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Unique Features of an Okinawan Home
Unique features of old Okinawan homes include Hinpun, used not only as a fence to maintain privacy, but also as a charm to keep out evil spirits; Yashiki Gakoi (hedges surrounding the house) that are not only picturesque, but also double as barriers against storms and fires; and Okinawa’s recycle-oriented design—an ecological house complete with a covered pigsty. Old Okinawan houses illustrate the creative lifestyles of ancient Okinawa.
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What is a Hinpun?
Hinpun refers to a fence installed in front of houses to maintain privacy.
It also acts as a charm against evil spirits, as well as serving as a divider between the inside and outside.
The Hinpun is believed to originate in the fence-like gate used in old Chinese homes.
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Yashiki Gakoi (Hedges)
Traditional Okinawan homes are surrounded by hedges made from stones, shrubs and bamboo. Fukugi (Garcinia subelliptica), Maki (Podocarpus macrophyllu) and Gajumaru (Banyan) are common trees used to create hedges to protect the home from storms and fires. Shrubs such as Gekkitsu (Orange Jessamine), Tsuge (Japanese Box), and Bussoge (Chinese hibiscus) are also commonly planted for ornamental purposes.
Stone fences are divided into several types—the Nozura-zumi, the Nuno-zumi, or the Aikata-zumi, depending on the kind of stone, and how the stone is laid.
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What is Okinawan recycle-oriented design?
Take a closer look at the Okinawan recycle-oriented design house! Many homes had a roofed pigsty in the northern corner of the premises.
Not only was it used as a pigsty, but it doubled as a toilet. It was designed so that when humans relieved themselves in front of the stone wall, the waste would then go through the rectangular holes to feed the pigs.
Around the pigsty was the Yuna plant (Sea Hibiscus), whose leaves were used as toilet paper.
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Other facts about the recycling lifestyle
・ It is often said Chinese customs had a significant influence on those of Okinawa.
・ Radishes and carrots, as well as potato plantlet to feed farm animals were commonly planted in a vegetable garden (Atai) within the grounds of a house.
・ The recycle-oriented design: Roofed pigsty -> Toilet -> Yuna leaves -> Pig feed
* This system was banned for sanitary reasons during the Meiji era.
・ At the Native Okinawan Village, there is a washroom in the pigsty.