Okinawa Memory Quilt

I've mentioned before that I've been in a quilting group to make an Okinawa Memory Quilt. We had twenty people who each picked a different Okinawa or Japan inspired theme for their quilt square, and then made twenty squares. Finally, we get together to exchange squares so everyone ends up with one each of the different squares with which you can make a nice memory quilt. I totally forgot to take any pictures at the actual exchange event...the kids were sitting on me and what have you. But here are some pictures of the squares once I got home. Everyone did a really amazing job!! The squares all look really great, I think. A couple people weren't quite done so we only have 18 today, but here they are...mine is the seawall square with surfboards...and if you can figure out which one that is, I will be very happy...

Carp windsocks - koi nobori
On Children's Day in Japan (May 5th) these windsocks are flying all over the place. I'll have to try and get some pictures this year. So beautiful!

Sakura or Cherry Blossoms
In Okinawa these bloom in February...very beautiful to see

Japanese Soda, complete with real pop top
There are soda machines all over the place - like on corners of residential neighborhoods. You are never very far away from a soda machine here.

Banyan tree
Big trees found around Okinawa with distinctive above ground roots and vines.
The perfect place for giant bats to hide (shudder)

I think these decorative balls are called Mari or Temari? It's a folk art thing (I think) and you see them around as decorations.

The beach, with fuzzy sand! :)
No discussion of Okinawa is complete without the beach.

Mt. Fuji
While not on Okinawa, a lot of Americans here travel to the mainland to hike Mt. Fuji. And it is quite the life experience from what I hear. I haven't done it but I hear it takes about 24 hours or something. Definitely memorable.

This is my square - the seawall with surfboards up against it. There are lots of retaining seawalls around Okinawa, including one down the street from our house. A lot of Americans live in the seawall neighborhoods. People surf a lot at the one by our house, so I included some surfboards.

Taiko Drum - a popular instrument in Okinawa.

You will see Taiko drummers and pretty much every Okinawan festival. At Obon the first year we were here we got to watch school age kids doing their Taiko drumming performances as they marched down the street. It's really an art form. There is also a Taiko drum video game (a la guitar hero) which we like.

Three tear symbol - I think it's called Tomoe - and it's the traditional symbol of Okinawa. It's on the flag of the Ryukyu islands. It's used kind of like a crest or coat of arms symbol in Okinawa.

Turtle top tombs - found all over the island right in the middle of neighborhoods. Families in Okinawa have tombs where they keep cremated remains of their departed family members. The tombs are all over the island and built right into the sides of hills some times.

Geckos, very prevalent here - we used to have a house gecko, but I haven't seen him in a while. People like having them around 'cause they eat bugs around the house. And we have bugs here!

Kimonos - traditional women's dress in Japan, probably needs no explanation.

A scuba diver, in the shape of a scuba flag - very cool. Okinawa has great scuba diving. A lot of people get certified while they are here to take advantage of the natural underwater beauty!

Washi boxes - boxes covered in brightly colored washi paper (special Japanese paper). I don't know a lot about these, but I do know there are classes all the time on how to make such boxes. Obviously I have not taken one of these classes. Maybe I should.

Daruma doll
Hollow round Japanese dolls - kind of a good luck charm in Japanese culture or gift of encouragement. They are hollow and weighted on the bottom so they will turn upright again if they are tipped (weebles style).

Japanese Fans!!
Another one that probably requires no explanation.

Kokeshi dolls

Little wooden Japanese dolls that have no arms or legs. Found all over the place in Japan. I know a lot of Americans who have started kokeshi doll collections. There are all different shapes and sizes of them. So Japanese.

Well, those are the quilt squares we have post-exchange. Quite impressive don't you think, and definitely representative of a lot of work by all parties involved. It was great to work on this, and I'm glad I did it and get to have all these other great squares to make a quilt with, but I'm also glad the quilt square production is over. Phew, a lot of work.