Showing posts with label Celebration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebration. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

GIF: Okinawa Dance at Beiju (米寿) an 88th Birthday in Japan

Grand Event in Okinawa



The 88th birthday celebration takes on a new meaning in Okinawa, Japan.

Friends, family (from Hawaii and Washington state) and, I was even there.

A hall, down in Gushikawa, hosted the event and, Kin Town, provided bus transportation.


Traditional Okinawa dance performance on stage

Normally, you would never catch me in a suit and, wearing shoes.

But, I got all dolled up for this because, it was a formal event, in honor of Mrs. Yamashiro.

She's the sweetheart, who's always smiling and gardening behind my office.

Lots of bugs, butterflies, flowers and vegetables become subjects for my cameras.

She's always trying to give me vegetables, to take home but, I politely refuse.


The Camera Stayed at the Office



The reason, the town provided transportation, is some serious drinking might be required.

And, that's the reason, I didn't take along any expensive camera equipment.

It was an all-you-can-eat-and-drink type of affair. So, that's what I planned on doing.

While relatives and family, did performances on stage, I consumed plenty of refreshments.

Snapping a few hundred images with the iPhone,  they got sent to the cloud.

When I got back to the office Sunday night, an idea struck me. "You're drunk, go home."



Seven Day Work Weeks



Monday, I decided to spend the day at home and, rest the weary bones.

The wife agreed, it might be a good idea and, the dog loved it. We slept a lot.

Apple's iPhone and that iCloud  are some strange characters.

The camera takes, alright photos and they are fairly large, in size but, need work.

Once a GB of storage in the cloud, gets used up, they want you to pay for more.

The rest of the week I'll probably, decide which photos to keep and process.

Then, a Facebook album, may be created, for Mrs. Yamashiro's friends and family, to see.

Standby for more.....

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Some of the Activity at a 97th Birthday Party in Okinawa

4 Motion GIFs of Events at a Kajimaya

 

 

In the Ryukyu Archipeligo a Kajimaya is a big deal.

Today, I got to attend one because one of my neighbors, attained the age of ninety-seven.

We had a little parade in the streets but, I haven't looked at those photos, yet.

For now, we'll just look at what took place at the party indoors.

young dancers,GIF,Okinawan celebration, Kajimaya
The younger generation entertains the crowd with some sort of hilarious dance.

kimonos, classical dance, young ladies

A bit more formal, were these gals, dancing with silver and gold fans.

Hula dancers

Everybody likes watching Hula dancers so, we had some of them, too.

kimono-clad woman,dancing with an umbrella
 Now, I'm not sure if you should call that blue thing a parasol or, umbrella.

But, the gal in the blue kimono sure knows how to dance with it.

After a few hours of celebrating, the birthday girl got tired.

And, she had somebody take her home so, she could go to sleep in her own bed.

And, that's what they did.

Man, I can hardly wait to turn ninety-seven !





Thursday, January 9, 2014

Standby for the Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse

Two Japanese tourists ride horses at seashore

That's Right New Years Is Coming Again Soon

 

 

We just got done celebrating a week of New Years in Okinawa, Japan.

Depending on which calendar you use, Western or, Chinese, there may be more parties to go to.

Not wanting to offend our Chinese neighbors,  I tip a few on their holidays, as well.


The world would be a lot nicer place to live, if everybody would just celebrate.

Dontcha think ?

Last night, I was doing some practice-drinking, to get in shape for the next New Year.

Maybe, I did a little too much. 

Today has been one long, hard day.  And what a headache.

After a couple of hours, I gave-up trying to read Chinese.  I got a bright idea.

Type "Chinese New Year of the Horse 2014" into the Google Search thingy.


But, the Year of the Horse starts on FEB 4,2014.  Go try and figure that out.

It confused me but, at least you can read it in English. 

It's starting to look more and more like another week of celebrations.

So, I better get out of this office and do some more training !








Saturday, October 16, 2010

The Lady of the Year: Photos from An Okinawa Kajimaya

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending an Okinawa Kajimaya. It's a celebration and this one was for a lady I had never met before. And she had one heck of a celebration!


A Wedding Hall was where it took place and there was live entertainment and plenty of food and drinks.  The lady being honored is barely visible in this photo. She's dressed in pink and sitting in the wheelchair in the lower right corner of the picture.


So, I maneuvered into a position where I could get a close up of Nakama Yasu, who to me, is the Lady of the Year. A Kajimaya is a celebration of longevity in Okinawa. If I live to be 97 years old I might have one, too. Then, have a big party where all my friends and family take a group photo.



The word "Kajimaya" means "Pinwheel". In Okinawa they believe, as we age, we become more like children. So, the Lady of the Year got a pinwheel to play with and so did all the children. Guess what?

I GOT A PINWHEEL, TOO.  I don't think any other middle-aged man there got one, but I did !