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Peace, Love, Machigua & Tsuboya FestivalDate Posted: 1999-10-19 "Machigua" means "downtown" in Okinawan dialect, and usually indicates the busy shopping area of downtown Naha. Tsuboya is the area in Naha City that still retains an atmosphere of the good old days of Okinawa. As its name suggests ("Tsubo" means a pot in Japanese), "Tsuboya" is known as the town of pottery. There are many "Yachimun" shops along the main street. The festival offers a good opportunity to experience the downtown life of the island, as well as a chance to find a piece or two of the traditional Okinawa industrial arts. This year will mark the festival’s 11th anniversary. It has been gaining a lot of popularity, not only in eyes of island natives, but also tourists from all over country and the world. The festival is for its unique attractions. In order to bring out the unique aspects of each area, Machigua and will individually host some of the major events. At the "Machigua" area, which includes the Heiwa Street, Ichiba Chuou Street, and Sunrise Shopping District, six performance platforms will be erected. A variety of music, from Okinawan folk to Jazz, will electrify the air. Each stage is 10-15 minute-walk apart, and access from one to another is easy. At the "Kousetsu-Ichiba" Market, which is often dubbed "Okinawa's Kitchen" for its rich diversity of foods, organizers will offer a free buffet-style Okinawan food tasting. They will prepare typical Okinawan tastes-of-mom and offer the sweet tastes of tropical fruits to approximately five hundred people. Lucky festival followers will probably run into the funny "Chindonya", a group of street musicians dressed like clowns, and Eisa-Dance troupes, while exploring the streets. Face painting by students from Naha Beauty School will be featured at two locations: one will be across from Makishi Bus stop and another along Heiwa Street. For those who are interested in finding a piece of nice pottery or two, "Tsuboya" area might be a good place to start their exploration. Tsuboya area is known as the town of pottery, where Ryukyu kingdom integrated kilns throughout the island in the 17th century. There are "Yachimun" shops lined up along the pavement. A visit to the Pottery Museum is anther possible option for those who wish to study more about "Yachimun". From Friday to Sunday, "Great Ceramic Ware Market" will be held with a variety of ceramic ware available at modest prices. Just like last year, a classic Jazz concert will bring a relaxing mood to the streets. Festivities will begin at 12:00pm and will continue until 9:30pm. From 2:30pm to 8:00pm, Yachimun Street in Tsuboya will be closed to all vehicles |
   
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