Champions of Ideology
Last week I visited the Yoko Gushiken museum in Ishigaki
island. It was an interesting moment because of the way it connected to the
many discussions of the week relating to decolonization, nationalism and
activism. Gushiken is a celebrity in Japan and in the international world of
boxing. He was the WBA Flyweight Champion for five years, with a record of 23-1,
15 wins by KO. Although he came from the small island of Ishigaki he fought in
rings around the world. In a two-story house on the edge of the tourist area of
Ishigaki City, you will find his museum. It has his trophies, images of him and
a mock practice ring with highlights from his matches playing on a TV nearby. Throughout
the museum was images of eagles, as the eagle is an important animal to
Ishigaki Island and it was his symbol that he put on his uniform and on his
promotional materials. You might wonder what a boxer like Gushiken might have
to do with the conference I was attending, where Okinawan Independence was the
m…