Sunday, May 28, 2017

Travel Photo: At a Noro House in Itoman

Rituals at a priestess home in Okinawa


Noro: An Okinawan Priestess



This image comes from my files dated June 2013 and, was just processed today.

Things have a habit of sneaking up on me this time of year. I get extremely busy.

The event above, happens at the conclusion of the Itoman Hare or Dragon Boat Races.

For some reason, the races are taking place early than usual and, I won't be attending.

My calendar, has already been filled, going into the month of July.

The Itoman Hare happens to kickoff at 0900 tomorrow !

Historically, these dragon boat races, signal the end of Okinawa's rainy season.

To see more about these rituals, have a look at some previous posts:









Saturday, May 27, 2017

Some Angels Helped with this One

Good Travels Advisor, certificate


What's Good Travels ?



A simple definition: Volunteering while out travelling the world.

It could involve, working on a farm, helping fisherman or, teaching little kids.

Sometimes, it's things like disaster assistance or relief, after a bad storm or earthquake.

Beach cleanups, neighborhood beautification projects, the list could go on and on.

They say, back in the USA about a quarter of the population, does some kind of volunteering.

And, millennials (aged 18-34) are the most generous generation, with their time and money.

Heck, I know lots of people in that generation so, I decided to get myself a certification.




The Travel Agent Academy Made Me Do It  




In order to gain this certification, which cost a few bucks, I had to call for some help.

The course was only offered to agents in North America.  Well, I'm a North American.

The angel's names, won't be published, for (um) privacy reasons.

A couple of them, flew me and my office, over to a place called Sleepy Hollow.

Off I went and arrived in New York State and hurried to finish all the testing.

I had to get back to Okinawa, before sundown and, print my diploma.

Probably, tomorrow morning, I'll go change my address and phone number.  Maybe.

Now that I'm certified, I'll start building a list, for those who'd like to volunteer locally.

Here's a few links, to places some folks may want to checkout:













As more information on volunteerism becomes available, new sites will be added.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Doing Hawaiian Island Tests in Okinawa

Hawaii Destination Specialist Certificate


Still in Okinawa



Last week I took some gruelling tests, to get certified in Switzerland but, didn't go there. 

There's something special, you may not know about me.

My grandmother and mother were 100% Swiss and I'm half Swiss, too.

They both went to Heaven. Just me and my Swiss Army Knife are here in Okinawa.

Oh, and one of my daughters has been to Switzerland and brought back a brass cowbell. 

I put the gadget on the dog's collar. It's just a miniature thing and, so is the dog.

The Travel Agent Academy, hooked me up with Switzerland Tourism.

They have their own Travel Academy and, I went to it online. It wasn't easy.

The application was the worst part. They grilled me pretty good.

See, I'm not a travel agent. "What are you trying to do, trying to get into our academy?"

The American Travel Agent Academy, sent me there's, what I told them.

Travel professionals, aren't always agents. I do travel photography and writing.

So, I showed them some of my credentials. It felt like I was being looked at by the CIA.

After awhile, they let me in and said, "You can do it."  So, I did.

Once, I passed all the tests, they made me a Switzerland Travel Expert.

There were languages, history, culture, transportation, festival, sports and location exams.

It's beautiful country but, they get snow. I don't really want to go there.


Hawaii poster, Waikiki, travel



Hawaii's a Possibility




This is a place, I been to and, wouldn't mind visiting again.

It snows up in the mountains, there sometimes but, I'd stay at lower elevations.

Years ago, I used to get sent there for conferences, boring conferences.

All these years, I thought I had been going to the Hawaii Island, the big one.

Whenever, we weren't confrontating, I was out in Waikiki celebrating.

Matter of fact, what those conferences were about, slips my mind, at the moment.





Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau



They have their own courses over there and, are hooked up with the Travel Agent Academy.

That's where I've been going for the past few days, from my office in Okinawa.

First, I took the courses, to become a Hawaii Destination Specialist.

What an eyeopener that turned out to be. Hawaii has a bunch of islands.

All the times, I'd been to Hawaii, I was on Oahu, not Hawaii Island. Who'd a thunk ?



Certificate, Hawaii Destination Expert



There's no sense, staying a specialist, when you can become an expert.

So, that's what I've been doing, over the past 48 hours.

Geography, history, culture, language, festivals and transportation of six Hawaiian islands.

Yellow flip-flops are probably, acceptable attire, over there.

So, I might have to go back and, visit one of these days and, bring the bride along.

Do romantic stuff like, horse riding and, shooting live volcanoes with my Pentax.

Honey, don't that sound like fun ?

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Wordless Wednesday: Word from Google Maps

screen shot of email from Google Maps

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Mr. Miyagi and the Stone Marker in Kunigami

Memorial, Robert Morris Flynn, killed in action, USN, Jun 15 1945


Image on a Clipboard



Today's visit to Kunigami was for the purpose of gaining some information.

Doc Graff and I, have visited Mr. Miyagi a few times before and, he's very friendly.

Searching for a book concerning King Sho-en, I wasn't having much luck.

Miyagi, used to be in an office, next to the library. He's a historian.

We asked if, the gal working there, could give him a call and, she seemed puzzled.

There are many people, with the name Miyagi, in  northern Okinawa.

I told her, we're looking for the Miyagi, who's kinda ancient, like me, she knew, who I meant.

She placed a call and, started to turn on the air conditioning, for us, while we waited.

"Nah, we don't need AC, we'll go outside and do some smoking." I told her.

Miyagi, showed up, smiling and waving, from half a block away.

Inside the library, he understood, exactly what I was searching for and, hurried back home.

He showed up with an old book, he had highlighted pages on and, got to work.

Miyagi, got an unmarked copy off the reference shelf and, had copies of pages, made for me.

When I tried to pay for the pages, the gal told me, they are free. Yay !

Thanking Mr. Miagi and the girl in the office, we were ready to go down the highway.

But, Miyagi had a request. "Could we translate something from English to Japanese?"

Heck yeah. The guy always helps us. So, he ran back to his house again.

We found a spot in the shade and, did some more smoking. Miyagi was back in minutes.

He had a color photo attached to a clipboard. I took an iPhone camera snap of it.

We got the translation done and, Miyagi scribbled it down, under the photo.

He was delighted. He started telling us the story, behind the memorial stone.

Then, asked if, we had a few minutes to spare and, a car, to go see the stone marker.

The three of us headed off, in Doc's automobile and, were there shortly later.

It took awhile, peeking through some bushes, in mosquito and habu land, to find it.



Robert Morris Flynn Memorial Library, stone, marker


Our cameras, were left behind, in the car.  This is another iPhone photo.

We got out of the bushes and, Mr. Miyagi continued with the story. He was very happy.

He waved his hands and almost danced, with joy, thanking us and giving a history lesson.

He even, had us walk a bit, down into town, to show us where the library, used to be.

Back in 1945, some Imperial Army soldiers, spotted Robert M. Flynn.

He was crouched down, sort of hiding. Two soldiers shot him at close range.

Then, Miyagi motioned, as if swinging a sword. Flynn whacked their heads off.

Then, hopped in a vehicle and escaped from, anyone else encountering him.

He died from his wounds that day. But, Miyagi was glad, the enemy soldiers got killed, too.

He kept hopping around, bowing to us and, practically danced in the street with joy.

He wanted that stone translated and, kept thanking us for our help.

Doc, offered to drive him back to his home and, he just wanted to walk. What a guy !

He's going to have that memorial marker, cleaned up and, put it back, where it came from.

We'll have to return and, join him, when his restoration is complete.



Back at the Office



A little Google Search helped me find some information concerning the stone marker.


screenshot from USN WWII casualty records


There wasn't any more information available in these records. I'll look for more.

Maybe, someone who reads this blog, can come up with something more detailed.

It's a sad story but, something I believe, needs more investigation.

There aren't many people, still alive, who remember the Battle of Okinawa.

And, I think it's important, for both sides, to learn from it and, remember.

Don't you ?

Monday, May 22, 2017

Okinawan Folktale: The Origins of Shimakanka

Sketch of hand grabbing young man's hair, grave, cave, cow



Not the Typical Love Story



Shimakanka, is a ritual celebration held in some villages in the Ryukyu Island Chain.

Last year, with the help of some friends, I attended the event in Ginoza Village.

The story was published at Stars and Stripes Okinawa Feb 22, 2016.

The portion, concerning the folklore, I will re-post here as, it is an interesting folk story.



A Grisly Folk Tale


Long before this island became Okinawa, it was Ryukyu and, way before the Ryukyu Kingdom existed as an independent country, the land was ruled by Lords, known as Aji. They built castles in their territories, to defend the populations and lands, under their control, from other Aji, seeking to increase their power.

One of these Lords had an only daughter. An epidemic, raging through the islands, took the life of his beautiful young girl. Heartbroken and grieving, he buried her in a cave along the east coast of the island.

That same day, a young man who had bought a cow was heading home with his animal tied to a rope.
Dark clouds suddenly appeared and, he decided to take shelter from an approaching thunderstorm. As the rain began to fall, he tied the cow to a nearby tree and took shelter at the entrance to the cave.

From the overhang of the cavern he watched water splash as small streams flowed, carrying leaves and earth away from just outside his shelter. He shivered and thought how lucky bovines must be. Their thick hide protects them from the ice cold rain. The weather didn't seem to phase cattle. And, he started thinking, how nice some of his grandmother's hot tea, would be, to have right now.



Extremely Chilling Experience




Shaking and coughing from getting wet, he thought he may be catching a cold and wanted to get home.
As the rain slacked off, he decided to get out of the cave, grab the cow and hurry on towards home.

He knew, for sure, grandmother would insist, he change clothes and drink a steaming kettle of hot ocha.
Then something happened to really make him want to hurry out of that shelter. A voice shouted. It was a woman's scream from under a pile of stones in the cave. “Help me. Please get me out of here!”

Thinking, it was a ghost the boy began to run. On his first step to leave the cave, a hand grabbed him by the hair on the back of his head. When he tried to run, the grasp just became tighter. The voice cried out, “Help me, please. I'm a young girl who fainted with illness. My parents thought I died and buried me here. I am alive; help me!”

Assured that it was a human in need, the young man removed the rocks burying her body and rescued her. The rain stopped and he carried her outside. He scooped fresh water from a flowing spring and nourished her. Leaving the cow behind, he carried the young woman, on his back, to her father's castle.



Exuberance at the Castle


The sentries at the castle announced the miracle of the princesses return. Everyone was ecstatic, the Lord's only daughter had survived. This was an occasion for a feast and a big celebration.

The Aji announced to the lad, “As a reward, I will give you anything you desire.” Without blinking an eye the boy said, “OK. I'd like to have your daughter as my wife.”

The Lord roared, “Peasant, you can't have this woman of royal blood as a bride!” That, got everybody shaking. “Father, I have already been considered dead, once. Please, let me be this man's wife.”

The daughter's plea, touched the Lord and, he gave the blessing for their marriage.



Slaughter of the Cow



The young man escorted an entourage, from the castle to the cavern, where the girl had been buried.
The grave site in the mountain was cleaned up and the cow was sacrificed near the cavern entrance.

Pampas grass, tied in loops was soaked in the animal's blood and used to shoo away evil spirits.
Today, the loops of grass, known as, “San” may be seen placed as amulets to ward off evil.

The San may be seen at entrances to villages and, at the corners of homeowners properties.
In some locations, they may be soaked in animal's blood but, no blood was seen in Sokei, Ginoza.


Photography and text by Michael Lynch

Verbal translation by Mami Sakiyama

Text translation by Alina Rădulescu (Folklorist)

Sketch by Atsushi Maezato



MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE

Friday, May 19, 2017

Drivel Can Get Annoying on Facebook

screenshot from Google Search, meaning of drivel


It May Hurt Someone's Feelings



The "Like and Share" -- "Copy and Paste" Facebook hooligans did it again.

Each morning, I check the iPhone before, heading off to work, on a real computer.

It's nice, to get rid of all the junk mail and, peek at Facebook activity, while still at home.

There are Friends, photographers, writers and business associates, in my Facebook feed.

We share things, that may be of interest to other friends of ours. That's cool.

And, I'm sure, we all get our fair share of things, that ain't so interesting.

I might hit the "Like" button because, somebody taped their kid's picture on the fridge.

But, won't share it on my Timeline for everyone else, to see.

Like stuff, don't Like it; so far, we still have freedom of choices. And, that's cool, too.

Some, "Drivel" gets sent around, with your name tagged or via Facebook Messenger.

These days, it's hard to tell if, it really came from your friend or, a hacker.

Matter of fact, it could even be some Facebook marketing study, generating the drivel.

Human beings, have enough brains to Like or Share, whatever they want to.

If, they don't like something they probably, won't share it. Know what I mean ?

Robots can probably be programed, to do those sorts of things. 




For Any Robot Friends Out There




 Things that go around on Facebook labeled, Like and Share + Copy and Paste:

If, you have a son, daughter, grandchild, pet, you love with all your heart

If, you had a dog, cat or parakeet with an underarm rash

If, you know someone who is a nurse, teacher, doctor or, in the military

If, someone or, something you loved, died and went to heaven

If, you know a cancer victim or, someone with a fever

If, you agree or disagree with some political bullcrap, happening in some part of the world

If, everything should be free and nobody, should have to pay taxes



This Could Go On and On Indefinitely 



Instead, I'll cut it short.  Just remember, it has to be something emotional, tear-jerking.

The subject must be something, that grabs your attention for action.

Not really, a cold-blooded, heartless individual, I'm part human, too.

Should Facebook, ever decide, to let me filter out "Like/Share/Copy/Paste, I'd do it.

The Drivel pisses me off and sometimes, ruins my day.

Any Friends who, would like to Unfriend me because of this rant. Please do !

Just read this article, on your way out the door, concerning why, I consider you ROBOTS.

END OF RANT



Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Flower and Bee GIF - Plus Hydrangea Report #1 for 2017

yellow flower, bee, GIF


At Yohena Garden Today



Up north, went to check the hydrangea (ajisai for Japanese) blossoms.

Things were looking sort of grim. The parking area was empty; our first clue.

When we walked to the booth, where you pay to enter, it was abandoned, too.

Going up the hill, there were a few scraggly-looking flowers, partially blooming.

There's no sense, driving all that way, with cameras and lenses, to come home empty handed.

So, a decision was made, to go all the way to the top of the hill, to visit Mrs. Yohena.

If, my calculations are correct, she'll be 100 years old, this year.

Up at the little cafe, I met her son. He remembers me from years gone by.

Doc Graff and I, chatted with him and found out the real deal. Flowers are late this year.

He says, full bloom for hydrangeas will be around the middle of next month.

The gardens will be crawling with flower fanatics from June 1st until the 15th or 20th.



Bee and Yellow Flower



They seemed like worthwhile subjects so, I flipped the Pentax on to rapid fire.

The name of the blossom, escapes me at the moment but, I'll get it later.

Climbing that hill, gets old dudes tired. I went all the way up, almost.

Some gals from Hong Kong were the only other visitors and, they were taking pictures, too.

Neither Doc nor, I speak Chinese but, some of those girls spoke English.

So, you can probably guess, what I did. Got permission and, shot them, too.

It's a good idea if, you're shy (like me) to just start talking to strangers.

Lots of people get scared, when they see me coming but, I know what to do.

Especially girls, just blow them kisses, wave or say, "Merry Christmas."

That's what I do. And usually if, they don't run away, it's easy to talk to them.

Bees and flowers well, occasionally I get caught, talking to them, too.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Trying to Shake Off One of those Evil Days

Messy desk of someone with writer's block


Writer's Block Is One Thing



Supposedly, it may happen to anyone, involved in the writing business.

Recurring spells are a regular thing, with me mostly because, I hate writing.

No blog was posted yesterday. I did plenty of preparation for today's post and, was worn out.

Pouring rain this morning got my day off, to a crumby start. It would get better, I thought.

On the way to the office, I usually manage to get a few people smiling and it lifts my spirits.

Maybe, I left for work too early. No one was walking in the rain but, me.

On top of the disorganized pile of papers on my desk, I placed a blank paper and a pen.

That would remind me, something had to be done today, bright and early.

The brain wasn't ready for scribbling yet so, I did some calisthenics and weight training.

Then, decided to walk down the street and get a bento for breakfast.



Things Went Downhill



It was raining cats and dogs and a strong wind blew but, that didn't bother me.

A huge umbrella, large enough for three of me, wind resistant and, I was good to go.

It's a few minutes walk so, I lit a smoke to enjoy, along the way.


Messy desk, bento large enough for the entire day


That bento has enough food in it to feed me for an entire day, breakfast through supper.

Besides the rice, there's carrots, potatoes, yakisoba, spicy chicken and pork tonkatsu.

Plus, eggs, sausage and goya champuru and, some tofu. It usually costs around four bucks.

I set it on the counter next to the wrong gal.  I even helped her put the lid on.

Most of the young ladies charge me 400 yen, no matter how much food I took.

Well, the ugly girl, weighed my meal and told me, it would be 450 yen. So, I gave her 500 yen.

She handed me my food, wrapped up in a plastic bag and, thanked me.

Being, I was trying to stay in a good mood, I didn't say anything about the 50 yen I, didn't get.



Maybe, she was just having a lousy, rainy day, too.  No need to make it worse.

But, I hope she slips and falls in a big puddle, on her way home. Hah !


Back in the shop, that blank paper was staring at me so, I set my hot meal on it for a photo.

Of course, I moved it and had some breakfast, while it was piping hot.

Some eggs, yakisoba, spicy chicken, goya and rice, are a good way to start the day.

My brain still wasn't ready for writing. I decided to go outside for a cigarette.

There's a corrugated roof in the alleyway. That's a good place to smoke and stay dry.

The sound of rain, beating on that roof is relaxing. I started to forget about the fat girl.

Back inside the office, I figured the meal was cool enough, to place in the fridge.

Then, decided I'd rather do some more physical stuff than, sit down and start writing.

Remember, when you were a kid and, went to the beach with your family ?

When, you got done eating, parents would tell you, you have to wait an hour, before swimming.

That's a myth, I believe. Look at Jaws. The guy was always in the water, swimming.

He'd eat people and, keep right on swimming. You, don't need to wait one hour !

So, I wasn't going to wait before, going back to my exercises and weightlifting.

It was so invigorating, I bet I spent four hours doing physical training today.

Every time I went and looked at my desk, that stupid blank page was there. I wasn't ready.

It was starting too look like a Butsu-metsu (bad luck) day.

So, this afternoon I rolled out my sleeping bag and, took a nap.



Toy characters, blank paper and pen, messy desk


It was getting late in the afternoon and, I hadn't written one word, yet.

With creativity at an all time low, I remembered these junk toys, I keep in the shop.

They come in plastic bubbles, on top of coffee cans at convenience stores.

They aren't for me. I buy them, in case any kids come by my office.

Maybe, spreading them around on that page, would give me some ideas.


Toy characters, pen, paper


The thought had occurred to me, "That girl's hair, should be black."

There's a can of black spray paint out behind my shop but, nah.

During rainy season, it would take a few hours to dry or, I'd make a mess.

The story, I'm supposed to be doing, is about how Okinawans first came to the islands.

With all the research, I've done, 1,500 words could easily be written. I'm just not ready.



Start Simple with a Rough Draft



Writer's block is something you have to deal with. It's like having some sort of brain cramp.




Rearranging things a little bit, helped me formulate the story, to where it might work.

Of course, when it gets typed, spellcheck and punctuation, will be utilized.

I'll try to get some photos or sketches to give readers a better understanding of my creation. 

Er maybe, just take another week off from writing.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

15 Images of Okinawa Shisa Statues

Red clay Shisa, statues, pair


Sold Throughout the Islands



The Shisa are guardians of homes and businesses located in the Ryukyu Island Chain. 

Properly positioned, the female is placed on the left, male on the right.

She's smiling and welcoming friends. He's growling to keep evil spirits at bay.


smiling and growling shisa statues, female, male


This year, it seems lots of folks, who've lived here are interested in buying the statues.

They are Americans, back in the USA and, forgot to buy them while on island.


Various size and cloro shisa statues, pottery


Traditional statues are usually red clay, which has been molded and baked in an earthen oven.

These days, you can find all sorts of colored and comical ones.


Pair of Shisa on store shelf
Enough requests came my way, I decided to do some Shisa store exploration.

Permission was granted to photograph everywhere, I went.

But, I didn't use a flash or, move things around on the shelves.

Traditional statues, in pairs about, 12 inches tall, seemed to be what most folks wanted.


Shisa statue, tape measure, 12 inch size


Over the course of a few months, I did comparison shopping all over this island.

There must be dozens of Shisa seen by me every day, just walking around.

So, I really wasn't all excited about shooting them in stores and pottery shops.

If, I thought ahead of time, a tape measure was brought along, to show sizes.


Shisa on glass shelves, size 12 Brazilian sandal


Here's what can be done if, you forgot to  bring along the ruler. Size 12 flip-flop.

It must have been one of those days, I didn't want anyone to recognize me. Blue shoes ?

Now, I remember. It was raining that day so, I wore Brazilian sandals.

The yellow shima-zori, didn't have enough tread left on them, to keep from slipping.



Pair of male and female Shisa statues


The displays, aren't always good for checking prices and doing photo compositions.

Up high, I shot this to give an idea, the price is around 300 bucks.


Shisa statue pair, red clay, 3000 yen, 12 inch sandal



This pair was a bit different looking that most of the red clay statues. Goofy, I think.

The price wasn't too bad, considering how tall the characters were. 




Pair of Shisa statues on wooden shelf


Models of this sort could easily be mounted at gates or, upor rooftops.

Come to think of it, they'd make terrific bookends, too !



Shopping Really Isn't a Favorite Hobby of Mine


If it hadn't been for an old drinking buddy of mine, I probably would have quit by now.

Mr. H (we'll call him) and I have known each other for a few decades.

He must have lived on Okinawa for 30 years or more. Business took him to California.

Now, he wants some Shisa. What ?


Black, white and red clay Shisa, pair

Through a few emails I learned, he's looking for something more like this pair.

However, the specifications for size, needed to be 12 inches. How aout 11 ?


Shisa statue pair $130.00

These little statues were only a few inches tall but, some of the least expensive ones, I found.


$240.00 Shisa statues

Taller than 12 inches was this set for $240.00 USD.

The establishment, was one of those places, yellow flip-flops are frowned upon.

So, I refused to take them off for measurement purposes. Hah !



Shisa at Yomitan Pottery Village


In travelling up and down the island of Okinawa, I made a discovery at this place.

The most reasonable prices for Shisa can probably, be found in Yomitan Pottery Village.


Brown colored Shisa


The prices can vary wildly even, when the size to statues may be the same.

It could have something to do, with the artist, who made the creations. I don't know for sure.



Various sizes and prices of Shisa in Nago City


At a location in Nago, you could spend anywhere from a few bucks to over $23.000 for a pair !

From another stateside friend, came this suggestion:

"Type Okinawa Shisa in the Search Box at Ebay."

They have plenty. Or, come visit Okinawa, again and, shop for yourself.  I'm done.