The document discusses the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and whose voices are being represented in its exhibitions on Okinawan history. It notes the museum presents Okinawa's history from 1872 onward as moving towards a Japanese identity, but some labels discuss Okinawa's annexation by Japan and the resistance to the US occupation after World War 2. The curator is quoted describing Okinawa's transition from independent kingdom to Japanese province in 1872 and the influence of the Satsuma domain. Whose voices - indigenous Okinawans or the dominant Japanese narrative - does the museum portray remains unclear from the document.

1. Okinawa Prefectural Museum: Native Voices or National Narrative? Travis Seifman University of Hawai ʻ i at Mānoa MA Art History ‘12

2. Summary: Okinawan History 1372: beginning of tributary relations with China 1429-1609: Unified, independent kingdom 1609-1872: Semi-independent vassal state to Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma 1872-1879: Annexed by Japan as Okinawa Prefecture; abolition of the kingdom 1945: Battle of Okinawa 1945-1972: US Occupation 1972: Reversion to Japan (end of Occupation)

3. Image from Okinawa Prefectural Museum website: http://www.museums.pref.okinawa.jp/guidance/floor/index.html

4. Image from Guide to Permanent Exhibtions © Okinawa Prefectural Museum Touch & Experience Room

5. Whose voice is being heard? Indigenous Okinawan Voice? Dominant Japanese Voice? “ The Kingdom of Ryukyu was changed into the Ryukyu han (province) in 1872 … and the Ryukyu han took on a new identity as Okinawa Prefecture. This process … resulted in Okinawa being incorporated into the national territory of Japan.” “ Ever since, Okinawa has moved headlong towards seeking a Japanese identity…” “ The war was followed by 27 years of U.S. military occupation. … Resistance [was] the response to the … occupation administration’s colonialist policies.” Onaga Naoki, Chief Curator, Okinawa Prefectural Museum Summary labels introducing sections of modern art exhibit The Tracks of Okinawan Culture 1872-2007. Exhibit Catalog p8.

6. Whose voice is being heard? The Matter of Agency “ The Ryukyu Kingdom started to send a constant stream of envoys … to Japan … for celebrating a new shogun’s assumption of power and to thank the Tokugawa Shogunate for the recognition of new kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom.” “ The Ryukyuans had to revise their system of governance in Ryukyu, which was under the influence of … Satsuma.” Onaga Naoki, Chief Curator, Okinawa Prefectural Museum Summary labels introducing sections of main Okinawan History section of permanent exhibitions. Museum Guide p148. Image courtesy British Museum. Kanō Shunko, “Procession of an Embassy from the Ryūkyū Kingdom”, ink and color on silk, c. 1710

7. Whose voice is being heard? Attacking Tokyo & Washington “ Unreasonable situations such as the presence of US military bases and the invasion of people’s lives … created turmoil for the Okinawans.” “ The right to govern Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, the first step toward a new period of history, but many US military bases still remained.” Onaga Naoki, Chief Curator, Okinawa Prefectural Museum Summary labels introducing sections of main Okinawan History section of permanent exhibitions. Museum Guide p150. Map © Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa