Kyoko Miyazawa talked about traditional canoe building and sailing in the Caroline Islands while showing documentary videos taken on Polowat, Federated States of Micronesia.

The database with the 33 pieces of short documentary video made by Studio UMI is now open to the public.

Studio UMI collaborated with the project team of the thematic Exhibition of National Museum of Ethnology “Maritime People and Art of Their World : Material Culture in Southeast Asia and Oceania” and made videos and panels from own original footages and photographs.

Vimeo On Demand by Studio UMI

Studio UMI on Vimeo

YouTube Channel of Studio UMI

Studio UMI, as an official filming team of the project of “Holistic Reenactment Project of the Voyage 30,000 years ago”, covered whole activities of the project --- constructions and test voyage by reed bundle rafts (Yonaguni Island in Okinawa, 2016), bamboo rafts (Taiwan 2017-2018 ), dugout canoe(Japan 2017-2018), and the final experimental voyage by the dugout canoe named “Sugime” from Taiwan to Yonaguni Island in 2019.

The Oceanic Culture Museum, which had undergone renovation for two years, had re-opened on October 12, and the permanent exhibition of the Carolinian traditional voyaging canoe Lien Polowat has started. After the sailing from Polowat to Guam in June, Lien Polowat was dismantled and shipped to Okinawa, and was reassembled in August by the sailors who had also carved the canoe. The Master Navigator Teo Onopey and the seven sailors Aidel Martin, Mariano Benito, Akilino Micky, Andrew Afin, Selvio Ainam, Joel Mario and Siano Rickima showed lashing technique to the visitors when the museum was temporary opened during the summer vacation. Mikey, the late Manny Sikau’s son, and Ward Kranz of TASI, Mario Benito and Kyoko Miyazawa helped their work. Now you can see the beautiful shape of Lien Polowat and watch the videos featuring the construction and the sailing of Lien Polowat in the museum.

Carolinian traditional voyaging canoe Lien Polowat left Polowat on June 13, stayed one night at an inhabited island Pik on June 14, left Pik on June 15 and arrived at Guam on June 18. Teo Onopey, the Pwo-ordained Master Navigator and the Chief of Polowat, decided the departure date by observing the weather in traditional way and successfully avoided bad weather. Lien Polowat showed great performance on the open sea, and proved the renowned skills and knowledge of Polowat seafarers. Chief Teo Onopey and the other eight crews Aidel Martin, Mariano Benito, Akilino Micky, Andrew Afin, Selvio Ainam, Joel Mario, Siano Rickima, and Kyoko Miyazawa as a cameraman sailed with the late Manny Sikau in their hearts. Ward Kranz, Kayoko Kushima of TASI (Traditions About Seafaring Islands) collaborated with Studio UMI and contributed a lot in many ways since the beginning of the project. Osamu Monden and Yoshinori Sugiura got on board the chase boat Nien Chuuk and filmed Lien Polowat sailing gracefully and fast around Pik. Mario Benito collaborated with the filming team and contributed as a great bridge between Japanese and Polowat Community. Dr.Larry Cunningham, who had introduced Studio UMI to Manny in 2005, had been encouraging the project members from the States. Studio UMI appreciates for all who had helped the project.
THANK YOU MANNY and POLOWAT COMMUNITY BOTH ON POLOWAT AND GUAM.

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=35293:video-master-navigator-chief-theo-says-manny-sikaus-spirit-was-with-them-on-open-ocean-journey-to-guam&Itemid=156

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2013/January/Wed23/local.htm

Lien Polowat was successfully launched by the master navigator and carver Manny Sikau and Teo Onopey together with the carvers, women and children of Polowat who had contributed to the construction. Manny performed traditional ritual at the launching, and all Polowat community celebrated by sharing food. Manny named the canoe Lien Polowat (beautiful lady of Polowat) to remember all women who had provided food and supported the carvers in many ways during the construction and to express gratitude for them.

The Oceanic Culture Museum assigned Studio UMI to coordinate a project of constructing a new Carolinian voyaging canoe on Polowat for the museum’s permanent exhibition and to film the whole process of the canoe construction. Studio UMI and Manny Sikau, the Pwo-ordained Navigator from Polowat, made an agreement to build the canoe in traditional way without any electric power, and only with traditional materials such as coconut fiber ropes, sap from breadfruit, coral lime and local woods. On March 15, the ritual was held by Manny in front of the breadfruit tree that would be a main hull. Chief of Polowat Teo Onopey and many experienced carvers and young carvers will work together.

Studio UMI visited Indonesia to research a traditional rice planting ceremony “Upacara Ngaseuk” in Kanekes village, Banten Province.

Studio UMI visited Majuro, Marshall Islands, and started making a TV program ,featuring activities of local NGO "WAM" (Waan Aelon in Majel = Canoes of Marshall Islands). Helped by the master canoe builder, Tiem Clement, we completed the traditional canoe called Korkor. We sailed to Enemanit Island with WAM's members, the trainees, and the director Alson J.Kelen. We witnessed Biorock installed in the underwater of Enemanit.

Kyoko Miyazawa filmed Yapese traditional dances performed at the site of Yap Day on Guam.

Kyoko Miyazawa visited Yap to film the first annual Yap Canoe Festival held in 23-25 October.

Studio UMI made a documentary on “Whale Shark Interaction Tour” in Donsol, Philippines, for NHK's documentary program “Asian Smile”.

Kyoko Miyazawa and Osamu Monden presented the footage of “Canoes in Daily Life of Ifalik, Micronesia: Torch Fishing for Flying Fish and Kite Fishing”. Also enjoyed “Guam Micronesian Island” Fair at Ypao Beach and mingled with Chamorro artists, TASI's members etc.

Osamu Monden and Taku Iida(National Museum of Ethnology) visited Madagascar to research traditional canoes and houses.

Studio UMI filmed traditional fishing activities for flying fish and local believes and legends related to flying fish for NHK’s documentary program. In Lan Yu Island in Taiwan, we followed Austronesian ingenious people Tao whose life are so much depended on flying fish. In Ifalik in Yap State, Micronesia, we covered the traditional torch fishing for flying fish in which islanders use many pieces of torches made of coconut fronds from single outrigger canoes. In West Sulawesi, in Indonesia, we followed Mandar fishermen to Makassar Strait by double outrigger sailing canoe called sandeq and covered their fishing technique using unique fish trap made of bamboo, coconut leaves and seaweed. And in South Sulawesi(Galesong) in Indonesia, we covered the whole process of catching flying fish’s eggs for export.

The English version DVD of documentary film “Chechemeni’s adventure” now on sale !

Documentary film “Chechemeni's adventure” features a 3,000 km canoe expedition from Satawal Island to Okinawa done in 1975 by Chechemeni, a Calolinian traditional canoe, and 6 courageous sailors including famous captain, Reppwanglug. Traditional Seafaring Society (TSS) of Guam University helped us to translate English subtitles. See & Order.