› 沖縄英字マガジン OkinaWanderer › David の沖縄ライフ2016年12月18日
David の沖縄ライフ！沖縄クリスマス事情！
今回のDavid 沖縄ライフは、沖縄、というより日本におけるクリスマス＆年末年始、いわゆるホリデースーズンの過ごし方について書いてくれています（＾＾）
すごく興味深いですよ〜！え？クリスマスってこれが世界の常識じゃないの？ だってアメリカから入ってきた文化でしょ？
ん〜、過ごし方、捉え方、結構大きく違うんですよね〜（＾＾）
ぜひ読んでみてくださいね♪
Anyone who has not lived on Okinawa long enough to celebrate Christmas the traditional Japanese way yet might be in for some culture shock over how this ‘western’ holiday has come to be celebrated here.
First, Christmas is a special day to step out for a fancy dinner, but not on Dec. 25th. It’s all about celebrating on Christmas Eve. December 25th holds no real significance in Japan while all of the excitement takes place on Dec. 24th.
Most foreigners envision Christmas dinner spent at a table surrounded by family and loved ones indulging on mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, fresh bread and of course the ‘piece de resistance,’ the turkey.
In Japan, families indulge on a table spread of fresh fried chicken. You might be thinking that there has to be something special about the fried chicken recipe but you would be remiss. Brace for the barrage of KFC ’24 piece bucket’ flyers to be stuffed into your mailbox during the week prior to this endeared holiday.
‘Why do Japanese people eat KFC fried chicken on Christmas?’ is probably your next question. Considering how easily so many of our other holidays have become commodities, it should not be a surprise to learn that this was all a marketing ploy created by KFC in 1974. Turkey has never been readily found in Japan so the ‘next best’ became the chicken.
The first advertisements to hit the streets were for ‘Chicken and Wine for ¥2,920’ which was pricey for the mid-seventies. Colonel Sanders bears a very strong resemblance to dear old Santa Claus when decked out in his finest holiday fare, and it quickly became a marketing hit that lured droves of Japanese customers into the beloved KFC fast food chain outlets. Catch phrases like “Christmas = Kentucky” that were paired with catchy jingles on TV commercials cemented a union between KFC and Christmas, which would forever be ingrained into Japanese culture. This phenomenon was actually what jumpstarted the popularity of American fast food chains in Japan.
After indulging in your bucket of Christmas fried chicken you may be wondering what’s for dessert. Since Christmas is not synonymous with one specific dessert, the dessert of choice in Japan became cake. In Japanese bakeries, this time of year means that bakers are working at top capacity to fill the demand for orders of Christmas cake the families place for Dec. 24th.
The popularity of the Christmas cake harks back to the Confectioner Fujiya Co.’s creation during the 1950s, which consisted of a light sponge cake covered with whipped cream and decorated with strawberries. This type of cake has become the Christmas cake staple, advertised alongside buckets of chicken in holiday flyers from every supermarket, food outlet and fast food chain.
Japanese were captivated by the ‘cool’ factor of traditional western Christmas and have adopted and repackaged it as their own. The act of gift giving happens between children and adults, and parents are willing to spend on average, about ¥7,200 for these gifts. For adult partners, they are willing to fork out on average ¥13,100 for a gift.
If you have lived in Japan long enough, all these differences in culture do not maintain the same shock value until you find yourself spending Christmas Eve and Day as you would on any regular work day, knowing that your loved ones in your home country are gathered to celebrate. This is when you really miss all the Christmas traditions you had experienced since you were a child. But do not dismay, as there is nothing like a hard drink, bucket of chicken and a strawberry topped cake to cure the Christmas homesick blues.
Map
すごく興味深いですよ〜！え？クリスマスってこれが世界の常識じゃないの？ だってアメリカから入ってきた文化でしょ？
ん〜、過ごし方、捉え方、結構大きく違うんですよね〜（＾＾）
ぜひ読んでみてくださいね♪
Anyone who has not lived on Okinawa long enough to celebrate Christmas the traditional Japanese way yet might be in for some culture shock over how this ‘western’ holiday has come to be celebrated here.
First, Christmas is a special day to step out for a fancy dinner, but not on Dec. 25th. It’s all about celebrating on Christmas Eve. December 25th holds no real significance in Japan while all of the excitement takes place on Dec. 24th.
Most foreigners envision Christmas dinner spent at a table surrounded by family and loved ones indulging on mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, fresh bread and of course the ‘piece de resistance,’ the turkey.
In Japan, families indulge on a table spread of fresh fried chicken. You might be thinking that there has to be something special about the fried chicken recipe but you would be remiss. Brace for the barrage of KFC ’24 piece bucket’ flyers to be stuffed into your mailbox during the week prior to this endeared holiday.
‘Why do Japanese people eat KFC fried chicken on Christmas?’ is probably your next question. Considering how easily so many of our other holidays have become commodities, it should not be a surprise to learn that this was all a marketing ploy created by KFC in 1974. Turkey has never been readily found in Japan so the ‘next best’ became the chicken.
The first advertisements to hit the streets were for ‘Chicken and Wine for ¥2,920’ which was pricey for the mid-seventies. Colonel Sanders bears a very strong resemblance to dear old Santa Claus when decked out in his finest holiday fare, and it quickly became a marketing hit that lured droves of Japanese customers into the beloved KFC fast food chain outlets. Catch phrases like “Christmas = Kentucky” that were paired with catchy jingles on TV commercials cemented a union between KFC and Christmas, which would forever be ingrained into Japanese culture. This phenomenon was actually what jumpstarted the popularity of American fast food chains in Japan.
After indulging in your bucket of Christmas fried chicken you may be wondering what’s for dessert. Since Christmas is not synonymous with one specific dessert, the dessert of choice in Japan became cake. In Japanese bakeries, this time of year means that bakers are working at top capacity to fill the demand for orders of Christmas cake the families place for Dec. 24th.
The popularity of the Christmas cake harks back to the Confectioner Fujiya Co.’s creation during the 1950s, which consisted of a light sponge cake covered with whipped cream and decorated with strawberries. This type of cake has become the Christmas cake staple, advertised alongside buckets of chicken in holiday flyers from every supermarket, food outlet and fast food chain.
Japanese were captivated by the ‘cool’ factor of traditional western Christmas and have adopted and repackaged it as their own. The act of gift giving happens between children and adults, and parents are willing to spend on average, about ¥7,200 for these gifts. For adult partners, they are willing to fork out on average ¥13,100 for a gift.
If you have lived in Japan long enough, all these differences in culture do not maintain the same shock value until you find yourself spending Christmas Eve and Day as you would on any regular work day, knowing that your loved ones in your home country are gathered to celebrate. This is when you really miss all the Christmas traditions you had experienced since you were a child. But do not dismay, as there is nothing like a hard drink, bucket of chicken and a strawberry topped cake to cure the Christmas homesick blues.
Map
2016年12月10日
David の沖縄ライフ！沖縄インバウンド事情！
今回のDavid 沖縄ライフは、外国人から見ても異様なまでのアジア系インバウンドの急増について書いてくれています（＾＾）
外国人目線というのも見えてなかなか興味深いですよ♪
Recently, I visited the Rycom Mall and immediately noticed how many foreign tourists there were meandering through the shops. Rycom Mall is by far, the largest mall on the island, but I have never considered it to have any outstanding character or to be particularly enticing. This leaves me to wonder why so many tourists have chosen to congregate at this particular mall when there must be a variety of other places for them to visit on the island.
Ever since Rycom Mall opened, the mall has been packed with locals, Americans, and tourists from every corner of the earth. I regularly notice the fleet of tour buses parked by the main entrance. On most of the buses, the names of the tour groups are written in Chinese.
I recently asked one of the drivers why he brought a group of tourists to this mall, and he responded that it was because it was included in their tour plan. The group was picked up at the airport, traveled to Shuri Castle and explored around Kokusai Street area, and then made a stop at the Rycom Mall for shopping on their way to a resort hotel up in Nago.
This would also explain why there is such a vast selection of souvenirs in the mall. If you are in need of souvenirs to send to your friends and family back home, this is the place.
American Village seems to be another hot spot. A few years back, there were more Americans than any other foreigners, but now there seems to be a lot more tourists from Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
It is a great location. Besides dipping in the ocean or lying on the beach, those who enjoy water sports can go diving or kayaking about 10-15 minutes away. A short walk away there is a concentration of restaurants and shops where visitors can eat delicious food and go sightseeing and shopping. Those who happen to be on Okinawa for a wedding can take memorable wedding pictures at nearby Araha Beach.
Another must see place on Okinawa is the Churaumi Aquarium, the second largest in the world, that presents a comprehensive view of life under the ocean surface. As rays, schools of fish and sharks glide by a visitor easily becomes spellbound by their grace and speed.
I return to the aquarium every few years, and the view never ceases to amaze me. It’s a wonderful place to bring your partner, friends or family. Purchasing an annual pass will enable you to return whenever you want to enthrall a friend or just escape the world for a moment. If you go, visit after 16:00 and you will receive a discount ticket and still have enough time to experience the entire aquarium.
Okinawa is such a small island, and to those who you live here, it often feels as if there isn’t much to do. But for tourists, it’s such a unique place to explore. Okinawa sits in a conveniently close traveling distance from many countries in Asia, is an integral part of Japan and yet offers an experience that comes with its’ unique mix of cultures.
It is most likely that the tourists are the ones who discover new places and adventures on our island. So, if you are looking for something fresh to explore, follow the tourists. You never know what new adventure lies just around the corner on this island of Okinawa.
Map
外国人目線というのも見えてなかなか興味深いですよ♪
Recently, I visited the Rycom Mall and immediately noticed how many foreign tourists there were meandering through the shops. Rycom Mall is by far, the largest mall on the island, but I have never considered it to have any outstanding character or to be particularly enticing. This leaves me to wonder why so many tourists have chosen to congregate at this particular mall when there must be a variety of other places for them to visit on the island.
Ever since Rycom Mall opened, the mall has been packed with locals, Americans, and tourists from every corner of the earth. I regularly notice the fleet of tour buses parked by the main entrance. On most of the buses, the names of the tour groups are written in Chinese.
I recently asked one of the drivers why he brought a group of tourists to this mall, and he responded that it was because it was included in their tour plan. The group was picked up at the airport, traveled to Shuri Castle and explored around Kokusai Street area, and then made a stop at the Rycom Mall for shopping on their way to a resort hotel up in Nago.
This would also explain why there is such a vast selection of souvenirs in the mall. If you are in need of souvenirs to send to your friends and family back home, this is the place.
American Village seems to be another hot spot. A few years back, there were more Americans than any other foreigners, but now there seems to be a lot more tourists from Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
It is a great location. Besides dipping in the ocean or lying on the beach, those who enjoy water sports can go diving or kayaking about 10-15 minutes away. A short walk away there is a concentration of restaurants and shops where visitors can eat delicious food and go sightseeing and shopping. Those who happen to be on Okinawa for a wedding can take memorable wedding pictures at nearby Araha Beach.
Another must see place on Okinawa is the Churaumi Aquarium, the second largest in the world, that presents a comprehensive view of life under the ocean surface. As rays, schools of fish and sharks glide by a visitor easily becomes spellbound by their grace and speed.
I return to the aquarium every few years, and the view never ceases to amaze me. It’s a wonderful place to bring your partner, friends or family. Purchasing an annual pass will enable you to return whenever you want to enthrall a friend or just escape the world for a moment. If you go, visit after 16:00 and you will receive a discount ticket and still have enough time to experience the entire aquarium.
Okinawa is such a small island, and to those who you live here, it often feels as if there isn’t much to do. But for tourists, it’s such a unique place to explore. Okinawa sits in a conveniently close traveling distance from many countries in Asia, is an integral part of Japan and yet offers an experience that comes with its’ unique mix of cultures.
It is most likely that the tourists are the ones who discover new places and adventures on our island. So, if you are looking for something fresh to explore, follow the tourists. You never know what new adventure lies just around the corner on this island of Okinawa.
Map
2016年11月17日
David の沖縄ライフ！グリーンフラッシュ！
グリーンフラッシュ！ハニーフラッシュ！
見たことありますか〜？ 夕日が海に沈むほんの一瞬に緑に輝くというグリーンフラッシュ、毎日眺めていてもなかなか遭遇することがないという神秘現象。
このような感動体験はもちろん国籍問わず興味持たれるわけで、この記事を読んでますます海岸に集まる外国人も増えて来るのではないかと思います（＾＾）
古来琉球の人々も、神の仕業と思ったことでしょうね〜（＾＾）
ワタシも一度は見てみたい〜♪
Living along the Sunabe Seawall, there are evenings when you catch a glimpse of the sky and recognize that a phenomenal sunset is about to go down. These are the evenings when my wife and I dash out of the house to wander the seawall in silent awe of the expansive display of color unfolding in front of us. It was on one of these recent magical evenings when we had the good fortune of meeting up with professional photographer, Dan Bender.
As we sat chit chatting and leisurely enjoying the sunset, we noticed that just as the sun set on the distant horizon, a phenomena known as a ‘green flash’ occurred. At first, I felt boggled by what I thought that I had just seen, attributing it to my brain playing tricks on me after too many days of staring too long at a computer screen. I was certain that I was just hallucinating but Dan kept emphatically shouting, ‘Did you see that, the green flash?’ It was then that I started slowly coming around to realize that maybe I really had seen a green flash. Fortunately, Dan had captured evidence on his cameras that the green flash was legit and not just a figment of our vivid imaginations.
The green flash a.k.a. ‘green rays’ are optical phenomena that sometimes occur immediately after sunset or before sunrise. When the conditions are right, a green spot is visible above the upper rim of the disk of the sun. The green appearance usually lasts for no more than a second or two. Green flashes occur because the atmosphere can cause the light from the sun to separate out into different colors. Green flashes are a group of phenomena, which stem from slightly different causes, and therefore some types of green flashes are more common than others.
Next time you are on the seawall taking in a stunning sunset, be sure to pay close attention to the final setting of the sun and you may be lucky enough to witness the elusive ‘green flash’ with your own two eyes.
見たことありますか〜？ 夕日が海に沈むほんの一瞬に緑に輝くというグリーンフラッシュ、毎日眺めていてもなかなか遭遇することがないという神秘現象。
このような感動体験はもちろん国籍問わず興味持たれるわけで、この記事を読んでますます海岸に集まる外国人も増えて来るのではないかと思います（＾＾）
古来琉球の人々も、神の仕業と思ったことでしょうね〜（＾＾）
ワタシも一度は見てみたい〜♪
Living along the Sunabe Seawall, there are evenings when you catch a glimpse of the sky and recognize that a phenomenal sunset is about to go down. These are the evenings when my wife and I dash out of the house to wander the seawall in silent awe of the expansive display of color unfolding in front of us. It was on one of these recent magical evenings when we had the good fortune of meeting up with professional photographer, Dan Bender.
As we sat chit chatting and leisurely enjoying the sunset, we noticed that just as the sun set on the distant horizon, a phenomena known as a ‘green flash’ occurred. At first, I felt boggled by what I thought that I had just seen, attributing it to my brain playing tricks on me after too many days of staring too long at a computer screen. I was certain that I was just hallucinating but Dan kept emphatically shouting, ‘Did you see that, the green flash?’ It was then that I started slowly coming around to realize that maybe I really had seen a green flash. Fortunately, Dan had captured evidence on his cameras that the green flash was legit and not just a figment of our vivid imaginations.
The green flash a.k.a. ‘green rays’ are optical phenomena that sometimes occur immediately after sunset or before sunrise. When the conditions are right, a green spot is visible above the upper rim of the disk of the sun. The green appearance usually lasts for no more than a second or two. Green flashes occur because the atmosphere can cause the light from the sun to separate out into different colors. Green flashes are a group of phenomena, which stem from slightly different causes, and therefore some types of green flashes are more common than others.
Next time you are on the seawall taking in a stunning sunset, be sure to pay close attention to the final setting of the sun and you may be lucky enough to witness the elusive ‘green flash’ with your own two eyes.
2016年11月11日
David の沖縄ライフ！！米軍交通事情！
今回のDavid 沖縄ライフは、米軍の交通手段について書いてくれています。
こういうバス、一度はみたことあるのではないでしょうか？
車を持っていない若い兵士もたくさんいますからね、こういうサポートも必要になってくるわけなんですね。
しかし、その内情というか乗車のルールなんてのもあるのは知りませんでした〜。
一つ知識になりました（＾＾）
それでは読んでみてくださいね♪
On the Okinawa Marine Bases there exists a world class bus service that has been running now over 15 years. On Oct. 14th, the Green Line Bus Service marked the momentous occasion with a big 15th Anniversary Cake Cutting Ceremony.
The goal of the Green Line has always been to offer safe and reliable ground transportation for persons traveling between Marine Corps installations. This service has generally been taken for granted as one that should be provided but what many people don’t realize is that prior to the Green Line’s inception, bus transportation service on the bases had been unreliable and inadequate, to say the least.
The Green Line bus service is free to those who need it but is funded by appropriated funds. Due to the fact that the Green Line is supported using appropriated funds, it’s intended to be used for official purposes only in support of the national defense mission operating within and between Marine Corp facilities and areas on Okinawa, Japan. To this end, the Green Line operates as a ‘shuttle bus’ service, and in order to ride the bus, one must show an ID (i.e. active duty, reserve, retired, military, military family member, base employee traveling for official business).
To date, the Green Line buses have traveled more than 10 million miles and carried more than 13 million passengers. They operate 18 hours a day and 7 days a week, and they have remained in service on the roads of Okinawa with only a few disruptions due to typhoons. Currently, the Green Line fleet consists of over 46 buses that serve 6 camps including MCAS Futenma. The Green Line has come a long way since they turned on the ignition key with a fleet of only 28 buses and 4 vans in 2002.
The Green Line Bus Service is an incredibly great deal. When traveling from base to base on Okinawa using local bus or taxi services, there is no competition. The taxi ride from Camp Hansen to Camp Foster alone will probably run you in the range of ¥8,000. Nonetheless, the Green Line bus service does have some stringent rules that must be respected when riding. First, there is no eating or drinking and you must not use a headset with your cell phone when onboard the buses.
If you are on a Marine Base and need transportation to another base, look no further than the most reliable transit system for military members living on Okinawa. Please remember that real people created this bus system. They set up this service with the intention of improving the quality of life by offering a free convenience easily taken for granted.
It’s important to show our gratitude to the people who provide this reliable and friendly service on a daily basis. Congratulations to the Green Line bus service for operating a respectable business that has been a backbone of the military community on Okinawa for over 15 hard working years.
Map
こういうバス、一度はみたことあるのではないでしょうか？
車を持っていない若い兵士もたくさんいますからね、こういうサポートも必要になってくるわけなんですね。
しかし、その内情というか乗車のルールなんてのもあるのは知りませんでした〜。
一つ知識になりました（＾＾）
それでは読んでみてくださいね♪
On the Okinawa Marine Bases there exists a world class bus service that has been running now over 15 years. On Oct. 14th, the Green Line Bus Service marked the momentous occasion with a big 15th Anniversary Cake Cutting Ceremony.
The goal of the Green Line has always been to offer safe and reliable ground transportation for persons traveling between Marine Corps installations. This service has generally been taken for granted as one that should be provided but what many people don’t realize is that prior to the Green Line’s inception, bus transportation service on the bases had been unreliable and inadequate, to say the least.
The Green Line bus service is free to those who need it but is funded by appropriated funds. Due to the fact that the Green Line is supported using appropriated funds, it’s intended to be used for official purposes only in support of the national defense mission operating within and between Marine Corp facilities and areas on Okinawa, Japan. To this end, the Green Line operates as a ‘shuttle bus’ service, and in order to ride the bus, one must show an ID (i.e. active duty, reserve, retired, military, military family member, base employee traveling for official business).
To date, the Green Line buses have traveled more than 10 million miles and carried more than 13 million passengers. They operate 18 hours a day and 7 days a week, and they have remained in service on the roads of Okinawa with only a few disruptions due to typhoons. Currently, the Green Line fleet consists of over 46 buses that serve 6 camps including MCAS Futenma. The Green Line has come a long way since they turned on the ignition key with a fleet of only 28 buses and 4 vans in 2002.
The Green Line Bus Service is an incredibly great deal. When traveling from base to base on Okinawa using local bus or taxi services, there is no competition. The taxi ride from Camp Hansen to Camp Foster alone will probably run you in the range of ¥8,000. Nonetheless, the Green Line bus service does have some stringent rules that must be respected when riding. First, there is no eating or drinking and you must not use a headset with your cell phone when onboard the buses.
If you are on a Marine Base and need transportation to another base, look no further than the most reliable transit system for military members living on Okinawa. Please remember that real people created this bus system. They set up this service with the intention of improving the quality of life by offering a free convenience easily taken for granted.
It’s important to show our gratitude to the people who provide this reliable and friendly service on a daily basis. Congratulations to the Green Line bus service for operating a respectable business that has been a backbone of the military community on Okinawa for over 15 hard working years.
Map
2016年11月05日
David の沖縄ライフ！！世界に一つのハンドメイドクラフトギフト！
今回のDavid 沖縄ライフは、世界に一つ！ハンドメイドギフトを紹介してくれていますよ（＾＾）
やはり贈答文化が普段の生活に根付いている欧米人にとっては、何をプレゼントするかを常に考えているでしょうし、世界に一つしか無いというのも大きな選択基準になるのでしょうね（＾＾）
それでは！ぜひぜひ最後まで読んでみてくださいね♪
In most cases, one would envision a surfboard shaper as someone who works in a dimly lit room; painstakingly measuring, applying and sanding layer after layer of fiberglass cloth and resin. The only existing lighting is artificial and runs along the side of the walls to ensure that the shaper can set the perfect angles needed for each board.
Yet, one shaper stands alone in his craft. James is a shaper located in Yomitan Village. He prefers to work outside in the natural sunlight rather than in a 'shaping room' with fancy artificial lighting. With a strong passion for surfing and deep inspiration derived from the natural world, James is a motivated shaper with the edge on a niche market he has created through his business ’Reef Line Art.’
James does not specialize in shaping your average surfboard. He actually handcrafts his surfboards using high quality wood sourced from Okinawa that are the perfect size for a hamster to get ‘tubed’ on. James averages a total of 30 hours shaping each piece of wood into handcrafted customized surfboard clocks. He spends hours shaping a surfboard with the perfect lines, curves and angles and then transforms them into his unique clocks. Inspecting the details of his clocks, it was incredible to see that each surfboard was properly shaped using the same techniques and skills that an actual shaper would use. James’ clocks are not mass produced using jig saws and moulds but rather miniature masterpieces to be treasured and shared.
James’ customers are people who appreciate handcrafted artworks over cheap mass produced Okinawa memorabilia regularly displayed on the shelves of stores in American Village. I first met James in his wood shop. He was sanding an enormous half-foot thick slab of wood that he intended to transform into a table. When I returned to see the finished project sanded and lacquered, it didn’t take me long to understand that James was a craftsman with a diverse range of talent and creativity. Currently, he is having a tough time keeping up with surfboard clock orders. Now that the word is out, it seems as if a ‘surfboard clock fever’ has hit and everyone is placing orders.
I spoke to one of his customers, Dick Hardy, about why he purchased a hand shaped surfboard clock from James. Dick went on to say, “I wanted to get my boss a unique gift and not just a run of the mill gift.” James mentioned that on the clock that Dick purchased, he had written his boss’s name and included a map of Okinawa as a unique memorabilia for his boss who was soon to be heading onto his next assignment off the island.
Impressed by the quality craftsmanship in the clock that James had built for Dick Hardy and his boss, I immediately placed an order but due to the high demand, there is now a two-month waiting period before James can complete a clock order. Recently, I had been thoroughly impressed with a company branded clock for the clothing company ‘Oki Life’ so I asked James if he could place our own company logo onto the middle of the custom surfboard clock he was creating for us. He explained his vision and was eager to oblige. I can’t wait to hang it proudly in our office.
If you are in the market for a unique artisan gift for the Okinawa resident ocean lover in your life, then I recommend you check out Reef Line Arts and his handcrafted wooden surfboard clocks. James’ unique concepts combine his passions for surf and nature with his refined craftsmanship. The clocks are not only useful, memorable and thoughtful souvenirs or gifts that keep track of time but also act as an important reminder that we need to slow down a bit and take time to appreciate what really matters in life.
James can be contacted by email at reeflineart@gmail.com and facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reef.lineart.7?fref=ts.
Map
やはり贈答文化が普段の生活に根付いている欧米人にとっては、何をプレゼントするかを常に考えているでしょうし、世界に一つしか無いというのも大きな選択基準になるのでしょうね（＾＾）
それでは！ぜひぜひ最後まで読んでみてくださいね♪
In most cases, one would envision a surfboard shaper as someone who works in a dimly lit room; painstakingly measuring, applying and sanding layer after layer of fiberglass cloth and resin. The only existing lighting is artificial and runs along the side of the walls to ensure that the shaper can set the perfect angles needed for each board.
Yet, one shaper stands alone in his craft. James is a shaper located in Yomitan Village. He prefers to work outside in the natural sunlight rather than in a 'shaping room' with fancy artificial lighting. With a strong passion for surfing and deep inspiration derived from the natural world, James is a motivated shaper with the edge on a niche market he has created through his business ’Reef Line Art.’
James does not specialize in shaping your average surfboard. He actually handcrafts his surfboards using high quality wood sourced from Okinawa that are the perfect size for a hamster to get ‘tubed’ on. James averages a total of 30 hours shaping each piece of wood into handcrafted customized surfboard clocks. He spends hours shaping a surfboard with the perfect lines, curves and angles and then transforms them into his unique clocks. Inspecting the details of his clocks, it was incredible to see that each surfboard was properly shaped using the same techniques and skills that an actual shaper would use. James’ clocks are not mass produced using jig saws and moulds but rather miniature masterpieces to be treasured and shared.
James’ customers are people who appreciate handcrafted artworks over cheap mass produced Okinawa memorabilia regularly displayed on the shelves of stores in American Village. I first met James in his wood shop. He was sanding an enormous half-foot thick slab of wood that he intended to transform into a table. When I returned to see the finished project sanded and lacquered, it didn’t take me long to understand that James was a craftsman with a diverse range of talent and creativity. Currently, he is having a tough time keeping up with surfboard clock orders. Now that the word is out, it seems as if a ‘surfboard clock fever’ has hit and everyone is placing orders.
I spoke to one of his customers, Dick Hardy, about why he purchased a hand shaped surfboard clock from James. Dick went on to say, “I wanted to get my boss a unique gift and not just a run of the mill gift.” James mentioned that on the clock that Dick purchased, he had written his boss’s name and included a map of Okinawa as a unique memorabilia for his boss who was soon to be heading onto his next assignment off the island.
Impressed by the quality craftsmanship in the clock that James had built for Dick Hardy and his boss, I immediately placed an order but due to the high demand, there is now a two-month waiting period before James can complete a clock order. Recently, I had been thoroughly impressed with a company branded clock for the clothing company ‘Oki Life’ so I asked James if he could place our own company logo onto the middle of the custom surfboard clock he was creating for us. He explained his vision and was eager to oblige. I can’t wait to hang it proudly in our office.
If you are in the market for a unique artisan gift for the Okinawa resident ocean lover in your life, then I recommend you check out Reef Line Arts and his handcrafted wooden surfboard clocks. James’ unique concepts combine his passions for surf and nature with his refined craftsmanship. The clocks are not only useful, memorable and thoughtful souvenirs or gifts that keep track of time but also act as an important reminder that we need to slow down a bit and take time to appreciate what really matters in life.
James can be contacted by email at reeflineart@gmail.com and facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reef.lineart.7?fref=ts.
Map
画像一覧 
