류큐⋅오키나와(인)의 아이덴티티 형성사 －문학 텍스트를 중심으로－

Abstract

The most noticeable feature in forming of Okinawa(RyuKyu) identity is that it changed and circulated according to each generation. To distinguish this by generations, first. the point of origin can be the Sino-Japanese War after the ‘disposition of RyuKyu'. During this age, as the Chinese power was reorganized to Japan, ‘Okinawan' was set since the Okinawan was the body to be assimilated by oneself. However, this brought out the paradox which showed the principal of Okinawan more clearly as they abandoned ‘Okinawa way' and desired complete assimilation to Japan. This paradoxical situation, which was confronted by Okinawan Identity, stood out more as the assimilation policy of Japanese Empire was fully fledged. Though the intellects of Okinawa in this age recognized Chosun and Taiwan as the minority problem and sympathized deeply of the segregation accompanied with colonizing, they wanted to keep their distance from it and exposed two sided recognition. This here clearly shows the limits of Okinawan Identity which can only be visualized through the distinctions with other nationalities. The identity, that was contended between Okinawa and Japan, developed into more complex aspect as Japan experience land battle during the World War II, and through the occupation of American troops. In other word, they were placed in situation where they had to seek their identity again since they were in the boundary of not being the ‘Japanese' even if they were but not even the American by the intervention of new variable called America. Lastly, the generation, since the ‘return' to Japan to present, displayed more variety of aspects than any other generations.