"The Weenuatai Ohaka - Kanna, Ginoza Village"

The Weenuatai grave sits inside a small cavity

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The Weenuatai Ohaka, Kanna Ginoza Village

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Latitude	Longitude
N 26 28.594	E 127 57.706

The Weenuatai Ohaka - Kanna, Ginoza Village

At the Yoriage Forest in Kanna, Ginoza Village, sits a historical tomb called the Weenuatai Ohaka (ウェエヌアタイのお墓). Ohaka is a Japanese term for tomb or grave. What is special about this grave is that it predates the very familiar turtle-back tombs that are often seen throughout Okinawa's landscape. It is composed of wood dating back around 1350 AD. The turtle-back tombs on Okinawa are believed to be first used around the 18th Century. Below is a summary of what researchers found inside the original grave:

130 bodies which included 58 male remains, 47 female remains, and 25 remains of gender unknown. Of that mixture, 40 were considered to be young adults, 6 young children, 17 toddlers, 11 infants, and 6 newborns.(1)

Additionally, 364 items were found...

288 man-made items and 76 natural items; Man-made items included hair pins, combs, rings, products made of shells, old money, a glass ball, tea cup, sake cup, and nails. Natural items included: two pieces of seashells and remains of a crab, dugong, dog, and a rat.(2)

The Weenuatai Ohaka has since been rebuilt with new and original pieces of wood. The tree in which the wood came from was said to be over 600 years old. Information provided by the Ginoza Museum mentions it was found in the 'Dakiyama Forest', but it wasn't exactly clear if the tree or the grave was found at this forest. Where exactly is the 'Dakiyama Forest' is not exactly certain at this time.(3)

Such wooden graves were said be the forerunner of the stone graves that are more familiar today, but exactly what part of Okinawa they were used is not quite clear. Many were hardly left due to the war and some where found in caves. Nails where not used to hold them together. 1912 was said to be the last time remains were put in the Weenuatai Ohaka. The refurbished grave is now made of 34 pieces of wood; of the 34, 17 are new pieces and 17 are from the original grave. A display replica of the Weenuatai Ohaka can be seen at the Ginoza Museum. See article on the Ginoza Museum.

Advisement. The Weenutai Ohaka is a grave. Please be respectful in mannerism. It rest highly visible off the main trail and sits in a small cave-like cavity. Villagers still come here to pay respects to their earlier ancestors. It is a place of meditation and reflection.

What to bring. To protect yourself from critters, it is highly recommended you wear long sleeves top and bottom, bring a pair of hiking gloves, a neck towel, and a hat. There is a lot of moisture in the area and it will attract a good amount of insects. Consider bringing bug repellent. Though the Weenuatai Ohaka sits off a well beaten path, it is recommended that you bring a guide stick to probe areas for snakes and to knock down spider webs should you decide to venture elsewhere.

Author's Notes.
1. It is believed that the rest of the remains belonged to older adults (speculation). Verification is required.
2. Interesting to note that dugong remains were found and makes one wonder to what extent and what role the mammals played in early Okinawa culture.
3. If the suffix 'yama' is the same 'yama' used to describe a mountain, then it is possible that the Dakiyama Forest belongs to a mountain range in the nearby area.
4. It is not clear what the meaning of the word 'Weenuatai' means.

Source of information. Leaflets provided by the Ginoza Village Museum (Japanese). Visions of Ryukyu: Identity and Ideology in Early-Modern Thoughts and Politics, Gregory Smits, 1999, Pg 83 (Turtle-back Tombs).

Related Articles. The Katana and the Ginoza Museum, Kanna's Mysterious Yoriage Forest.

Directions. The Weenuatai Ohaka is located at the Yoriage Forest which is part of the Kanna Village Park and is on the opposite side of Highway 329 from the Kanna Thalasso Resort. See the map for LandMarks.

Kanna's Mysterious Yoriage Forest

Fresh water at the Yoriage Forest

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Kanna's Yoriage Forest

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 28.672	E 127 57.643

Kanna's Mysterious Yoriage Forest

In a small section of land off Highway 329 is a tiny forest park in Kanna of Ginoza Village. In no way does it match the enormous size of the Sueyoshi Forest Park of Naha City, but it does have a handful of natural wonders and mysteries to see. You might call this the 'Fangorn Forest' of Okinawa. It is one of the most eeriest and mysterious places on the island. You are about to enter — Kanna's Yoriage Forest (漢那 の ヨリアゲ 森).

As you arrive at the entrance, you will notice a very large Gajimaru Tree upheld by a man-made pillar. It is a very impressive example of man working with nature to promote prosperity and longevity. And not far from the tree is a fountain of fresh pouring water. Symbolically, this is very important. It is because on these same grounds that the 'Water Kami-sama' (Water god), named Kawazukasan Ouibe (カワズかサノオウイベ), is revered and worshiped(1). This same god was also mentioned in 1713 in a historical document referred to as the Country Origins and Records of the Ryukyus (琉球国由来記)(2). It was said that in ancient times, gods would come here to have 'fun' and that long ago, this place was used by the villagers to make tofu. It is also here that in 1938, where the first channelized water system was incorporated in the Ginoza region(3). At the beginning of the Chinese New Year, nearby villagers would come here to give thanks. Source 1.

Research conducted in 2006 from September 26 to October 6 discovered that ruins found here dated back to the Gusuku Era(4) and had originated from China, and in 1971, a survey of the ground revealed high level of moisture in the soil leading to believe that the nearby area was once a rice field. Source 2.

Exploring the trail and the 'Weenuatai Ohaka'. As you explore you will see a small observation tower, small caves, and a cave pit. Much of the trail is damaged or overgrown and some places will be difficult to pass through. But highly visible off the main trail is the Weenuatai Ohaka nestled in small cave-like cavity. The Weenuatai Ohaka was first mentioned in an earlier article titled The Katana and the Ginoza Museum. The term 'ohaka' is Japanese meaning tomb or grave, and a display replica of the Weenuatai Ohaka can be viewed at the Ginoza Village Museum. Because of the amount of information on this historical grave is extensive, see separate article on the Weenuatai Ohaka. ADVISEMENT. The Weenutai Ohaka is a grave. Please be respectful in mannerism. It rest highly visible off the main trail. Villagers still come here to pay respects to their earlier ancestors. It is a place of meditation and reflection.

The Future of the Yoriage Forest. Severe weather has damaged much of the trail that networks around the area. It is not certain what plans the town developers have for this park. Surveyors and planners have been seen in the area. Perhaps in the future, the Yoriage Forest will get a new makeover.

What to bring. To protect yourself from critters, it is highly recommended you wear long sleeves top and bottom, bring a pair of hiking gloves, a neck towel, and a hat. There is a lot of moisture in the area and it will attract a good amount of insects. Consider bringing bug repellent. This place will have mosquitoes no matter what time of the year. It is also highly recommended that you bring a guide stick to probe areas for snakes and to knock down spider webs.

Author's Notes.
1. The exact Kanji character for 'Ou' used in the name 'Kawazukasan Ouibe' as shown in the explanation sign could not be computer generated for this article. The Kanji is believed to be pronounced as 'Ou', a prefix perhaps identifying something of great status such as a deity. Katakana characters have been used in its place instead.
2. It is not exactly certain where the book Country Origin and Records of the Ryukyus (dated 1713) is currently located.
3. It is important to note that Ginoza Village did not become its own municipality until 1946 as stated in their own history chronicles. Some or all of the region was still part of Kin. However, the area back then might have still been referred to as Ginoza (speculation).
4. Gusuku Era can be considered as the 12 century but currently cannot cite an official reference that clearly defines the time period in question .
5. You may notice, as you cross a small wooden bridge, a circular mirror cemented on the rocks. The author believes this was put there in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits. This concept is found in Shintoism and may have been an adopted for such purposes. Who exactly put it there is not known.

Source of Information: Explanation signs posted on site (Japanese only). Source 1, Source 2.
Related Articles. The Katana and the Ginoza Museum, The Weenuatai Ohaka, Sueyoshi Forest Park of Naha City.

Directions. The Yoriage Forest is part of the Kanna Village Park and is on the opposite side of Highway 329 from the Kanna Thalasso Resort. See the map for LandMarks.

Facilities. Parking and restroom facilities are available on location.

"The Gajimaru Tree of Igei, Kin Town"

The 'Legs' of the Igei Gajimaru Tree

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The Gajimaru Tree of Igei, Kin Town

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 27.449	E 127 52.779

The Gajimaru Tree of Igei, Kin Town

A very familiar, yet peculiar tree can be found throughout Okinawa's landscape. It is the famed Gajimaru Tree, known to many as the Banyan Tree (Ficus microcarpa). Gajimaru Trees are well known to have tentacle-like roots that extend beyond their main trunk. One of the most famous Gajimaru Trees on Okinawa is the 'Ufushu Gajimaru' of Gangala, estimated to be 150 years old (see past article). But what makes the Gajimaru Tree of Igei unique is that its roots have turned into large 'pillars' or legs rather than tentacles. You will rarely find a Gajimaru Tree of this kind.

In 1991 (The year Heisei 3) the tree was measured at 11 meters in height, with 3.9 meters in circumference. The tree used to be the 'center' of Igei. It was used (and still is used?) as a place of prayer and for communal gathering. An ashagi (a hut-like structure where spiritual acts are performed) stands next to the tree, indicating that some kind of religious activity still happens here. The tree is estimated to be over 300 years old, surpassing the famed 'Ufushu Tree' of Gangala by an estimated 150 years.

Author's Note. The tree is designated as a local cultural asset by the Kin Town Board of Education. They kindly ask that no one climbs or hangs on the tree.

Source of information. Explanation sign in Japanese provided by Kin Town's Board of Education.

Directions. The turn-off road extends from Highway 329 in Igei, of Kin Town. It will be at a traffic light. Once you make the turn, it is a straight shot to the tree (the tree will be on your left). Study the map carefully. One of the Landmarks near the area an Esso Gas Station just north of the turn-off. Igei Beach sits on the opposite side of the 329.

Other related articles. Gangala, The Dragon Tree.

Other places to see of interest nearby. Igei Beach.