Day After Halloween - Sorry No Ghosts

A Juicy Ghost Story in the Making

Research continues on Okinawan Folklore with some ghosts.

Last month, we tried our best to get you a goosebumpy local legend and photos to go with it.

Things don't always turn out the way I want them to so, something else creepy will have to do.

Before sunup this morning I walked along the east coast, looked towards the west, and saw this.

The full moon was going down behind some vegetation lining a hillside behind me.

It's not really creepy, to me but, it could give someone the shivers.

It was going on 8 AM when this gnarly character stuck his big foot on top of the water.

If that big paw and red-eye don't give ya the creeps, you'll just have to wait.

Maybe, before next Halloween, we'll have a real ghost story to share with you.

For those interested in birds, this one's nomenclature would be: Eurasian Coot.

 Scientific Name: Fulica atra

Digging Up Some Old Ghost for Halloween

Many People Believe in Ghosts

 

Well, I don't. But it's nice to hear, the kind of story that, gives you goosebumps.

Always on the lookout for a good one from Okinawa, I haven't had much luck lately.

Instead, I dug up some old, spooky images and, will explain the stories behind them.

The ghost in this photo is just some smoke, which was blowing across the street.

The photo was taken at a cherry blossom festival, under the Kin Bridge.

Smoke from dump trucks and festival food, charcoal grills made the spook appear.

It blew across the highway as I was shooting a Panasonic DMC-FZ50.

Normally, I would delete a photo like this because of the distraction in the image.

But, I saved it and did a bit of cleaning-up, to give it a more ghastly appearance.

No grave-sites were disturbed in obtaining these creepy hands.

This photo was taken with the Pentax K5, at the Nago Museum.

They are not, human hands. I must go back someday and, get the proper terminology.

Those bones came from either a porpoise or dolphin.

And, I used these two photos in, "Today I Went Down Some Spooky, Old Stairs." 

Happy Halloween!

Okinawan Folktale: Pampas Grass and the San

Fisherman Makes a Large Haul

 

 

On an island to the north of Okinawa a fisherman danced with joy.

He had made an unusually large catch and decided to celebrate into the evening.

After the sun went down, he built a fire and cooked a huge pile of shells and fish.

Ghosts Arrived for Dinner

 

 

Several of them, showed up and began eating the fisherman's dinner.

Frightened, he kept his distance and watched them eat.

   

No matter how much they consumed, the pile of food remained the same size.

The fisherman, would approach the meal, only after the spirits were gone.

The routine continued for several days and nights.

Great amounts of fish were caught every day and, every night, after dark, ghosts came.

Pampas Grass

 

 

 

One day, before sundown and cooking the meal, the fisherman cut some pampas grass.

After the meal was prepared, he placed a san on the plate of food.

The san, is made by tying pampas grass in a loop.

Then, he invited the ghosts, to come and try some of this special meal.

They showed up promptly after dark and gathered around, looking at the feast.

The san, frightened them and, they all flew away.

Since then, an Okinawan serving a meal after dark, will place a san on the dinner.

And, a san is placed at the corners of property, to ward off evil spirits.

From an article on the flowers of Hanafuda, concerning pampas grass:

"In Okinawa, the leaves are knotted as talismans against evil."

REFERENCES:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.46

Condensed from: The Story of the San

Okinawan-English Workbook ISBN 978-0-8248-3102-8

MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE

Today I went Down Some Spooky, Old Stairs: Photo Essay

Originally Published OCT 2011

 

 

 

Reviving this popular post may be a good idea.

It happens, the Map It Okinawa dude and, I are going on a ghost hunt tonight.

Enjoy this old Halloween tale just in case we don't make it back before sunrise !

In order to get in the good old Halloween spirit I have come back and edited this post.

Halloween doesn't really have the meaning, over in my part of the world, that it does for most western cultures.  In fact, if it hadn't been for a great friend on StumbleUpon (LINDARAMA)  sending me mail when she read this, I wouldn't have known Halloween was just around the corner.

On the outer islands of Okinawa, Japan there are many old caves and sacred wells.

Some of them are pretty cool and they make great subjects for photography.

It's best to make sure you don't disturb anything when you go to them.

There are a few places where the stairs are so old they are crumbling.

Wherever I go, I try to get the best possible photos without disturbing anything.

That plastic ladle just didn't seem right next to those old coins I wanted to shoot.

So, I moved it out of the scene for a few seconds.

Then, put it back exactly where I found it.

People in Okinawa believe there are spirits in these old caves and wells.  Many of them come to worship and make offerings at the sites.  So,  I like to make sure nothing has been changed by my presence.  You should do the same, anywhere you go.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS MIGHT COME OUT OF A CAVE OR SOME OTHER DARK PLACE AND GRAB YOU.  DO YOU ?

The culture of Okinawa consists of a strong belief in spirits.  So strong, that something like Halloween is really unnecessary.  Spirits are felt and communicated with on a daily basis.

While I may have been raised as a Christian in my early years, I have also studied some Confucianism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Animism and even a bit of alcoholism.  We happen to have a little bit of all those here, along with a strong belief in ancestor worship.  There are gods of the sea, mountains, rocks, wind, trees, earth, fire and all of nature (called kami sama) you'd rather see smiling than frowning upon you.  That's in addition to any departed members of the family tree.

So, on any given day you may see me raise my eyes towards the sky and and talk to "Kachan" (departed mother-in-law) and thank her spirit for my good fortune.

Or, I might say something like, "What are you trying to do to me?"

Whenever I find myself going to some sacred site in Okinawa, Japan like those spooky old stairs, it's not the ghosts or goblins of Halloween I'm thinking of; it's the spirits of someone else's ancestors I have to worry about.  Some people had mean old mother-in-laws, you know.

I wouldn't want to cross paths with their spirits.

There's really no such thing as ghosts.

OR IS THERE ?

WHEREVER YOU ARE, HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

To get yourself in the Halloween spirit, or add your goulish story to an already excellent collection, visit my good friend in Australia, LINDA HEAPHY, she'll get the hair standing up on the back of your neck !

Sharing this post with Budget Travelers Sandbox will be my contribution to the world of travel photographers for TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY

MORE ON THE RYUKYU ISLAND OF KUDAKA JIMA

Travel Photo: Shioya Bridge in Ogimi Okinawa

Could There Be Ghosts Living Nearby ?

 

 

Ever since, researching for this photo, I ain't sure I'll be camping under this bridge, again.

It used to be one of my favorite hangouts, on hot summer evenings.

But a friend of mine, named Okinawa Soba, got me thinking.

He tells the story of Shah Bay Resort over on Flickr.

It seems, Shioya Bay, used to be called Shah Bay.

And, the resort, abandoned, around 1995, has become something else.

It sounds like a goldmine, for ghost hunters and photographers.

Heck with the bridge, I'll camp out at the Ghost Resort, next time, I'm up that way !

CAUTION: Read This Before You Go

No Ghosts Captured Yet So Here's a Skeleton

RIP

Happy Halloween Wherever You Are !

 

 

 

It would have been nice, to have captured a big, fat, juicy ghost story for you.

The rascals, wherever they are, just didn't cooperate.

My ghost story, has to have photos, to go along with it. So, the hunt goes on.

And, it has to make the hair stand-up on the back of your neck.

Or, at least have you rolling on the floor, laughing.

Simple requirements.  Be credible or, incredible but, make sure it's verifiable.

It Probably Helps to Believe in Them

 

 

That's my biggest downfall.  I don't.

Give me someone with a ghost tale they have experienced and, I love it.

By looking at their eyes and facial expression, you can tell.

They believe it.  They might be drunk, lying, or the village idiot.

If the story is believable and, I can get some photos to go along with it, I'll do it.

Some Interesting Spooky Stuff

 

Over the past month, plenty of time has been dedicated researching this stuff.

From locals and foreign sources, I have gathered:

• A baby ghost cries and is seen in the home of a childless couple.
• No paranormal equipment is required in hunting ghosts.
• Most,  ghastly sightings or occurrences, happen late at night. Groan; drinking hours.
• Some people get telephone calls from the deceased. I want to see their phone bill.
• If you see a ghost, don't go straight home or, it will follow you. I never go straight home !
• Taxi drivers, have ghosts hop in their cabs.  They are hard to find. They quit.
• Some people have met friendly ghosts.  I want to meet one but, want some scary ones, too.
• Ghost stories are usually associated with unnatural deaths.
• Some ghosts bum, cigarettes and lights.  That's probably not good for their health !
• Other ghosts, just make noise or, move things around. You never get to see them.
  
  

 

 My Apologies for Not Catching a Halloween Ghost

 

 

Seven days a week, I'm out there, keeping myself gainfully unemployed.

The spook hunting has cut my drinking time, exactly in half !

But, I won't give up; I'm having too much fun.

The thought did occur me, though.

Maybe, I should open up another bar.  One with a ghostly theme.

Have people come in a relate their spooky stories.

Would you like to be a Ghost Speaker ?

 



 

Ghost Hunting in Okinawa is Exhausting Work

It All Started the Last Week of September

 

Walking to the office one morning, I noticed Halloween decorations in a shop window.

That reminded me, it's time to start looking around for some good ghost stories.

Not the kind of stuff that's been written down already.  I want something original.

In the Ryukyu islands, they really don't have an occasion called Halloween.

Ghosts and their stories, pop-up all the time.

Catching one with a camera, though, that's a different story.

We're working on it.

Where the Flip-flops Meet the Road

 

Research, so far, has taught me a few things:

1. People believe in ghosts or, they don't.

2. Some folks like to talk about them, others don't.

3. A good ghost story will give you goose bumps (chicken skin, if you prefer).

 4. When the weather is hot, ghost stories have a cooling effect on your body.

 5. It's best to conduct this type of study at night.

6. In a dimly lit bar, you get more information than you would in a shopping mall or, church.

7. People with the best stories may not talk to strangers.

8. Giving a gift, of some sort, often gets its rewards.

9. Candy is dandy but, liquor is quicker.

10. Don't hunt for ghosts close to home.  One might follow you.

Be Careful !

My paranormal meter senses something, behind you.

BOO !

RELATED POST: Today I Went Down Some Old Spooky Stairs

Travel Photo: Itoman Port -- The Ghosts Are Coming Soon !

A Beautiful Sunny Day in Okinawa

 

It seems like forever since we last had a sunny day like today.

So, our travels brought us, way down south, to the city of Itoman.

Doing a bit of research for an upcoming event, I shot this photo.

Next month, is when the dragonboat races take place, below, in that pretty blue water.

In Itoman, they call the races "Hare."  Anywhere else, it's "Harii."

Lots of things are done differently, down that way.  That's why I love the place.

Looking around the internet, to find links (English) can be challenging.

It's nice when you can share the information in advance so, other people can make plans.

For example, I was planning on making my trip a two day event.

It's always a good idea to mix with the locals the night before and maybe, tip a few drinks.

That way, yer not a stranger the next day and, if ya ain't in jail, have a lot more fun.

The Research Goes On and On

 

 

The Hare, takes place, this year on June 12th.

Some of the history and culture about the event may be found HERE.

My most recent discovery was, nobody in Itoman goes fishing the day after the races.

It's not because they might be hungover, either.

It is because, of the spirits of anyone who died at sea.

The ghosts, of those poor souls, have their own boat races, the day after Itoman's Hare.

Now, I'm thinking, this may be a three day trip for me. I wouldn't want to miss the ghost races !

Read about it in The Japan Times

Halloween Sneaks Up on People--But Not This Year

Here's What Happened Last Year

 

 Almost totally clueless to the fact that Halloween 2011 was just around the corner,

this set of bones was posted to make a point and, enhance a spooky story.

No Need to Fret Over Those Bones

 

They ain't from human hands.  That photo is whale bones from the Nago City Museum.

Whale hunting hasn't happened in Okinawa, Japan for decades.

Funny, how whale bones look like human hands, though.  Ain't it?

Along Came this Gal with a Magazine from Australia

 

She saw my Today I went Down Some Spooky, Old Stairs: Photo Essay 

And, asked if I'd let her use it for a Halloween story on her publication.

So, I tweaked it a little, to make it halloweenish and off it went.

For a holiday that sneaked up me, the story didn't do too shabby.

On this blog, it has way over 16,000 pageviews !

I still think, people who believe in ghosts, are some kind of nuts.

 Spirits are the things you have to watch out for.

Halloween is Just around the Corner

 

There's a small typhoon, in the area, dousing us with rain, today but, no strong winds.

Maybe I'll call the Map It Okinawa Dude and see if he has any Halloween spirit.

We could go to one of the big chain stores and shoot some decorations for you.

Up north, I think it was, I saw a Halloween witch. I can't remember.

Map It Dude will remember.

Anything's better than sitting at home on a rainy day. 

Maybe, 'cuz there's a little witch, in my house !   Shhh.....

Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo

How Do You Prefer Your Ghosts, Visible or Invisible ? (Images)

Here you see them.

Now, you don't.

How do you prefer your ghosts, visible or invisible ?

These photos were taken at UNESCO Shuri-jo Castle SEP 2011.

Usually, I delete the images with ghosts in them, but this year saved a few for Halloween.

They may also come in handy for future Photography Tips.  We'll see.

RELATED POSTS:

SHURI CASTLE DAY AND NIGHT

UNESCO Shuri Castle at Night: Ten More Photos


VISIT MY HOMEPAGE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

Tree Lovers: Ever Run Across a Lantern Tree ? (Photos)

Here's a photo of a humongous tree I discovered in Ogimi Okinawa, Japan.

To make research easy I took a shot of the sign that told me the scientific name.

Hernandia nymphaeaefolia Kubitzki would take me a long time to write. So, I didn't.

I figured I'd get a photo of the leaves.

Snapped a picture of the sign showing the leaves and the whole story about this tree.

 Then, I stepped back to give an idea of how big the tree is in comparison to the sign.

Here's a view, closer up, of a branch, more leaves and some flowers.

There are some rough-looking spots on the bark of this tree, too.

These leaves are the last shot I took so, that's what I'm leaving you with for photos.

The little lady read the Japanese on the sign and got all freaked out.

That's because I didn't tell her I took these photos in what you might call a cemetery.  Hah!

What does she think I'm doing when I go out with my camera, chasing women?

It seems like years ago they used these Lantern Trees for some kind of funeral purposes.

But, they have also been used for medicine, making shoes, fishing poles, furniture, canoe building,  necklace making, and firewood.

The poor trees are even listed as a Threatened Species.

If you ever run across a lantern tree be careful.

There might be ghosts around them according to my missus.  Wooooooooo!

Read more about these Lantern Trees HERE and HERE

Lions, Ghosts and Photoshop

Here's a photo of the Stone Lion in Tomori Okinawa, Japan. Around this time last year my shooting sidekick, Doc, and I were working together on an article for Apogee Photo Magazine.

In order to put the story together, the way we wanted, a few things had to be done differently than any story we had ever done in the past. I don't like going to jail and Doc is a man of character.  So, I figured I'd better do everything sort of legally, this time around.

There was a snag we hit trying to get the US Library of Congress to let us publish a photo of theirs along with the article.

I heard somewhere, if you work for a living and irritate the US Congress you can get into big trouble.

They can make you pay more taxes and pay for other people's insurance policies, as well. Hah !

So, one of the tricks we used to keep things legal was had some SKETCHES made to simulate the original photo of the Tomori Stone Lion with Army guys hanging around while bullets were chipping away at it during the war.

Doc did all the keyboard banging and we sent the photos and sample sketches in to Apogee Photo.

Then, the editor at Apogee came up with an even better idea. Throw some GHOSTS in the photo with Photoshop and make it look exactly like it did 65 years ago. Yeah, baby. Let's do it.  Hah !

Now, I ain't sayin I believe in ghosts or anything like that but this image makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

I bet if I took you to see the Stone Lion in Tomori and handed you a copy of this photo, you'd be real careful walking over there to pet the lion because you might trip over a GHOST !

If you want to know more about the story and see a picture of me actually working check out THE TOMORI LION. If you like what you see over there hit it with a ThumbsUp for me.

Now, I'm not a big fan of Photoshop. I always tell people to learn how to shoot a camera right and you'll never need to Photoshop your pictures. If you want to be a digital artist that's cool.  Just buy Photoshop and all the trimmings and you won't have to waste all your money on camera stuff.

This was one of those rare exceptions because I can't think of any other way to get ghosts to sit next to a lion and pose for a photo without using Photoshop. Can you?

SEE THE PHOTO OF THE DAY HERE

Portrait of a Shisa

This is one of my favorite spur of the moment shots taken of a Shisa (Lion-Dog).

More of my shots of these Lion-Dogs protecting homes, businesses, buildings and bridges all over my island have been published online. They were researched by folks a lot smarter than me so, their stories are probably as close to the truth as one can get.

Take a peek if you have time and don't let the ghosts scare you. They were Photoshopped-in!


APOGEE PHOTO MAGAZINE and SHISA'S in TEXAS