Okinawa is a sub-tropical island in Southern Japan that was an independent sovereign nation known as the Ryukyu Dynasty until the mid 1800's.  Okinawa is most well known for developing martial arts like Karate, as well as for its distinct dialect, art, music, beautiful beaches, food, longevity and lastly sadly its tragic role in World War II and the impact that has had on the following generations there.   

In the late 1800's my great, great Grandfather emigrated from the island of Okinawa to Canada with his 3 sons during a Japanese initiative exporting labor to many countries around the world. Him and his family made their way from Vancouver to Hardieville, in Southern Alberta.  My Grandfather was born in Hardieville, AB and his family moved back to Okinawa when he was 6 years old.  My Grandfather's Mother learned how to bake bread in Alberta and eventually taught my Grandfather, who took this skill back to Okinawa where he developed a successful bakery there that has been in operation since 1952.  

Today there are still large groups of Okinawan Kenjinkai around the world but particularly in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Canada, Hawaii, and other parts of the US.  The World Uchinanchu Festival happens once every 5 years in Okinawa, the next one will happen in October 2021.