Shimi holiday on Kadena

A Shinto priest leads a family in prayer before beginning to move their family’s remains at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. The visiting families came together to pay respects to their ancestors for the annual holiday of Shimi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

An Okinawan family presents offerings to their ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. During Shimi, the tombs are cleaned up and family members come together to provide offerings to their ancestors and bring dishes to have small gatherings in front of the tombs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

Pottery from an ancestral tomb is prepared to be moved during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. During Shimi, the tombs are cleaned up and family members come together to provide offerings to their ancestors and bring dishes to have small gatherings in front of the tombs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

An Okinawan prays at his family’s tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. Shimi is the time of year when Okinawan families come together to clean tombs, offer food and pray to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

A family offers prayers and snacks during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. Okinawan families offer prayers and food at their ancestral tombs in Kadena’s munitions storage unit, where tombs have been located since before World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

Family members prepare to move their ancestor’s remains during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. Okinawan families offer prayers and food at their ancestral tombs in Kadena’s munitions storage unit, where tombs have been located since before World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

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Shimi holiday on Kadena

Published April 9, 2024
By Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker
18th Wing

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A Shinto priest leads a family in prayer before beginning to move their family’s remains at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2024. The visiting families came together to pay respects to their ancestors for the annual holiday of Shimi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)