Spendor of Okinawa Bonus: A story from the Ryukyu Kingdom (Sunday: 21ja24)
The Jug from the Dragon Kingdom A long time ago, there was an able-bodied young fisherman named Masaria living on Miyako Island. One night as usual, Masaria went out fishing in his sabani (small slim Okinawan boat). As he was fishing, suddenly his fishing pole bent like a bow and his line reeled out with tremendous force. With his heart pounding, Masaria dug in his heels and skillfully reeled in the line. The catch he landed was a manta ray, so lily white that it seemed transparent. (A Ryukuan: Awamori ( Saki ) Jug) Masaria had never before seen a ray so beautiful. With his heart thumping, he gently tried to stroke the ray. As soon as he touched it, the ray turned in a flash into a beautiful maiden. Masaria was stupefied, but, with his heart stolen by such a beautiful maiden, he passed the night with her as if in a dream. After that experience, every day Masaria’s mind was totally taken up by thoughts of the maiden. But the sea maiden did n...