Statue of Seiho Matsuoka in Kin Town

A Historical Figure

 

 

This statue, I've photographed many times but, never did the research until today.

A brochure, tells me, he was a Chief Executive in the Ryukyu Government from 1964-1968.

That was before the USA let Okinawa, revert to Japanese control.

Digging a little bit into history, is always a good idea so, that's what, I did.

And, came up with some interesting facts about this gentleman.

He had been employed on a sugar plantation in Hawaii.

His name before, he changed it to Matsuoka, was Seiho Ginoza.

He graduated from the University of Chicago as an engineer.

In Okinawa, during the war, he was captured by the Americans and held as a prisoner.

Another Okinawan, who was in US Military Intelligence, recognized him.

Tom Ige, had relatives in Kin and knew Seiho from the days he worked on the plantation.

In fact, Tom's father was the owner of the Hawaiian sugar company. 

Besides serving as a Chief Executive in the Ryukyu Government he, did even more.

Seiho Matsuoka became the owner of the, one and only, Okinawan Electric Company.

References:

Okinawa Prefecture Archives

Experiences During the Okinawa Campaign by Tom Ige

Seen in One of Those City Shopping Centers

Not a Shopping Type Person

 

 

Yesterday was one of those Do Things for the Government Days.

My immigration card was ready to expire so, we had to go to a big city and renew it.

The wife convinced a daughter, we needed a ride or, Daddy might get deported.

So, off we went and got all my paperwork done and a brand new immigration card.

It took about ten minutes and, everybody was really nice.

Wishing all the officials a Merry Christmas, I left the place, knowing what would happen next.

The women, having saved me from the wrath of the government, needed to go shopping.

That's what they do.  Always.  Especially to relieve stress.

We went shopping. It made me think about starting to smoke cigarettes, again.

That's what I used to do, to keep from going into the store with shopping women.

But, I quit smoking about 6 months ago.  So, I went into the store; it's air-conditioned.

This t-shirt, I spotted made the trip all worthwhile.

They didn't have one in my size. 

While nobody was looking, I snapped a cell-phone shot of it.

Now, I'm wondering.

How many people are running around, wearing something like this ?

We should probably go to town more often and, bring the big cameras.

Passing Through a Protest in Okinawa: Motion GIFs

Saturday Picnic Atmosphere

 

 

Most foreigners would probably have enough sense to avoid these rallies.

And, that's not such a bad idea. 

Okinawan protestors, aren't criminals, though and, are usually peaceful demonstrators.

The highway we were taking north, yesterday had some folks out protesting.

Rather than, take a detour and, miss out on the excitement, we drove through it.

With the whole back seat to myself, I got a chance to shoot through the windows of my choice.

Traffic,  slowed down somewhat but, the delay wasn't too long.

Too bad, we were on a different assignment and, couldn't spend the day here.

It's fun, taking pictures of all the people wearing different colors.

Getting along with these folks, is no problem, for me.

They may have all kinds of issues to protest about but, I don't take sides.

Taking photos, is what I do and, if somebody seems a little grumpy, I handle it.

Just say stuff like, "Aloha or, Merry Christmas."

Then, they know, you aren't some government worker and, you are OK.

A Political Columnist

This morning, there was an article in the Japan Times, about this event.

Somebody named, Jon Mitchell saw things, much differently than, me.

If you are into that sort of stuff, read it.

He says, there were over 3,500 protestors and all kinds of stuff, I didn't see.

Like, over 100 boats, Tokyo sent to scare protestors away from the ocean.  Hah !

It makes me wonder.  Was he really there ?

Kijimuna with a Bug on His Throat Reminded Me

One of those almost productive days happened, today at the office.

Don't ask why but, I decided to clean this place, really good.

The trash, I've been accumulating, got trashed.

Floors were swept thoroughly by moving all the furniture around.

I grabbed a bucket, swab and big jug of vinegar to sterilize the floors.

Then the Sun Decided to Come Out

 

  So, I stripped down to my t-shirt and sat down in the sunshine, smoking cigarettes.

 

Dang, that sun felt good !

It takes a long time for that vinegar smell to fade and, the floors to dry.

So, I went for a walk.

Then the Sun Disappeared

 

Well, most of the puddles from my most mopping job were dry.

And, the stench of the vinegar was fading.

So, I figured it was time to go to work and do a photo essay.

Some of the agencies, I deal with are government people.  Groan.

They give me headaches.

How come I have to: PROVE YOU ARE A HUMAN ?

What do they think my dogs are the ones doing all this work ?

Unfortunately, I never attended Captcha Code College.  Not to my knowledge, anyway.

So, I'm always screwing-up their codes.

Lots of those government folks give you the chance, to listen to the code.

But, that only works if you can hear.

After a few hours of guessing codes and passwords and proving I'm human, I gotterdun.

I hope.

 

Nearly 60% of the Audience Here Comes from Japan

 

 

The little praying mantis up there reminded me of something, I forget, sometimes.

Whenever you use slang, it should be explained to those who use English as a second language.

Well, after a day like today, it's time for me to bug out of here.

More About Kijimuna 



Travel Photo: Could Use Some Help--Need ID on Gal

Getting Up There in Age

 

Not that I'm getting old or, anything like that.

Sometimes, I just forget little things.

Like, I promised this gal, I'd send her a photo if she consented to me taking her picture.

Now, I made a nice print and can't remember her name or, address.

They have some government people who watch Facebook all the time.  Don't they ? 

I reckon, they might know who she is.

Or, do you think they are too busy watching ships go through the Panama Canal ?

Anyway, I'll post this over on Facebook and see what my friends can do.

Give me a holler, anytime, if you can ID her.  OK ?

More Caves on Okinawa Yea Buddy !

The Map It Okinawa Dude came by today.

And he said, "I found some new caves."

There must be an unlimited supply of caves on the island of Okinawa.

If we ever run out of caves to go into, around here, we'll just go to some other islands.

There are over 100 more islands, we haven't been to, yet.

They have something like, 160 islands in the whole Ryukyu Island Chain.

Somebody, from the Government of Japan should draft us into service.

We could be like, the official cave-hunters for the Ministry of Caves, or something, like that.

This place wasn't flip-flop friendly so, I wore shoes and socks.

There is a little bit of a stream running through the place.

It doesn't look too deep.

But, I have proof that, in spots, you can get wet, up to your wallet.

Tomorrow, will be a flip-flop day, for me.  The shoes and socks are drying.

And, it's time for me to get some Okinawa spirits.

The kind you need to drink in order to chase a cold away before it takes over your body !

  
NOT FLIP-FLOP FRIENDLY

Visit my website for today's Feature Photo

Tree in Bloom: Deigo, The Prefectural Flower of Okinawa (Photo)

This photo was taken in Naha Okinawa, Japan last Sunday while out searching for the torii in the last Then and Now post, Gokoku Shrine.

Designated as the Prefectural Flower of Okinawa in 1972, the plant is originally from India.

You could call it the Indian Coral Bean Tree if you like.

Erythrina Orientalis Murray is alright, too, if you want to speak like a scientist.

This information comes right off a government website. 

So, if anybody wants to argue, that's where they should go.

What I plan on doing is finding a deigo tree full of those red flowers.

It seems like I've never been in the right place at the right time to catch a photo of those flowers

when they are in their prime.  We'll have to see what we can do about that.

If you see me heading towards one of those trees with my camera this year,  you'd better not let

me catch you picking them.

It'd be a lot better if you just went and argued with the government. 


All I want is a pretty picture of a Prefectural Flower and I'm gonna get one.

 

Bloggers Of The World: Did You Know You Have RIghts ?

 

Anyone who has followed this blog more than a few days knows RyukyuMike likes photography, the Ryukyu Islands, travel, wildlife, dogs, pretty women (maybe, some not so pretty women), children, humor and beer not necessarily in any particular order.  I like to laugh and joke.  I like to see people lend a helping hand to other people.  Today, without any humor,  I want to tell you something about the Electronic Frontier Foundation.  

I am a contributing member, (giving them a small annual donation) and if you are a blogger you should consider joining, too.  

You don't have to give them a penny if you don't want to.  It's absolutely FREE.


The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a USA based non-profit organization that is looking after the rights you have as a blogger. It doesn't matter where in the world you do your blogging or what country you may be a citizen of.  These folks work to protect individuals like you and I from government interference, legal threats and violations of our personal freedoms as writers.


Living in Okinawa, Japan I am not too concerned with every dingbat lawsuit I read about going on back in the good old USA.  So, I can't say every action the EFF takes gets 100% of my support.  But,  when it comes to bloggers rights, you just can't beat them.  Go have a look, yourself by clicking on the banner above.  

When you get to the site take a peek at some of my favorites:

BLOGGER'S RIGHTS and TEACHING COPYRIGHT.  You can learn a lot.  And it's FREE !


PHOTO OF THE DAY