Pieces of Home I Carry Wherever I Go

Letting go to make space for the new

I've moved so many places, across countries and continents, since leaving my hometown, Okinawa, Japan. 

At some point, I stopped counting... it was just too many! Some moves were exciting adventures I chose on my own, and others were bittersweet chapters of my life. 

Wherever I settled, my first instinct was always to adapt myself to a new environment, to blend in, and learn a new culture. But that also means letting go of a few things: habits, traditions, and some thing that seemed important in previous homes. Perhaps It was a kind of defence mechanism, a way to make space for the new and find comfort in an unfamiliar place. 

Still, there are some pieces of Japan I can never leave behind. A few traditional items, rituals, and bits of wisdom that were passed down from my ancestors. These are small anchors that remind me who I am, where I come from, wherever I go. 

3 items I always carry with me from Okinawa 

🦁 Shisa : Guardian lions 

Almost every house in Okinawa has a pair of shisas - guardian lion statues - perched on the gates or roof. It said they protect the home and family from evil spirits, as well as to invite prosperity in. My parents' house has one too, of course. 

Originating from China, the male shisa opens his mouth to welcome good luck, happiness, and wealth. On the other hand, the female keeps hers closed to hold those blessings inside. It's an old superstition, but a comforting belief.

Each time I move, I bring a small pair of them with me. They currently sit by my kitchen window, a little worn and faded, still watching over me as it's their mission.

Actually, I think their real "superpower" is making any place feel like home. I just need them for that. 

🥄 Okinawan Sea salt: secret ingredient for longevity 

Okinawa is famous as one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people live long, healthy lives, with a higher-than-average number of centenarians. (Though that’s debated now... perhaps a topic for another day). 

One key element of the Okinawan healthy lifestyle is its diet, and the local salt plays a big part in it.

Each time I go back home, I bring several packages of sea salt with me. It’s rich in minerals and lower in sodium than most salts, giving it a soft, almost sweet taste that adds subtle umami to any dish.

It's not only for cooking. When I feel unwell, I take a small pinch, the way my parents taught me when I was young, to ease the discomfort. It’s a simple recipe that soothes me more than medicine sometimes.

👘 Kimono and its accessories 

Actually, I don't know how to put on a kimono perfectly by myself, and it's a bit too flashy for non-Japanese eyes, so I haven't had many occasions to wear it abroad. But my kimono is something I could never leave behind.

My kimono, along with its accessories, bag, and zori sandals, was offered to me by my parents. In Japan, kimonos are often given or inherited within families and considered a kind of asset. Something of both beauty and value.

I'm not sure if mine still holds any material worth today, but that doesn’t matter. For me, it’s precious because it represents my parents’ affection and care. 

No matter how old I get or how far I move, I’ll always be their daughter. And this kimono reminds me of that. It's a piece of the legacy and love that always travels with me.

Each of these things: the Shisa, the sea salt, and the kimono, carries a piece of home, a thread connecting me to where I come from. They’re not just objects, but gentle reminders of my roots, my family, and the comfort of belonging somewhere.

Wherever I move, I create a new version of “home,” but these small symbols help me stay grounded. They remind me that even when life changes, and I change with it, I still carry pieces of my home and my culture with me.

After all, home isn’t only a place. It’s what we hold in our hearts, and what we choose to bring along on the journey.

Thanks for reading this far. These are my small reflections, but I’m curious about yours. Feel free to share your thoughts or your own story in the comments, or write to me at info@bykuniko.com!