Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Henza Island Image: Kobashigawa Mitsu 小桥川みつ

Friends Along the Way in Okinawa

 

Every now and then, in traveling these islands, it's easy to get sidetracked.

The mission April 13, 2013 was to document a cultural event on Henza Island, the Sanguacha.

Meeting Kobashigawa Mitsu, turned out to be the highlight of my day.


She was sitting at a picnic table in the shade.

Stopping to get a drink of water and cool-off, out of the hot sun, I met her.

We became friends in just a few minutes.

When I asked if I could take her photo, she agreed and, even signed a model release.

My release forms are in Japanese because, that's mostly who I deal with in my line of work.

She signed the form in Japanese and English.  I promised her some prints.

She told me to just bring them to the store we were sitting in front of.

Everyone there knows her.



Time Flies and a Month Went By

 

 

 

On the last, rainy Sunday in May, I drove back to Henza Island to deliver the photos.

Inside the little Mom and Pop store, there were only three or four people.

When a woman saw me showing the photos to the cashier, she took a look at them.

Then, she pointed to a corner where a woman was bending over at a freezer.

It was Kobashigawa Mitsu.

When she saw me, she busted out in smiles.

Handing her the prints, I apologized for taking so long and thanked her.

Then, I paid for her ice cream. 

Don't tell the wife !




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