Our final treasure today might be difficult to spot.
We are going to move away from the main street of Okinawa Village and turn onto the small road between the Noro house and the Minka. Depending on the season, the road might be covered with thick branches, but once you pass this and go up the sloping road, you’ll come to a set of stone stairs. At the top of this hill lies a stone wall with an opening in the middle.
This is where you will find the final treasure:
the ocean.
Have you ever heard the word “Nirai-Kanai”? The Okinawan people believe that beyond the ocean lies a world called “Nirai-Kanai” and when the gods of that world come to visit the human world they bring with them a bountiful harvest and good fortune. Thus, they pay their respects to the world beyond the ocean, even if it cannot be seen.
In Okinawa, places of worship are referred to as Uganjyu, and many festivals are held in these places of worship. These spaces are often separated from the residential areas, off the beaten path from the communities themselves.
Since you have made it to this space, take a moment to observe the ocean.
Imagine treasure being sent from the other side of the ocean to you.
And then, take a moment to reflect on this question:
What kind of treasure is making its way from the other side of the ocean to you?
