MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, JP -- Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents attended the Tenkoku stamp class at the Atago Lotus Cultural Center in Iwakuni City, Nov. 14, 2019. The trip to the Atago Lotus Cultural Center gave station residents the opportunity to learn the history of Dokyuru Shoeki and the stamp he brought to Iwakuni.
Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaptation specialist with Marine Corps Community Services, takes MCAS Iwakuni residents on trips year-round to help them learn more about the culture of Iwakuni and Japan.
"Tenkoku engraving has a lot of history behind it. Shoeki brought it here, to Iwakuni, while curing the Iwakuni Lord Hiroyoshi Kikkawa of chronic illnesses. He also brought a book that led to the building of the Kintai Bridge,” said Watanabe. “I arrange these trips for residents to occupy their time and learn more of this exciting history.
The Tenkoku Stamp was created during the ancient era after the technology made its way to Japan from China, and is still used by natives of Japan and several other Asian countries. The engraved stamp was originally created for only the Emperor and royal families to signify their importance and was later adapted as a signature for letters, books and art that all people could use.
The station residents left with a history lesson, their own engraved Tenkoku stamps.
Watanabe says, “We give the residents the opportunity to make memorable items that tie into the history of Japan, so when they look at or use these things, they will remember the history and their experiences.”