Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Season Could End Tomorrow

Itoman City 2019 Dragon Boat PDF

History of Itoman Haree Races

Japan Times English Article

Wordless Wednesday: Sailing Sabani Race

Special T-shirt Arrived Overnight

Late Night Message

Saturday night, sometimes finds me in a local watering hole and, it was one of those nights.

DING: A message came through on the iPhone, saying my T-shirt was delivered.

It was placed in the mailbox at the office. It would wait until morning.

It's a good thing the crime rate is low in this part of the world. Nobody, swiped my shirt.

Last month, I traveled to Zamami-jima for my fifth consecutive year to photograph this event.

The Maririn Cup, is a local race in the Kerama Islands.

The big event, is the Sir Peter Blake Memorial Cup Race, from Zamami to Okinawa Island.

A passing typhoon made this the longest of the sailing sabani races, I've ever witnessed.

Only three boats finished, within the six hour time limit. The rest struggled to get home.

Normally, there's a big celebration at the finish, with bands and free beer.

We dragged our exhausted, sunburned bodies to the closing ceremony and got a beer.

Suddenly, rain busted out and closed out the closing ceremonies. After, only one free beer !

Everybody ran for shelter and the bands, dancers and beer kegs, went home.

We were told, the T-shirts would get to us at a later date. It's a pretty busy shirt.

Sir Peter Blake

If, you were a Kiwi (New Zealander) and, didn't know this man, they'd lock you up.

He's the most famous yachting sailor, who ever went out to sea.

Broke every ocean sailing record in the world including sailing around the world.

Peter Blake was the only one, to take the America's Cup from the Americas. Twice !

After 2000 America's Cup win, he retired from yacht racing and, became an environmentalist.

On an expedition to the Amazon in Brazil, he was killed by pirates.

Going after the robbers with a gun, Blake was shot twice and died instantly.

MORE AT SIR PETER'S HISTORY

Canoe to Divorce Rock

Nobody Was Home

The weather wizards were wrong. It turned out to be a nice sunny day.

A guy showed up at my office with a canoe on the roof of an air-conditioned truck.

We'll just call him C.D. because, that's easier than spelling Canoe Dude. OK ?

Off to Genka, a district of Nago, Okinawa we went, to checkout the legendary Divorce Rock.

With a 50% chance of rain, the plan was, find a place where a boat could be launched.

Tricky Logistics

There aren't many places along HWY 58, where parking or, boat launches are available.

We drove around the village, looking for spots along the river, leading to the sea.

Most of the waterway is fenced-off probably, to keep little kids from falling in and drowning.

Talking to a local guy it was determined, the best access would be, out on the highway.

By the time, we got everything figured out, the sun was shining brightly.

So, we decided to make a big splash and, row out to sea.

Had the weather been different, I would have gladly, tried this trip, some other day.

Ideally, a visit to this rock would be best, during low tide so, we could see the sandy beach.

We paddled the canoe at a leisurely pace. I never knew canoes could go out in the ocean.

And, I had a hangover from too many beers, they gave me last night.

So, I was paddling at a more leisurely pace than, C.D, the guy behind me, in the boat.

There's no telling, what astronauts talk about out on an exploration but, I know what we did.

We were saying stuff like, "What if, we find some skeletons?"

"We should have brought along a flag, to plant on the rock, like the guys who went to the moon."

"Maybe, there are gold and silver wedding bands and engagement rings, people left there."

Canoes don't come equipped with radios so, we had to entertain ourselves.

We got there in about half an hour.  Astronauts probably, bring along some music.

Anyhow, there we were, banging into to rock with our 17 foot fiberglass canoe.

Soon, I learned to use my paddle, to keep the boat from crashing into the rocks.

That C.D. is an adventurous guy. He put on some goggles and dove into the water.

He'd pop up every once in awhile, to tell me about all the fishes he saw down there.

Then, he went swimming and diving all around the crazy rocks. And, I waited.

After a while I was thinking, "Goddamnit, what if, a shark come along?"

I got my paddle ready to swat big fish and, started humming the tune from the movie, Jaws.

I don't kill fish for fun but, I'd be pretty angry if, I had to paddle that boat by myself.

So, if one ate C.D. I'd probably spank it real bad !

All of a Sudden

Looking around, I find C.D. up on the rocks. The rascal climbed over from the other side.

Me, I never touched the rock at all. I've had some experience with divorces.

One thing I never learned is, which costs more getting into or, out of one.

Probably, a smarter person, would keep track of those expenses.

Well, I quit humming the Jaws tune.  We got the canoe turned around and headed home.

The return trip took about half an hour of some more serious paddling.

Wind and currents in the water, sort of kept trying to force the boat off course.

We discussed things like, it would have been smart, to carry an ice chest and cold drinks.

The sun, got fairly hot and, we were turning red before the shoreline came to meet us.

What a tourist attraction, that rock could become. Just imagine.

A few paddle boats, advertise Divorce Rock and, sell trinkets to tourists.

We could make a fortune, selling divorce donuts and, phony certificates to people.

People who actually get divorces, could stash their wedding rings out there.

Divorce cakes and cookies, candies, hot dogs with sauerkraut. We'd become millionaires !

Time for some beer replacement therapy.  I'm outta here.

You may also like:  Legend of  Divorce Rock

In the Shower - Pentax K1 After 3 Days at Sea

Not an Everyday Event

This is the camera, I used last weekend for shooting the annual sailing sabani races.

We were out at sea on doing island things Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Plenty of sea, sand and salt spray, were experienced along the way.

Once in awhile, salty spray from the ocean waves, would hit my lens and, I had to think quickly.

Rain water, wouldn't be much of a problem because, this camera is weatherproof.

A lens tissue, could wipe fresh rain water off the lens and, I could keep on shooting.

A tropical storm had formed and, our sabani team took a bit longer than, expected to hit Naha.

What normally, would be a 4-6 sea voyage, lasted about 10 hours, for me, aboard a fishing boat.

Whenever the lens got splashed with seawater, I had to rinse it off somehow.

The team, paddling in rough seas, needed water, more than my camera for survival.

So, I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a bottle of ocha, I kept for drinking.

Splash a few swigs of that on the lens and, I'd let it run off then, use a lens tissue.

Once, we safely arrived at a Capsule Hotel in Naha, the camera and I got quick showers.

It would be Monday before, I got back to the office and unpacked my bags.

Then, I placed the Pentax on a tripod and, gave it a good 15 minute hosing.

The photo was taken with my iPhone. You weren't expecting to see me in it, I hope !

NOTE: Don't Attempt This With Any Camera Except Pentax

Ocean Image: A Sailing Sabani

Tomorrow Is Ocean Day in Japan

Last weekend, I was out in the Kerama Islands with this sabani team.

This is one of my favorite, out of the thousand or so, photos taken along the way.

Ocean Day (海の日) Umi no Hi is a national holiday and many families will go to the beach.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, everyone will have fun and return from the sea safely.

Camera:  Pentax K1

Lens:  Pentax 18-250 at 60 MM

Exposure:  f/6.7   1/5000   ISO 800

Location:  Kerama Islands Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JUL 2 2017  9:48 AM

Island Image: Start of the 2017 Sailing Sabani Race

Furuzamami Beach

Last Sunday was my 5th time traveling to Zamami Island for these races, as a photographer.

It's sort of a working vacation, for me and I stay fairly busy but, always have fun.

The folks who paddle and sail these old wooden boats, are a great bunch of people.

Before any sailing event, they hold a beach cleanup. Everyone participates even, children.

They have great respect for nature and, the ocean. 

This race is one of the biggest affairs of the year. Look at the sea and skies. They were awesome.

For a minute, I thought this was going to be a fantastic day for sailing the 37km race to Naha.

Normally, sabani boats cross the finish line in about 4 hours. That's when the wind is right.

From what I heard at the finish this year, only 3 boats finished in the 6 hour time limit.

About 10 hours, I was bouncing around on an escort boat, taking photos.

A typhoon, headed towards the mainland, pulled some tricks on the sabani boats this year.

The wind and waves, were pushing the ocean from east to west.

Our objective was to race from west to east. So, it took a lot longer, to get there.

Everyone survived and, we made sure plenty of liquid refreshments were consumed.

No sense in getting all dehydrated, when they have huge quantities of beverages available.

Those of us, who didn't have to work Monday, just spent the night in Naha.

We kept nourishing our dry throats, until the wee hours of the morning.

It was Monday, at home when I first noticed, my body was as red as a lobster.

All of a sudden, today big chunks of my hide, flap in the breeze and, are falling of  me.

Nobody wants to see a picture of that. Do you ?

For now, I'll just give the photography specs used in this travel image.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 15 MM

Exposure: f/11   1/1000   ISO 400

Location: Furuzamami Beach Zamami-jima Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JUL 2 2017  8:42 AM

Travel Transportation Shot: Queen Zamami

Visiting Outer Islands

Just a quick post before the laptop gets thrown in my backpack.

The cameras and lenses are packed away for a three day excursion, off this island.

Weather permitting, it will  be a blast and, I'll return with 100's of seagoing images.

For sure, all the sailing sabani crews, are praying for calm seas and blue skies.

WiFi service may be a little tricky, at times so, I may not be able to post every day.

This will be by 5th year in a row, taking photos of the sabani races.

Previous Sailing Sabani Race photos may be seen by typing "Zamami" in the search block above.

If, for some reason, the seas and wind, don't cooperate, I'll try something different.

Maybe, take some photos of museums and nightlife, for a change !

Photo Location: Tomari Port Naha, Okinawa, Japan

Travel Photo: At a Noro House in Itoman

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:

2012 Itoman Dragonboat Races

Tip Your Boat Over During the Race

GIF Animations from Itoman City

At the House of a Priestess in Itoman Okinawa

Japan Times Article About Okinawa's Dragonboat Races

Wordless Wednesday: Old Time Sabani Construction

5 More GIF Images from the 2016 Zamami to Naha Sabani Race

Four Hours from the Start

 

 

Remember, this boat capsized about half an hour into the race.

They, up-righted the sabani, bailed it out, replaced the sail and, kept on paddling.

Through thunderstorms, strong winds and, heavy rain, they moved right along.

At times, it looked as if, the sea would swallow the whole boat.

Once, they passed a buoy, near Tomari Port, Naha, the race was done.

From there, the escort boat, towed the sabani, to park at a beach overnight.

The girls from the sabani team, ride the safety boat, while the guys, get towed.

It's important, to drink lots of water, when doing this kind of event.

But, when they offered me some, I politely refused, to take any.

 After five hours, bouncing around at sea, I was pretty thirsty.

But, I didn't want to pop a kidney, in front of those girls and, I had to pee.

The first thing, they did after hitting the shore, was go running off to find a toilet.

The coast was clear of all women so, I went and pissed like a boss, in the ocean !

Sesoko Beach Images Taken at 420mm -- Animated GIFs

Waiting for Birds of Prey

 

 

These are some scenes created while standing on Sesoko Island, near the bridge.

With a big lens, that won't zoom or, retract some imagination had to be used.

The Pentax K3 and 300mm lens + a 1.4 rear converter, gave a focal length of 420mm.

 It was warm but, a bit windy so some action of the waves, splashing was photographed.

 Young girls jumping for camera selfies, entertained me, for awhile.

It's important, to know the light conditions in the sea and sky, when I'm out shooting.

If a fish hawk came along and dove out of the sky, into the water, I would have to be ready.

 This gal wasn't as active as the others but, was posed in great light.

And the wind action, made it an interesting scene.

 Most beaches have these jetskies, pulling what's called a banana boat.

In the past, they were always colored yellow.

 Nowadays, I guess, they have to give the green bananas equal opportunity !

The banana boat ride, returned without the passengers.

My guess: They used it as a taxi to go to some rock outcropping and, would return later.

 It was unbelievably warm for the month of October so, I moved into the shade by the bridge.

Looking back towards Motobu, a boat named Gusuku, came into the harbor.

This scene shows was photographed, just before it passed under the Sesoko Island bridge.

Even though, no fish hawks made an apperance, I had my fill of fun in the sun.

And, a local fisherman, told me we wouldn't have to worry about any typhoon.

So, I was assured that more great weather would be coming for the weekend.

Now, you have an idea what some of the activities are available at this beach.

And, you can see how I keep myself occupied, while waiting for birds.

A man has to do something, to keep his eyes away from all the gals in bikinis !

Cultural Event: Abushibare (畦払い) Getting Fields Rid of Vermin

Send the Varmints Out to Sea

 

 

It was a few years in the making but, I finally attended an Abushibare, today.

The animated GIF above was the grand finale, you could say.

The toy boats are loaded with some snails that eat local crops.

Bon Voyage, little suckers !

Rituals started at this red shrine called a Kamiya or House of Spirits.

It is a special building located near the Igei community center.

Years ago, a woman priestess (Noro) led the prayers at all community events.

And, the house of the Noro is right next door to this building.

There is no longer a Noro in the village so, staff from the district office do the praying.

The District Chief, you could call him, leads in making offerings and prayers.

There are other people in this room praying but, I stayed outside the front door.

Having permission to photograph is one thing, being disruptive is another.

This is the kind of place, I don't want to be an annoyance at.

The white building is the house of the Noro.

Inside, at another altar similar prayers and offerings take place, led by a district official.

Once ceremonies at the shrine and Noro's house are complete, everyone goes to the ocean.

Look closely and, you can see men carrying small boats.

The tray contains a plate of uncooked rice.

There is an incense stick burning and a cup of awamori (sake) next to the rice.

The toy boats are loaded with Tanishi (mud snails) that eat our rice plants.

The senior village official leads prayers one last time.

And, everybody in attendance wishes for a good harvest of crops.

Things moved along fairly quickly here.

Whether he drank the alcohol or, gave some to the snails, I don't know.

They grabbed the boats and sent them off to see the world.

Revival of an Old Ritual

 

 

 

 

Abushibare hadn't been performed in Kin for many years, maybe centuries.

The custom was revived in 2011 due to destruction of crops by the pesky snails.

Abushi, translates as, the ridges of rice paddies.

The clearing and cutting of weeds, on these ridges was believed to ward off pests and plagues.

In Igei district of Kin, the pests were snails so, they were sent out to sea.

Other villages have mice problems. They get sent away on boats, too.

For arranging my visit to this event and, help with translation, I owe special thanks to:

 Kin Town Office, Koji Tamamoto

Kin Town Board of Education: Yoko Nakama 

Visit YouTube to view a video of this event:

10 More GIFs from the 2015 Kin Bay Sailing Sabani Race

There were a couple of  firsts, I witnessed at the sabani races, yesterday.

Seeing sabani boats capsize isn't anything new.

Once they got it up-righted, one guy started bailing water out with his hat !

This boat with twin sails also, had an outrigger.

So, it would take some fairly rough seas to tip this one over.

The yellow archway, in the background of this photo was the entrance to a festival.

That meant, after getting done with  boat races, I'd be going to the Ginoza Matsuri.

The skies went from blue to grey and, back again, throughout the event.

Even though we were in Kin Bay, the boats were rocking and rolling.

Everybody is required to wear life jackets.

Even the dog, in the back of that second sabani boat, is equipped with one.

There was a little guy on Spring vacation from grade school, in this boat.

He'll have some stories to tell his friends when he goes back to school.

We were sailing around and things seemed a bit monotonous for a minute or two.

All of a sudden, all hell broke loose, because a boat capsized.

My boat driver was on a serious mission.

He gunned the engine and almost threw everyone on his boat, over the side-rails.

Well, these sabani people, ain't exactly rookies so, I wasn't worried.

Sometimes, they dump the boats over, just for practice.

They had the boat turned back up and bailed out, in just a few minutes.

Everything turned out alright and, my two biggest fears, never happened.

#1.  I didn't want to see anybody, we were supposed to rescue, whacked in the head with a propeller.

#2. They didn't run out of hamburgers at the festival before I arrived.

Culture Photo: Lunar New Year Visit to a Shrine

Sabani Boat Teams at Hakugindo Shrine

 

 

Those gathered at the shrine have just sailed and rowed their sabani boats through Itoman Port.

They are addressed by the Mayor and other officials before entering the shrine.

Once inside, they make offerings and pray for safety and success.

This custom is performed in Itoman City, Okinawa at the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Related Post -- 15 Photos: 2014 Itoman Sabani Parade

Travel Photo: The Sailing Sabani Boats in Itoman

Camera: Pentax K3 on a tripod.

Lens: Pentax DA-300mm

Exposure: f/5.6  1/800   ISO 100

Date and Time: Nov 2, 2014  9:57AM

Itoman Sailing Sabani Race 2014 Colorful GIF

The better part of a sunny Sunday was spent at this event.

This motion GIF is just a tiny sample of what was photographed at the sabani races.

Thousands of images are being downloaded and will be processed at a later date. 

The winning team has a photo from a previous race featured on my homepage.

5 More Photos from the 2014 Zamami-jima Sailing Sabani Race

Catching up on the processing of photos from this race may take awhile.

This boat, with the yellow sails caught my attention, the night before the race.

 A sabani with an outrigger, I had seen before.

But, it was the first time, I had ever seen one with two sails.

They seem to move a lot faster than a single-sail sabani boat.

But, I bet, it takes twice as long to learn how to sail them.