and as he was about to kill the fisherman the fisherman pleaded with
him to think about what he was doing. He told the samurai that if he acted
out of anger and were to kill him he would never get his money back and the
situation would end badly for everyone involved. With another promise to
repay the samurai the following year the samurai agreed to let the fisherman
live. The samurai then left to return home to his family. When he arrived back
in Japan it was late in the night and he discovered his wife sleeping in their
bed with another person covered up by her side. The samurai became
enraged and drew his sword raising it to kill the person who he thought had
taken his wife from him. As he raised his sword above his head he thought of
what the fisherman had told him about acting out of anger and he lowered
the sword. Just then his wife awoke with a scream and as he looked at the bed he saw the face of his own
mother looking out from beneath the covers. His wife had asked her to come and sleep next to her so that no
intruder would bother her thinking that the samurai was back home. The samurai then could not believe that he
had almost killed his own mother out of rage and it was at that moment that the samurai realized that the words
of the fisherman had prevented a great tragedy to his family. The samurai returned to Itoman the following year
and expressed his great gratitude to the fisherman for his sincere wisdom. The fisherman’s year had been a
good one and he had the money to repay the samurai but the samurai refused to take the money. The stone
that was placed at the shrine reflects the wisdom of the fisherman and the samurai to prevent tragedy in the
lives of all who read its message.
By Tom Corrao
Prior to going to Okinawa, I knew my friend Tom Pressley was an impressive and accomplished sanshin player.
But, I had no idea just how popular he was in Okinawa until I spent the day with him during our trip this year.
We visited his friend and local minyo legend, Misako Oshiro, at her minyo club the Shima Umui in Naha.
Tom played several minyo songs for the awe struck audience who could not believe the ability that the
American musician possessed in the native art of minyo. Sensei Akiko Kerns Kaneshiro a member of the San
Diego and Los Angles Kenjinkais was in attendance and joined in a duet with Tom as did Oshiro Misako. Little
did the audience know that the following day he would be making a guest appearance on the Uehara Nowhiko
Minyo Hour a popular radio show in Okinawa. That night Tom and I talked about minyo and he explained that
the mainland Japanese love the local music of Okinawa and pointed out that most of the people in the club
were actually Japanese and not Okinawans. He told me that he believes his popularity is brought about by his
attention to pronunciation when singing in Okinawan dialect. He stated that many Japanese miss words in the
songs or cannot properly pronounce the lyrics when singing. You cannot simply go through the motions to
gain the Okinawans respect. The respect comes when you are able to properly sing the songs the way they
were originally meant to be sung. He then gave full credit for his talent to his sensei, Oshiro san, of the
Kariyushikai, who corrected him time and time again until he understood the proper pronunciation of the
dialect used in the songs. He told me that the Okinawans have a saying of “Shiman Chu Takara”, which
translated means the songs of the Okinawan people are their treasure.
The following day Tom played on the radio and performed flawlessly. Everyone was quite impressed and
for the rest of the day we met people who said they had heard him on the radio and couldn’t believe how
talented he actually was. I would compare it to the American Idol show in the states where unknowns become
tremendously popular once they have performed and done well. For me it was like being in the presence of a
celebrity.
If you are interested in learning to play san shin, Taiko Drums, or Okinawan Odori then why not join us at
Mitsuwa Market place. We practice every Saturday at the times listed on the schedule below. Young and old
are encouraged to attend. Hope to see you soon
By Tom Corrao
Sanshin Group --------------------------------1:00 to 4:00 PM
Matsuri Daiko ------------------------------ 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Break Time-------------------------------6:00 to 6:30 PM
Odori Group----------------------------6:30 to 7:40 PM
そういえば昨日トム・プレスリーさんが(民謡でちゅーうがなび
ら) に出演されているのを聞くことが出来ました。番組内で唄
われていた「白雲節」は絶品でしたよ。(ホント スバラシカッ
タ) By アンドリュー (お前、県内にいたのかっ！)
・・・その放送後、トムさんがまた店にお出でになりました。
（四日目）で、その時に凄いエピソードがありました。トムさ
んはアメリカでメジャーなインターネット・オークション・サ
イト
e-bay（イーベイ）で数ヶ月前、三線を落札されたようなのです
が届いた三線を分解し棹を取り出して見てみると画像のように
芯の部分に(比嘉バイロン)と書かれていました。そう彼は以前
にもこの BBS で紹介したことのあるワタクシの同級生、白バイ
ロンです！（当 BBS 841 をご参照下さい。来店のお客様ページ
も見てネ）
(もしかしたらこの三線は盗難にあい売られたのかもしれないか
らそれだったらぜひお返ししたい)とのことでした。回りにいた
自分らは「おぉ、美談だ！美談だ」と感激しました。そんなこ
とが現実に起こりえるんですね～。ドラマみたいです。
(これは素晴らしいネタになるからぜひ新聞とテレビに連絡して
取り上げてもらいましょう！)と盛り上がりました。
で、まず自分が話を聞くべくバイロンの携帯にかけてみまし
た。(えー、バイロン。これこれの話だけどどんなかぁ?)と話し
てみると(あいっ、あのジ○ーやぁ)(あれはよぉ、我んが本国に
帰るっていう隣のアメリカぁにあげたのだわけよぉ)(売ったぁ
るわけなぁ?) ///// ガガーン ///// 美談崩れる・・・。ま
だ盗まれてたほうが良かった・・・。（それも駄目です！）せ
っかくの気持ちを踏みにじるとは・・。逆にバイロンに何か悪
いことした感じがするさぁ。
現在、(三線フレンド)は全世界に居ます。そういうことをして
も発覚しますのでしちゃ駄目です。まぁ、発覚するしないにか
かわらずイケマセン！ん、何か終わり方暗くなったな。(-o-)
The Translation of the above story which was taken from the Matsuda Sanshin Web Blog:
Yesterday Tom Pressley showed up at the Matsuda Sanshin shop to ask if we had heard him on the radio
singing the Minyo Song “Hontosubarashikatsuta” a song about a white cloud in the sky. It was at that time he
mentioned to us that he had purchased a sanshin from EBay an American internet auction site. He told us that
when he disassembled the fine quality instrument that he found the name “Higa, Byron” on a sticker inside. We
knew the original owner Higa Byron and because he was a famous Okinawan Sanshin Player we began to think
that perhaps the sanshin had been stolen some time in the past from him. We called Higa Byron and asked if the
instrument had perhaps been taken from him in the past and he told us that he had given the instrument to a
friend a long time ago and proclaimed that Tom was a lucky man for finding such a quality instrument for such a
small price. He asked Tom to take good care of it and said that he was happy the instrument had fallen into the
hands of a skilled musician. The Sanshin was appraised that day by the shop and they believe the value of the
instrument to be between three and four thousand dollars. Unbelievable!
The Sekai Uchinanchu Taikai was amazing! It seemed like every time I
turned around I ran into someone visiting from another country. I can’t
wait to return in 2011!
This was the first time I was able to attend the Uchinanchu World Festival and I
thought it was simply amazing! The Government and people of Okinawa were so
generous and there were so many Okinawans from all over the world. It made me
so grateful I could attend.
今回、初めて世界のウチナーンチュ大会に参加しましたが,（感動したー！！！）
の一言に尽きます。開会式、閉会 式、パレード、などなどたくさんのイベント
に、シカゴ県人会のみんなとともに参加できたのは、私にとってすばらしい思い
出になりました。またチャンスがあれば、今度は主人と子供も一緒にぜひ参加し
たいです。それと、かりゆし会との親睦公演では、また皆さんと同じ舞台に立つ
ことが出来たことを大変光栄に思い、（私もアメリカでがんばっているから
ね。）と、沖縄の母に見せることが出来たこと、大好きな＆大変お世話になって
いるシカゴ県人会の皆さんを、母に紹介できたこと、は一番のうれしいことでし
た。本当に今回の帰郷は、いつもとは違う大変意義深いものとなりまし。
This was my second time attending the Uchinanchu Taikai. My last time
participating in the Tsunahiki was 30 years ago though! The experience
moved me tremendously! I felt as if I were the chimugukuru of Uchinanchu!
Hope to see you in five years in Okinawa!!! Chimugukuru! Yuimaru! And,
Kurie!
The 4th World Uchinanchu Festival was a wonderful experience for me.
I Truly felt that I was Uchina Muku as everywhere I went I was met
with open arms. I attended many events and was able to meet many
dignitaries and famous Okinawans but I think the best part of going
back to Okinawa was meeting members of the family once again and
seeing how big the next generation has become. I plan to attend
again in the future and hope to see our members there also!!!
Wow! The 2006 Uchinanchu Tai Kai was even better than when I
was there in 2001. I still get thrilled when I think about the
experience. The introduction of flags at the opening ceremony
where each country attending was represented was very
interesting to see. The Uchinanchu people from each country all
stood up when their country’s flag came in and it was impressive
to see the numbers of Okinawans from all over the world that
were there. The most exciting portion of the opening program
for us came when American flag was introduced. There was a
tremendous response as over half of the auditorium stood up
and cheered. It was a feeling I will never forget.
The O Tsunahiki Tug of War was a great time, but on the way back to our hotel I heard some drums that sounded
like Matsuri Daiko drumming. We got off the bus and were able to watch a few different local Matsuri Daiko groups
perform. Some of the young performers danced with such energy. Then the Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko and Hiedkatsu
were introduced. What a treat to see them perform many of the dances the Chicago Matsuri Daiko performs. We had
front row seats to see them dance and it was a stunning performance.
The “Pigs from the Sea” musical expressed the Chimugukuru spirit of the Okinawan people in a wonderful
manner. It was heartwarming to learn how the Okinawans in Hawaii helped their homeland after World War II. The
Kachashi afterwards was thrilling and stirring. We even saw the governor of Okinawa dancing.
The World Bazaar was also something we enjoyed at the festival, especially trying the food from different
countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. The closing ceremony was very moving with over 400 performers taking
part. I hope that there will be another Uchinanchu Tai Kai in 2011. Please join us for a wonderful experience. Ipei
Nehei Debiru
Wally & Yoshiko Juravic
The Uchinanchu Festival was a most memorable experience for me. It
was my first time visiting Okinawa and although I knew it was a
beautiful tropical island like Hawaii, it was way beyond all my
expectations. I was impressed with the Uchinanchu people, especially
with the kindness they expressed to us as they welcomed us to join
them as one. My sisters were as impressed as I was and were
thankful to be able to share in the experience. We felt togetherness as
everyone reached out as one, and enjoyed the beautiful blue
oceans, beaches, tropical fishes of the island. I felt as if I were also
Okinawan and thank everyone for providing us with such a wonderful
experience!
While visiting Okinawa during the 4th
Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival there was
a lot of coverage in the local newspapers
with so many events taking place around
the island. Several members of the
Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai appeared in
photos included with articles about the
events. Pictured to the left are Tom and
Nozomi Corrao while visiting a awamori
distillery during a tour. Below left are
several of our members that were caught
shopping for bingata cloth at the events
world bazaar and pictured below is Mayumi
Cox a member that recently left the
Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai when she
moved to Virginia. I’m sure there were
many more articles that contained our
members but unfortunately these are the
only articles I had when we returned.
In this edition, I would like to share some information of a personal nature that I believe will benefit
the members of our organization. I’m sure there are many of us in the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai that
have known at least one person close to them that has had to deal with breast cancer. I recently dealt
with the death of my sister-in-law who had been battling with breast cancer for over ten years. Even
though the family had time to deal with the fact that she would eventually pass because of the disease
it did not make it any easier when it actually happened. Now I have personal knowledge of a member
of our organization that is currently dealing with this disease. She has asked me to inform our
members about breast cancer and wanted to express to all of you the importance of being tested
regularly.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their
lifetime. This disease does not discriminate against any particular race and Asian women are just as
susceptible as other women to the disease. I found that public health officials in Japan recently
reported a rate of only one in forty women contracting the disease, a considerable difference from the
United States statistic. However, when Japanese women immigrate to the U.S., their risk for breast
cancer dramatically increases. This is more than likely due to differences in lifestyle choices and
environmental factors which can play a role in the development of breast cancer. Many people also
believe that genetics play a role in the development of breast cancer but in fact this is true in only 10
percent of the cases. Although early detection and prompt intervention are important part of secondary
prevention it is most important to adopt a healthy lifestyle as a primary means of preventing the
disease. Here are some tips that can help us all reduce the risk.
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Reduce your dietary intake of saturated and hydrogenated fats
Get your protein from fish and Legumes. Tofu is an excellent choice.
Consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes each day.
Maintain your ideal body weight.
Don’t use tobacco products.
Keep alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day.
Learn how to perform a monthly breast self examination and report any
suspicious lumps immediately to your physician.
Consider breast feeding your baby.
Get a clinical breast examination, every three years between the ages of 20 and 39 and annually starting at
age 40.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, undergo genetic counseling to help calculate your risk.
Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Avoid long term use of hormone replacement therapy with synthetic estrogen/progesterone combinations.
Other than these lifestyle changes, the most important action a woman can take is to follow early detection
guidelines. Following the American Cancer Society's guidelines for early detection will not prevent breast cancer
but can help find cancers when the likelihood of successful treatment is the greatest. Remember, women age 40
and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are
in good health. This demographic would include most of our members so please see your doctors and have the
examination. It could save your life. For more information visit the American Cancer society website at
www.cancer.org
By Thomas Corrao
On 23 September The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Performed at US
Cellular Field after being invited by the Chicago White Sox
management to perform for Japanese Day in commemoration of
the Japanese players now playing in the major leagues. Despite
some rain everyone had a wonderful time. We would like to
express our thanks to those members who participated!
On November 4th 2006, Members of the Chicago Okinawa
Kenjinkai were invited to perform at the farewell party of
Naoko Puntillo. Naoko is a member of the Chicago Okinawa
Kenjinkai who recently moved to Minnesota to be closer to
members of her family. The party was held in Kenosha
Wisconsin at the home of Roberta Puntillo, who is Naoko’s
Daughter. Naoko performed in the Matsuri Daiko and the Odori
group of the Kenjinkai and was accomplished at both types of
performance. I suppose the art of Okinawan culture is in her
blood though because she is also the daughter of Seikan
Omine a famous Okinawan artist. One of his paintings can be
seen in the background of the picture below. Naoko will be
missed by all who knew her here and we hope she will stop by
when she visits the area in the future.
On 14 November 2006, Naoko sent the following message to
the President of the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai.
Dear Kenjinkai,
Thank You for coming to my party and giving it some
extra “Zing”! I know a lot of you came from very far
away and I really appreciate it. Everyone loved your
performance! Thank You for the wool shawl and the
beautiful flowers. I am still enjoying the flowers in
Minnesota. Thank You all so much for the good
memories!
Love Naoko
Alex Jiro Bjorge
Born October 2nd 2006
6lbs 13oz
To Dan & Misao Bjorge
Joseph Scott Benigno
Born Nov 2, 2006, 8lbs 6oz
To Joe & Jennifer Benigno
Proud Grandma - Yoneko Cabel
Hana Ashley Goto
Born November 29, 2006
7lbs 3oz
To Mamoru & Kumi Goto