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IRABŪ of the Kudaka Island, Okinawa - virtual

Available in 01d 20h 30m 40s
Available October 16, 2025 4:00 AM UTC
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Kudaka Island in Okinawa is home to just over 200 people and holds a sacred cultural legacy centered on the grand IZAIHhō festival, celebrated once every 12 years for more than six centuries. The island is renowned for its traditional production of IRABū, smoked Erabu sea kraits, revered as a divine gift from the gods and once presented at banquets for distinguished guests of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the late 1980s, following the passing of key highest priestesses, both the festival and IRABū making were halted. This documentary seeks to revive that legacy by digitizing unreleased high-definition footage from the last 1978 IZAIHhō and capturing new 4K testimonies from surviving practitioners. By exploring traditional craftsmanship, culinary heritage, and enduring faith, the film emphasizes the importance of passing on traditions across generations, making it essential viewing for those interested in Okinawan cultural history. This extraordinary profound journey into revered heritage.

  • Year
    2025
  • Runtime
    102 minutes
  • Country
    Japan
  • Awards
    Tokyo Documentary Film Festival 2024 Tokyo December 6, 2024 Special Projection at the last day Japan Bangkok Film Award Bangkok August 13, 2025 Thailand Premiere Awarded Thailand
  • Director
    Kazuo OKADA, Yuki SUZUKI
  • Producer
    Kazuo OKADA
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