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Boat! :-)

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Oh no, our oysters....:-(

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Miyako Diaries 8: Sugar Cane Whispers

Between April and June 1945, the Ryukyu archipelago saw one of the most devastating series of warfare in the Pacific Theater, as the ailing Japanese Empire stood on its last legs to deter the Allied advances to its mainland. Total deaths counted 200,000, Japanese and Allied, and 120,000 of them were men and women indigenous to Okinawa, largely civilian. Miyako Island was subject to 2,500 air raids and countless naval gunfire during this period, leveling all of its villages to the ground, and eve...

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A new chapter :-)

Housemaid Kuuko

"Welcome home, my Master!!"

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Guess who she is :-)

Miyako Diaries 7: Intermission

Despite the Mai-bama being such a long stretch of a beach, it's surprising that there is only one beach hut in the area - the one and only Windy Mai-bama, serving tapas, beverages, and of course Miyako noodles throughout the summer months. Its weathered outer walls and the orange slated roof are a signature sight on this otherwise impeccable sand beach.   

Chihaya was out of the water now. Gulp, gulp -...

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:-)

Miyako Diaries 6: Downtown Aya

Island girl Aya is back again in Hirara Villa to do some of her "urban" exploration! (well, what she thinks to be "urban"- let's respect her judgment) Here, her focus is not on the hardware store on Nishizato Street - she has seen it dozens of times in her life and it's nothing special - but something on the upper level, with a discreetly inviting sign board. "Club Goddesses of Okinawa," it reads, which has amused the curious Aya. Are there goddesses there like...

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Connecting the dots....(between Shrine Maidens and Kuuko)

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And her "trial" begins...(jk)

February 2016 patron supported

Thank you so much for the support this month!

Miyako Diaries 5: Memories of the Keep

A “jaunty-step” Chihaya is following the time-worn limestone pavement up to the Kurima Beacon, a remnant of a small lookout with a grand oceanic view. Installed in 1644 by the regime of the Ryukyu Kingdom (yes – Miyako was part of a kingdom back then – isn’t that cool?). The lookout provided for a commanding oversight on the maritime traffic between Kurima and Miyako as well as the less occasional wildfires. It was further extended out by the Imperial Army during the World War II....

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And here talks Yugao the Grand Priestess...Aster's favorite character!:-)

Miyako Diaries 4: The Road Guardian

Aya stands beside a Miyako Mamoru-kun, "Miyako Guardian," that stands watch in front of the Tourist Center, downtown Hirara (if you want to call it a downtown). Mamoru-kun is one of twenty or so police officer dummies that are placed throughout the Island to promote road safety. To the amusement (and sometimes bewilderment) of the native Islanders, Mamoru-kun has attracted...

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For those who are not on the full pledge program yet...The Kuuko Trials has been released as promised!! Thank you so much for your support!!

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And here it begins...:-)

Shrine Maiden Kuuko

And for those who have forgotten...Kuuko is a "High Priestess of the Order of Himemiya"! ...And her story launching very soon!

A7M3 Kokone Takatsu

"Alpha san...did you know? We are made out of sounds and whispers...."

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Thanks for your patronage!

Miyako Diaries 3: Kurima Islet Cove

Across from the main Island via a mile-long roadbridge, Kurima Islet Cove is  a small, tranquil inlet that is on the northeastern shore of the dwarf island of Kurima. Complete with miniature fishing docks and a very humble breakwater (normally empty, except for the occasional minivans from the diving schools), it does have a great view of the wide clean strip of Yonaha Mae-hama and, looking toward north, of Kurara Villa's unpretentious skyline as well...

First Mission: Accomplished!!

Thank you for making our first goal of $100 cumulative pledges possible! And Kuuko will see you very soon in her oncoming adventures!

You patrons are truly amazing!!:-)

Thank You Patrons!

My dear patrons and followers - thank you so much for your support during January!

Most sincere gratitude from Chihaya :-)

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Thank you for your patronage!

January 2016 patron supported

Thank you so much for the support this month!

Miyako Diaries 2: Yonaha Mai-bama Beach

The path opened its way onto the beach. Stepping off the turf and onto the sand, Chihaya was amused by how the finely ground sand slipped up through her toes, like remnants of the summer before she has now come back to retrieve. In front of her were the sparkling green waves of South China Sea, actually a narrow strait between Miyako and bordering Kurima Islet, a forested, gently curving shape above the water that was more of a heap than an island.

There were hardly anyone else on the beac...

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Chihaya Natori and Aya Isuzu from our Five Minute Summer feat will be heroines in this series available to our patrons.

As a refresher :-) - Chihaya is a cute (but a bit introvert) sixteen year-old from the city who visits Shion Island for vacation. Her first stay there was in the past summer when her parents were starting to work out a s divorce (they are okay now). Aya, agile and jo...

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Thank you for your patronage...as always!

Miyako Diaries

Miyako Island (Miyako-jima) is an island of Japan's subtropical Ryukyu archipelago, lying approximately 1,900 km (1,100 miles) southwest of Tokyo and 400 km (250 miles) east of Taipei. Gifted with some of the most renowned scenic beauties in East Asia, it is the model for Shion Island, where our story of Five Minute Summer takes place in DeviantArt.

Over the next few w...