Photographer Felicity Ingram [IG] captures American model Yumi Nu in Okinawa for Vogue Japan [IG] September 2024. Styled by Giulia Revolo, Nu wears Fendi on the cover./ Makeup by Kuma; hair by Teiji Utsumi

In 2022, Yumi Nu appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first plus-size model of Asian-American descent to do so.

Nu was born in Englewood, NJ of mixed heritage, with her mother being Japanese and her father of Dutch descent. Her maternal lineage traces back to Okinawa, the largest of Japan’s Ryukyu Islands in the southern part of Japan.

Nu’s grandparents on her mother’s side emigrated from Okinawa to the United States, bringing with them their customs, language dialects, and culinary traditions.

Regrettably, Americans tend to know nothing about Okinawa except it being the site of the last major battle, codenamed Operation Iceberg, of the Pacific War front of WWII. That assertion includes AOC’s knowledge of Okinawa.

Okinawa Revealed

Okinawa is known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage. Less is known about Yumi Nu’s ancestors, the indigenous people of Okinawa, often referred to as the Ryukyuan or Uchinanchu.

The Ryukyuan Kingdom once governed these islands independently until it was annexed by Japan in 1879.

The people of Okinawa are known for their longevity and vibrant cultural practices, their own distinct language, cuisine, music, and dance forms.

Embracing this heritage means appreciating traditional elements such as sanshin music or eisa dance while also recognizing the broader contributions of Okinawans in various fields.

Additionally, Okinawan values such as resilience and community support are reflected in Yumi's public persona. Her advocacy for body positivity and mental health awareness can be seen as an extension of these cultural principles. By embracing both her American upbringing and Okinawan heritage, Yumi Nu creates a nuanced narrative that speaks to the complexity of modern identity.

On a personal note, it’s rare that AOC itself writes about global and historical cultures without a pre-existing knowledge base acquired in my many global experiences in unknown or less-traveled locations.

My instincts are good, though, in sensing a new story — in this case, Okinawa as Ingram’s location.

We thank Yumi Nu for this short, beyond-the-beautiful beaches learning reveal about Okinawa. We will pursue the Okinawa longevity topic, in particular. ~ Anne