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    Americans, Okinawans share local tradition

    Americans, Okinawans share local tradition

    Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Sushi chefs from Ginowan City prepare a freshly caught, 150-pound tuna for the guests...... read more read more

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

    09.09.2011

    Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

    III Marine Expeditionary Force   

    OKINAWA, Japan - Moonlight, sushi and camaraderie were the focus at the Habu Pit here the evening of Sept. 9. Marines joined with Ginowan City community members to celebrate the Japanese tradition of moon watching.

    The party, sponsored by the Ginowan City Society of Commerce and Industry, was to celebrate the full moon during the moon-viewing season – an event the society has sponsored for the past eight years. The Japanese typically celebrate this event in September when the weather outside is the most comfortable to view the moon.

    The GCSCI invited the officials of MCAS Futenma to share their traditions with them, said Lt. Col. Ian S. Wallace, executive officer of MCAS Futenma.

    The event was a good way to strengthen friendships between the base and surrounding community, according to Col. James G. Flynn, commanding officer of MCAS Futenma.

    “There is much we have in common; we must use this to come together,” Flynn told those gathered for the event.

    As part of the celebration, sushi chefs carved up a 150-pound tuna caught earlier that day. The crowd gathered as the chefs carved the fresh fish and put it directly on plates for guests to eat.

    “Eating sushi is a greatly honored tradition of the Japanese,” said Masanobu Nonaka, secretary general of GCSCI. “Bringing our traditions together with Americans brings our cultures together.”

    Nonaka agreed that events such as this strengthen the bonds between Americans and Japanese.

    “The Americans have started to incorporate our traditions, building our friendship,” Nonaka said. “Connecting through food is a great way to connect.”

    The purpose of the event was to view the full moon, said Elena Takaho, a community relations specialist on MCAS Futenma.

    Moon watching is another time-honored tradition for the Japanese, said Nonaka.

    After the dinner, guests played bingo with prizes presented by the chairman of the GCSCI.

    “When we invite the local community onto our base with these fun events, we like to show them MCAS Futenma is a great place,” said Sgt. Maj. Brent L. Cook, sergeant major of MCAS Futenma.

    These events give a lasting impression to everyone involved, Cook said.

    Nonaka said he hopes the memories Americans create at cultural events such as this are remembered for a lifetime and create a lasting bond with Japan.

    “I hope that when the Americans go back to the states they treasure these memories,” Nonaka said. “I have never forgotten the people I have encountered all over the world. My only hope is that when they do return to the states, being here gives them a different point of view on the world.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.09.2011
    Date Posted: 09.15.2011 02:32
    Story ID: 77059
    Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP

    Web Views: 58
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN