Ocean Newsletter
No.153 December 20, 2006
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Memories of a Tsunami Lingers as a Myth
Akira Got
Professor, Doshisha Women's CollegeOn December 2004, in the wake of the Asian tsunami, a myth of a tsunami from a long time ago was transmitted to the Andamanese in the Indian Ocean.Moreover, one can find numerous legends connected to the tsunami even in the islands of Okinawa or the South Pacific.But this tsunami lore is not only a memory of catastrophes but a warning of some sort to the future of mankind which is deeply engraved on the hearts and minds of people throughout the world. -
Pacific Canoe Culture in Full Play
Osamu MondenAuteur / President, Studio Umi,Inc.
The Hokulea was built in 1975 which is more than thirty years ago from now and sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti in the following year by watching the stars and waves using an ancient navigation method. Moreover, also in 1975, the Chechemeni using ancient navigation came to the Okinawa Ocean Expo from Satawal in Micronesia. Thirty years have passed since then, but there are canoes and great navigators even now in Micronesia. I wonder what the impact of ancient navigation and canoes on contemporary people.
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A Clean, Safe, and Bountiful Sea
Shota MiuraOffice Umimori, Japan Coast Guard Association
We want to protect a clean, safe, and bountiful sea. In "umimori", 61,849 people are focusing on this kind of feeling.Umimori, without membership dues or charges, is an organization of purposefulness and the intensity of that feeling supports the information network to protect the seas of Japan.Three years have passed since I, as a staff of umimori, have been involved in its administration. As one who loves the sea, I would like to introduce the aims of umimori.