Iha Fuyū
Iha Fuyū | |
|---|---|
Iha Fuyū | |
| Born | March 15, 1876 Naha, Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Died | August 13, 1947 (aged 71) Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation | Scholar and writer (Okinawan culture and history) |
| Genre | Academic nonfiction |
| Literary movement | Okinawa has original culture but at the same time is under the influence of Japan |
| Notable works | Ko Ryūkyū (Ancient Ryukyu), Studies on Omoro Sōshi |
Iha Fuyū (伊波 普猷, March 15, 1876 – August 13, 1947) is considered the father of Okinawaology and was a Japanese scholar who studied various aspects of Japanese and Okinawan culture, customs, linguistics, and folklore. He signed his name as Ifa Fuyu in English, because of the Okinawan pronunciation. Iha studied linguistics at the University of Tokyo and was devoted to the study of Okinawan linguistics, folklore, and history. His most well-known work, Ko Ryūkyū (Ancient Ryūkyū), was published in 1911 and remains one of the best works on Okinawan studies. He devoted much time to uncovering the origins of the Okinawan people to establish their history. He had considerable influence not only on the study of Okinawan folklore but also on Japanese folklore.